Child Protection for Teachers (FutureLearn)

Teachers in many countries are required by law to report certain types of child abuse and neglect to relevant child protection authorities. Some nations are on the cusp of introducing mandatory reporting obligations, or have policy-based duties for reporting. All teachers can benefit from increased awareness and understanding of their roles in child protection.

What topics will you cover?

- The warning signs and indicators of different types of child abuse and neglect

- The roles of teachers and other professionals in recognising and reporting suspected cases of child abuse and neglect

- Key elements of child protection legislation and policy

- Characteristics of effective school-based prevention programs

What will you achieve?

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

- Identify the warning signs and indicators of child abuse and neglect subtypes.

- Describe the key elements of child protection legislation and policy relevant to your school context.

- Assess where child abuse and neglect prevention fits within school curriculum, and become familiar with the most effective pedagogies for implementing prevention initiatives.

- Reflect on your role as a mandatory reporter and staff member in a child-safe organisation.

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for teaching staff and education leaders who want to improve their professional practice. It may also be of interest to student support staff, including teacher aides, school counsellors, chaplains, etc.