Welcome to the Learning and Practice Development page.
Fife Council offers seven Multi Agency Child Protection Courses. Details are below. All courses are for the Specific Workforce in relation to Child Protection. For more details on workforce levels please visit Child protection learning and development 2024: national framework - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) and read the section on Core Competencies
Child Protection Committee Multi Agency Training
Prerequisites & Considerations before applying for a Course
By requesting to enrol in any of these courses, you are confirming that you:
- Are part of the Specific or Intensive Child Protection Workforce within your own organisation (confirm this with your own CP lead if required or email sara.williamson@fife.gov.uk) Childminders are included in these groups
- Have line manager approval (apart from childminders)
- Are willing to share learning with your team and/or organisation/networks
- Can attend both days if applying for CPC Multi Agency Child Protection Procedures (Level 2 Specific and Intensive)
- Your single agency training is fully up to date
- Course 1 - CPC Multi Agency Child Protection Procedures – 2 full days
- Course 2 - CPC Multi Agency Child Protection and Families Affected by Disability
- Course 3 - CPC Multi Agency Child Protection and Substance use – Impact on children and families
- Course 4 - CPC Multi Agency Child Protection and Return Home Welfare Interviews
- Course 5 - CPC Multi Agency Child Protection and Poor Parental Mental Health
- Course 6 - CPC Multi Agency Child Protection for Social Workers (and others) working with Adults (16+)
- Course 7 - CPC Multi Agency Child Protection Planning Meetings (CPPM)
- Course 8 - CPC Multi Agency IRD Participants Practice Development Sessions (Intensive Workforce Only)
- Course 9 - CPC Multi Agency Court Skills for staff supporting children (Proof Hearings)
- Course 10: CPC Multi Agency Introductory Workshop: National Guidance for Child Protection in Fife
Booking reminders:
- Fife Council staff must book these courses via Oracle
- External partners book via the website (Book a Child Protection Training Course)
Target audiences:
- These courses are not appropriate if your role does not extend past the reporting stage (the training you require is single agency General workforce training)
- You have a responsibility within your own workforce to support families during and after a Child Protection Investigation
- The courses are open to a wide range of staff and places are extremely limited. We can only accept one member of staff from any single team per offering. Someone in a position to cascade learning to a team should attend
Possible Staff Groups (this list is not exhaustive. Fife Council staff book on Oracle):
Education: Early Years: EYLO, SEYO. Primary: PT, DHT or HT. Secondary: PT of Pastoral Support or Guidance, DHT for any year group or remit, HT. Special Schools & Pupil Support Service: all staff. Independent Schools: any pastoral or management role.
Health: Perinatal, Midwifery, Health Visitor, Paediatrician, GP, Dentist, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Practice Nurse, Child Protection Nurse Advisor, CAMHS, Adult Mental Health or any other role as appropriate, CHAS (Children’s Hospices Across Scotland), Allied Health Professionals
Police Scotland: Any staff working within the Public Protection Unit or as advised by a manager
Social Work: Children and Families, MST, EST, Family Support Service, Residential Childcare, Justice Service, Young People's Team
Housing: Any management role, HMO, HOO
Scottish Children Reporter Administration: Any role as advised by a manager
Private Residential: Any staff
Private Childcare or Nursery: Any staff in a management role
Third Sector: DAPL, Clued Up, Fife Women Aid, Fife Gingerbread, The Cottage, YMCA, KASP, Fife Voluntary Action, FRASAC, Barnardos, Families First, Lift Off, Families Outside, Fife Young Carers, Aberlour
Community Learning & Development: Team Leaders, CLD Workers, Youth Workers
Scottish Fire and Rescue – Any member of staff as agreed by a manager
Armed Forces (Army and RAF) – Any member of staff working within First Line Welfare and Second Line Welfare
Royal Navy Family and People Support - Any member of staff within Primary or Secondary Welfare
Other: Foster Carers, Respite, Supported Lodgings, Childminders
Course 1 - CPC Multi Agency Child Protection Procedures – 2 full days
This course runs over two days. You must attend both days. Please note in your application that you can definitely attend both days
Course Description
- Be aware of the new National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland 2021 (updated 2023)
- Be aware of Fife’s implementation of the new National Guidance; Where We Are and Where We Are Going
- Be aware of the updated procedures in Fife specifically to Pre Birth IRD, ACRA IRD, CARM IRD, Child Protection Planning Meetings and Information Sharing
- Be aware of the key concepts of Contextual Safeguarding
- Recognise the signs of abuse and neglect
- Know how to report a concern
- Understand the process that happens after a concern is raised (both with the Social Work Contact Centre, the Child Abuse Investigation Team and the Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration)
- Understand the IRD, JII, Medicals, SCIM processes as well as how Housing can support a vulnerable family
- Understand and be able to apply relevant legislation and guidance
- Understand issues of consent and confidentiality
Pre-requisite Learning and Knowledge
- CPC GIRFEC and Child Protection E-learning (or NHS/Police Scotland equivalent).
