Parental Mental Illness And Child Protection  (A Level 3 Course) 

Course Outline

A 2 day  course which will look at various types of mental illness and the effects on individual functioning. The course will look at how mental illness may impact upon a parent’s ability to care for and respond appropriately to children’s needs. Multi-agency roles in protecting children in these circumstances and working with families where mental illness features will also be addressed. Information on current research findings, lessons from enquiries, national and local guidance will also be discussed.

Aims/Objectives

• To discuss and explore the impact on children of parental mental illness.
• To raise awareness of how living with a parent with a mental health problem impacts upon children’s day to day life.
• To promote a multi-agency approach to working with and providing services for children in these circumstances.
• To provide information on national guidance and local procedures on working with families experiencing parental mental illness.

Learning Outcomes – at the end of this course participants will:

• Understand the nature and impact of parental mental illness upon children.
• Be aware of how this impacts on children’s day to day lives.
• Be familiar with local procedures and national guidance relating to working with families in these circumstances.
• Understand their own and other agency roles in identifying, assessing and protecting vulnerable children where parental mental illness is a feature.

Target Staff

This course is designed for staff who:

• provide services for children, including children  who are looked after or particularly vulnerable i.e. disabled children,
• are involved in child protection as part of their work,
• are involved with adults with mental health problems where those adults are also parents.
• have completed the Child Protection Practice and Procedures course prior to attending.

Trainers

To be confirmed

Related Common Core of Knowledge and Skills

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children

Communication, recording and reporting

• Undertake (formal or informal) assessments and be alert to concerns about a child or young person’s safety or welfare, including unexplained changes in behaviour and signs of abuse or neglect.

Personal skills

• Understand the different forms of abuse and their impact on children’s development

Relate, Recognise and take considered action

• Understand what is meant by safeguarding and the different ways in which children and young people can be harmed (including by other children and young people and through the internet).
• Understand the key role of parents and carers in safeguarding and promoting children and young people’s welfare and involve them accordingly, while recognising factors that can affect parenting and increase the risk of abuse (for example domestic violence).
• Understand that signs of abuse can be subtle and be expressed in play, artwork and the way children and young people approach relationships with other children and/or adults.

Multi-agency working

Procedures and working methods

• Know about the Common Assessment Framework for Children and Young people (CAF) and where appropriate, how to use it.

Communication and teamwork

• Work in a team context, forging and sustaining relationships across agencies and respecting the contribution of others working with children, young people and families