Background
Working as a qualified teacher and Designated Safeguarding Lead in schools, I began using Protective Behaviours with children in education, mainly aged 3-11 years. After completing the Specialist Practitioner training and gaining a broad range of experience using Protective Behaviours with children for universal 'whole class' experiences as well as intervention-type work for children with multi-agency involvement and those in the care of the Local Authority, I decided to embark on the Trainer pathway. I trained as a trainer under the mentoring of Sally Ann Hart, a highly experienced and, I think, an incredibly skilled Protective Behaviours trainer.
Having thought about ways that children can communicate their thoughts and feelings, hopes and worries, I developed a training workshop session about The Voice of the Child. Based on the Protective Behaviours process for people working with children and young people, it can help redefine what professionals think the term 'Voice of the Child' means and find safer ways of talking with children. It is really important to me that children can feel as safe as possible when sharing their “awful” or "small" with adults, and finding ways of asking for help.
Working with colleagues who teach in dance schools, I support with advice, developing systems and providing basic safeguarding awareness training which is underpinned by the Protective Behaviours process.
