Frequently Asked Questions About our Child Safe Training

You may be considering organising training for your team. This FAQ document will answer some common questions about our training. If you have questions that are not covered here please feel free to add them as a comment or contact us directly.

What does “Keeping kids safe beyond compliance” mean?

Organisations will often have compliance indicators or checklists that they have to do for accreditation or to meet regulatory audits. Whilst this is important it can become a tick box process, where only the bare minimum is done, simply to pass inspection. Our training ensures that staff are actually motivated and actively involved in ensuring that the children they work with are safe. Keeping children safe requires a broad range of approaches and ultimately a culture where children’s wellbeing and safety is the priority rather than an organisation simply ticking the boxes.

How does your training differ from the regular online child protection our staff already do?

Growing Futures training is interactive. This means that time is dedicated throughout the sessions to allow staff to reflect on how the material applies to their specific role. Facilitated group discussions allow for the sharing of ideas. Case studies are used to make the material engaging and practical. Many participants have provided feedback that they feel more engaged through this method of training. When training is delivered via Zoom we use breakout rooms to allow for small group discussions.

You are not from an early education/disability support/sport etc background? How does this work.

Whilst our principal consultant, Helen, may not be from the same industry background as participants she has extensive experience working with both perpetrators of abuse and children, families and adults who have experienced harm. It is this experience she draws upon. For example our child safety workshops include information on how to spot offending behaviour and the strategies perpetrators use to access and groom children and the adults around them. This knowledge is essential when developing staff understanding around how to reduce the likelihood of harm and support children to voice concerns. The group discussions also allow for participants to consider the material that has been presented and how it applies in their specific roles.

If we have good policies in place do we still need to consider training?

In short: yes. Policies are important but staff often require further practical support around implementation of the policy and strategies to keep children safe. Our Child Safe training ensures that staff understand why policies are in place and know how to respond to children who may be at risk or report concerns. An example used in our training is that when a child makes a disclosure, staff can’t ask them to wait whilst they re read the policy and figure out how to respond. Often those first immediate responses are crucial. Previous participants have reported that our child safe workshops have left them feeling like they understand why the policy is in place and more confident in knowing what to do if they become concerned a child is at risk.

Why are there participant limits?

When you make a booking with Growing Futures you will be asked how many staff will be attending. The quote is based on that number. This is to ensure enough time is allowed to ensure all staff have time to ask questions and engage in reflective discussion. For larger groups more time may be required.

Why can’t anyone under the age of 18 attend the workshops?

Due to the nature of the content of the workshops Growing Futures has made the decision that all participants must be over the age of 18. Resources will be provided for younger staff and volunteers to access.

Do participants need any prior knowledge?

No. Our facilitator will assess the extent of the participant’s knowledge during the workshop and adjust the content accordingly.

Some of our staff have their own trauma history. Is this training suitable?

This is something that is considered in the development of our workshops. Time is spent at the start of every workshop discussing self care strategies. There is no intention to cause harm to participants and the case examples have been carefully selected to provide enough information for discussion but not too much information. Staff should always be advised in advance that the workshops will include discussion around child abuse. For some participants this may lead to a decision that the workshop is not suitable. We have other options such as eLearning available that may be more suitable. If this is a concern please let us know so we can discuss options.

Do you run workshops outside business hours?

Yes of course. Workshops can be booked during or outside business hours. No extra costs apply based on the time of the workshop as we understand that for many organisations after hours is the only time that works.

Growing Futures is based in Melbourne but we are regional/interstate. Can you still provide training?

Absolutely. Growing Futures has developed training for all States and Territories. There are travel costs associated with the workshops however we will work with you to try make the training as accessible as possible. Online delivery is always available. Some services in regional or interstate areas have also made joint bookings to share the costs.