- Robust and up-to-date child protection training within your own organisation.
- Discussion with your line manager (excluding childminders) before submitting an application.
Date, Time and Venue
- 16th January 2025, 9:30am to 4:30pm at Bankhead, Glenrothes (day 1)
- 23rd January 2025, 9:30am to 4:30pm at Bankhead, Glenrothes (day 2)
- 19th March 2025, 9:30am to 4:30pm at Bankhead, Glenrothes (day 1)
- 26th March 2025, 9:30am to 4:30pm at Kirkcaldy Town House* (day 2)
- 12th June 2025, 9:30am to 4:30pm at Bankhead, Glenrothes (day 1)
- 19th June 2025, 9:30am to 4:30pm at Kirkcaldy Town House* (day 2)
- 4th September 2025, 9:30am to 4:30pm at Bankhead, Glenrothes (day 1)
- 11th September 2025, 9:30am to 4:30pm at Bankhead, Glenrothes (day 2)
- 4th November 2025, 9:30am to 4:30pm at Bankhead, Glenrothes (day 1)
- 13th November 2025, 9:30am to 4:30pm at Bankhead, Glenrothes (day 2)
*Parking - For any training sessions that take place in Kirkcaldy we recommend you park at the train station which is free parking and walk down (5 minutes).
Course 2 - CPC Multi Agency Child Protection and Families Affected by Disability
Course Description
- Increase knowledge about the abuse and neglect of children and young people with disabilities.
- Understand current legislation, guidance and terminology.
- Learning from Learning Reviews.
Pre-requisite Learning and Knowledge
- CPC GIRFEC & Child Protection E-learning (or NHS/Police Scotland equivalent).
- Robust and up-to-date child protection training within your own organisation.
- Discussion with your line manager (excluding childminders) before submitting an application.
Date, Time and Venue
- 6th March 2025, 9:30am to 4:30pm at Bankhead, Glenrothes
- 21st August 2025, 9:30am to 4:30pm at Bankhead, Glenrothes
- 23rd October 2025, 9:30am to 4:30pm at Bankhead, Glenrothes
Course 3 - CPC Multi Agency Child Protection and Substance use – Impact on children and families
Course Description
- Local & National context
- Impact on children of parental use
- Impact on children from their own use
- Working across a partnership
- Child’s point of view/recovery/ whole family recovery
- Child Protection Procedures
Pre-requisite Learning and Knowledge
- CPC GIRFEC & Child Protection E-learning (or NHS/Police Scotland equivalent).
- Scottish Drugs Forum E-Learning: Drug Awareness – An Introductory Course.
- Robust and up-to-date child protection training within your own organisation.
- Discussion with your line manager (excluding childminders) before submitting an application
Date, Time and Venue
- 9th January 2025, 9:30am to 4:30pm at Bankhead, Glenrothes
- 24th April 2025, 9:30am to 4:30pm at Bankhead, Glenrothes
- 2nd October 2025, 9:30am to 4:30pm at Bankhead, Glenrothes
Course 4 - CPC Multi Agency Child Protection and Return Home Welfare Interviews
Course Description
This course is for staff who would become notified of a child missing from their home or placement, either directly by Police or via the VPD system.
Staff attending this training would have a role in supporting a child after a missing episode to hold a Return Home Welfare Interview (which aims to reduce the frequency of missing episodes):
- The aim of this course is to support staff to feel empowered to carry out Return Home Welfare Interviews with children who have been reported missing.
Pre-requisite Learning and Knowledge
- Staff will ideally complete an e-learning module hosted by Missing People UK (details supplied after registration) before attending.
Date, Time and Venue
- 3rd April 2025, 9:30am to 12:30pm at Bankhead, Glenrothes
- 24th September 2025, 9:30am to 12:30pm at Bankhead, Glenrothes
- 4th December 2025, 9:30am to 12:30pm at Bankhead, Glenrothes
Course 5 - CPC Multi Agency Child Protection and Poor Parental Mental Health
Course Description
- To raise awareness for the workforce about risks and protective factors in relation to mental ill health and child protection
- To empower professionals to respond appropriately
- To support professionals to keep the child at the centre when thinking of parental ill mental health
- To explain child protection procedures in relation to child protection (overview only)
Pre-requisite Learning and Knowledge
- Candidates will be expected to have a baseline knowledge of some mental health topics before attending. Your prior learning will depend on your prior knowledge. This information will be sent to learners prior to the course.
