Caring for Vulnerable Children (FutureLearn)

You’ll explore definitions of risk and vulnerability, good enough parenting, child development, and fostering meaningful relationships and attachments, examining these issues in the real-life context of budget cuts and increasing child poverty

What topics will you cover?

- What is meant and understood by the term vulnerability and risk?

- Assessing risk in various scenarios: exploring the links between poverty and risk and examine how risk is portrayed by the media and government

- Exploring theories of attachment and child development

- Examining developmental theories around the concept of containment

- Important considerations when communicating with children

- The power of touch and some of the problems associated with touch

- Elements and characteristics of child care practice

- Love and other important aspects of caring for vulnerable children?

- The challenge of caring for children in a risk averse context

- The Children’s Hearings System in Scotland explained

- Debates on the subject of care in today’s society

- Will the future bring changes in the way we care for vulnerable young people?

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you'll be able to...

- Explain the concepts of vulnerability, risk and good enough parenting

- Explore the concepts of attachment, containment and child development

- Evaluate the ways in which adults and carers can communicate with children and young people

- Explore possible ways to intervene in the lives of children and young people who are experiencing vulnerability and risk

- Reflect on the events surrounding the assessment and removal of vulnerable and at risk children and young people from their family homes

- Reflect upon some of the current challenges involved in responding to, and working with, vulnerable children and young people

Who is the course for?

This course will be suitable if you:

- have no direct experience of the child care field, but want to develop your career towards it;

- have recently entered the field and have little experience;

- have some experience and are interested in developing your qualifications further;

- find it difficult to access opportunities for training and development.