Canada Residency
This five-day advanced training, to be held at the fabulous Paletta Mansion, will suit professionals involved in all aspects of child protection and child welfare.
The residency is equally targeted at deepening frontline workers’ use of the Signs of Safety while also equipping senior practitioners, supervisors and managers to take the lead in implementing the approach within their agency.
"To have the opportunity as a Child Protection worker to talk about the work that I do with families, and to feel honored in the process was amazing. I am very glad that I allowed myself to be vulnerable, and thankful Andrew created a space to do this."
Bridgette von Cordes-Bertrand
Child Protection Worker
Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota USA
"The residency surpassed all of my expectations. I developed a strong understanding of what this practice development journey looks like through the eyes of those actually doing the work, as well as those who supervise cases and those managing organizations. The balance that Andrew skillfully achieved between “stand and deliver” training and group interaction was perfect for me."
Dan Despard
Director Child Welfare
Office of Child and Family Services, Maine USA
The training will particularly focus on:
- Collaborative, safety-organised risk assessment using the signs of safety assessment framework
- ‘Mapping’ and supervising cases using the signs of safety framework.
- Building rigorous, sustainable safety plans that involve the family and their own naturally occurring networks
- Methods for talking openly to the children about child protection concerns and involving them in assessment and safety planning work
- Building a culture of appreciative inquiry around practice and practitioners in the workplace.
- Interviewing and questioning skills that facilitate these practices
- Organisational implementation strategies, structures and processes.
All of the training will be grounded in actual North American and international case material, including video footage of practitioner and parents describing their experience of the practice. Andrew will demonstrate all of the skills and involve participants in many participative learning exercises to provide plenty of opportunity to practice.
Participants are encouraged to bring cases they would like to consult on and plenty of time will be available to discuss implementing this approach in their context.
All participants will be sent advanced reading and an extensive handout package will be provided at the training.
The Department for Child Protection in West Australia has chosen November 12, 13 and 14, 2012 for its second Signs of Safety Gathering. All 17 districts from around the state will present as well as three international presentations. This Gathering will provide an end-to-end picture of a comprehensive system-wide Signs of Safety implementation. Participants from overseas and elsewhere in Australia are welcome though places will be limited.