Date, Time and Venue
- 13th March 2025, 9:30am to 4:30pm at Bankhead, Glenrothes
- 29th May 2025, 9:30am to 4:30pm at Bankhead, Glenrothes
- 30th October 2025, 9:30am to 4:30pm at Bankhead, Glenrothes
Course 6 - CPC Multi Agency Child Protection for Social Workers (and others) working with Adults (16+)
Course Description
- Types of abuse and neglect
- Contextual Safeguarding
- Discuss the overlaps in legislation for young people aged 16,17 and 18 in the arenas of Child Protection and Adult Support and Protection
- Consider scenarios and how to approach them
- Explore Fife’s Child Protection procedures (including CARM)
Pre-requisite Learning and Knowledge
- CPC GIRFEC & Child Protection E-learning (or NHS/Police Scotland equivalent).
- Robust and up-to-date child protection training within your own organisation.
- Discussion with your line manager before submitting an application.
Date, Time and Venue
- 5th December 2024, 2:00pm to 4:30pm on MS Teams
- 12th March 2025, 9:30am to 12:00pm on MS Teams
- 10th September 2025, 9:30am to 12:00pm on MS Teams
- 8th December 2025, 9:30am to 12:00pm on MS Teams
Course 7 - CPC Multi Agency Child Protection Planning Meetings (CPPM)
Course Description
CPPMs were previously known as Child Protection Case Conferences.
- This course is designed to better help professionals understand the Child Protection Planning Meeting process.
Pre-requisite Learning and Knowledge
Child protection planning meetings | Iriss Courses
If possible, complete this online course before attending
This course is for staff who are not familiar with CPPM – previously known as CPCC Child Protection Case Conferences. If you are familiar with this process this course will not benefit you.
Suitable for:
- Social Work - Any C&F or FSS Worker in their first year
- Police – As directed by management
- Health – School Nurse, Health Visitor, GP, Paediatrician, VIP Midwife, CAMHS or as directed by management
- Education - DHT, HT, PT Guidance or ASN, Early Years as appropriate to setting
- Housing – As directed by management
- Others - Advocacy, Barnardos, Youth Workers, etc
Date, Time and Venue
- 26th February 2025, 2:00pm to 4:30pm at Bankhead, Glenrothes
- 9th May 2025, 9:30am to 12:00pm at Bankhead, Glenrothes
- 12th November 2025, 9:30am to 12:00pm at Bankhead, Glenrothes
Course 8 - CPC Multi Agency IRD Participants Practice Development Sessions (Intensive Workforce Only)
Course Description
This session is a multi-agency reflective forum for IRD participants only. Topics that will be discussed include, but are not limited to:
- JII/SCIM
- CARM/ACRA
- Medical Examinations
- IRD Processes
- Moving to CPPM from IRD
- Purpose and Function of CPPM
- Interim Safety Planning
- Recording Decisions
- Pre Birth IRD Learning
- Thresholds
Pre-requisite Learning and Knowledge
You will hold a post within NHS or Police Scotland whereby you could be invited to an IRD meeting.
Date, Time and Venue
- 14th January 2025, 9:30am to 12:30pm at Fife Voluntary Action, Caledonia House, Pentland Park, Saltire Centre, Glenrothes, KY6 2AL
- 11th March 2025, 1:30pm to 4:30pm at County Buildings, Cupar
- 14th May 2025, 9:30am to 12:30pm at Fife Young Carers, Unit H, Newark Road North, Eastfield Industrial Estate, Glenrothes, KY7 4NT
- 28th August 2025, 1:30pm to 4:30pm at Fife Voluntary Action, Caledonia House, Pentland Park, Saltire Centre, Glenrothes, KY6 2AL
Course 9 - CPC Multi Agency Court Skills for staff supporting children (Proof Hearings)
Course Description
- To understand what you are seeking to achieve as a witness
- To understand the expectations of a witness
- To support families going through the proof hearing process (family court)
Pre-requisite Learning and Knowledge
- To attend court either as part of your role or as a member of the public (any court is fine) to observe
- To create some questions you wish to ask the Sherriff at the session
Date, Time and Venue
No offerings available at this time – please check back later
Course 10: CPC Multi Agency Introductory Workshop: National Guidance for Child Protection in Fife
Course Description
To understand how the new National Guidance for Child Protection 2021 (updated 2023) is being implemented in Fife.
This is a short workshop. Further, more in depth training is available in relation to the new National Guidance should you require or desire it for your role. (See Course 1)
Pre-requisite Learning and Knowledge
Suitable for:
- Staff working in NHS Fife, Police Scotland, Third Sector, SCRA and Independent Care Settings
- Recommended for new starts
- Experienced staff are welcome to attend as a refresher
Date, Time and Venue
- 29th January 2025, 10:00am to 12:30pm at Bankhead, Glenrothes
- 27th March 2025, 10:00am to 12:30pm at Bankhead, Glenrothes
- 23rd June 2025, 10:00am to 12:30pm at Bankhead, Glenrothes
- 16th September 2025, 10:00am to 12:30pm at Bankhead, Glenrothes
- 25th November 2025, 10:00am to 12:30pm at Bankhead, Glenrothes
eLearning
Please visit our eLearning site, for all relevant eLearning modules. Some of the modules we offer are:
- Child Protection Awareness Refresher
- Child Sexual Exploitation for Fife Council Partner Organisations
- CPC GIRFEC and Child Protection for Fife Council Partner Organisations
- CPC: Preparation for Court for Fife Council Partner Organisations
- How we Protect Children's Rights with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
- Protecting Children in Scotland for Fife Council Partner Organisations
- Self-Harm and Suicide - Supporting Young People
- TRAUMA: Becoming Trauma Informed (Trauma Tier 1 Training
- TRAUMA: Developing Your Trauma Skilled Practice (Trauma Tier 2 Training)
- Prevent duty training: https://www.support-people-susceptible-to-radicalisation.service.gov.uk/portal#awareness-course Learn how to support people susceptible to radicalisation. All staff should complete Course 1. Further levels as applicable to your role. Should you wish to request a Prevent training input for your organisation please contact laura.thomson@fife.gov.uk (Fife Council Staff) or Paul.Mcilroy@scotland.police.uk (external partners)
Child Protection Training
- An Introduction to Child Protection can be accessed on CALA eLearning website. To access the free courses on this website you will need to register an account. This resource is currently used by NHS Highland and Highland Council; however, it is open to all.
- NHS Education has an online course Protecting Children that is for all staff
- Fife Council Social Work Staff can access the online module - Child Protection Awareness
**We hope to add more in-depth courses in Child Protection online over time**
GIRFEC
The principles and practice of GIRFEC are at the core of what we do in supporting children and young people.
There are a number of resources available to staff across the partner agencies:
- Fife GIRFEC website
- Practice Development Session presentations (Introduction to GIRFEC/Child Wellbeing Pathway; Chronologies; Information Sharing; Wellbeing Meetings and Child’s Plan)
- This information is suitable for staff involved in the child well-being process
- All Fife paperwork is available on this website.
- Argyll & Bute GIRFEC website
- Elearning module suitable for all staff – accessed from the link page above
Learn Pro: Safeguarding Children
This module looks at GIRFEC principles and safeguarding children and is available to all NHS staff via Learn Pro.
Child Protection Planning Meetings (Iriss)
This Child Protection Planning Meetings course supports professionals to understand and improve practice.
This course aims to give you a solid understanding of Child Protection Planning Meetings, including their purpose, process, outcomes, and impact. It will help you recognise your responsibilities in preparing for and participating in these meetings, using the National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland 2021 – Updated 2023 as a basis.
Writing Analysis in Social Care
We have a free online course to support ‘Writing Analysis in Social Care’.
The aim of this course is to provide a practical framework for supporting the writing of analysis in social care records. This course aims to be relevant across social work domains.
Chronology
- CALA eLearning
- This e-learning module is suitable for staff across partner agencies who are involved in writing chronologies as part of professional documentation and contributing to child well-being meetings/children’s plans.
Child’s Plan
- CALA eLearning
- This e-learning module is suitable for staff across partner agencies who are involved in contributing to child’s plans/writing child’s plans.
- **Please note that the paperwork at the end of this module is that used by Highland. The Fife paperwork can be accessed via the GIRFEC Fife website listed above**
Child Sexual Exploitation
- CALA eLearning
- This module is suitable for all staff.
- **The module refers to NHS Highland/Highland Council policy – please note that the Fife Underage Sexual Activity policy is available here**
- Fife Council Social Work staff can access the online module Child Exploitation Awareness
Adverse Childhood Experiences/Psychological Trauma
Fife Trauma Training Collaborative is a multi-agency group that has created some eLearning modules for staff to undertake.
- Tier 1 Training – Becoming Trauma Informed - this is suitable for all staff
- Tier 2 Training – Developing Your Trauma Skilled Practice – this is suitable for practitioners working with children/young people particularly where there is trauma in the background
Fife Trauma Training Collaborative has provided training resources and materials for the modules.
Neglect
National Trauma Training Programme
- NTTP website
- Learning resource PDF
- X - formally Twitter hashtag (#transformingpsychologicaltrauma)
- X - formally Twitter handle (@NES_Psychology)
- E-module - Trauma Skilled practice
- Staff Wellbeing Resources Sway
- Adverse Childhood Experiences info
- Rights of the Child info
- Scotland’s Public Health Priorities
- Trauma Champion info
- Knowledge Hub Community of Practice
- Trauma-Informed Leadership (STILT)
