Celebrating Accreditation — and the Ripple Effect of Training
Last Friday, I was delighted to hear that my portfolio had achieved the highest standards to earn NSPCC Accredited Safeguarding and Child Protection Trainer status. This recognition means a great deal to me, as personal and professional development are deeply ingrained in who I am – to the point where you could almost say they’re part of my DNA.
Regardless of your area of work or level of expertise, our knowledge and understanding of the world are continually evolving. Learning is a lifelong process, and we draw from a wide range of sources – from books and academic journals to documentaries and programmes, from formal training courses to government publications and online resources.
Importantly, we also learn from each other. While teachers, lecturers, and trainers bring valuable expertise, they are not the only source of learning in any environment. As students, delegates, or peers, we can learn just as much from those around us. In fact, the most confident and self-assured educators understand that teaching is a two-way process – one where sharing knowledge goes hand in hand with being open to new perspectives and insights.
While financial security is a factor in what I do, my overriding motivation for establishing a training company stems from my long-held belief in the power of knowledge and education – and the life-changing impact they can have on children and young people. But not necessarily in the way you might first think.
I began my career in independent residential special schools, where as a care worker I could directly influence the lives of perhaps seven young people. That number doubled when I became a senior care worker. Later, as a Team Leader, I worked with 60–70 young people each day. Over the months and years, that added up to potentially thousands of individual lives impacted.
However, when you step into the role of trainer and educator, the potential for impact becomes truly breathtaking. Over the past 20 years, I have had the privilege of training thousands of adults who work with vulnerable children and young people. My training topics have ranged from safeguarding and child protection to anti-bullying, child sexual exploitation, positive behaviour support, risk-taking behaviour, running away, missing from home and care, and rescue from ligature.
If those thousands of trained professionals each supported just 20 children and young people in their entire career, the ripple effect would extend to well over 20,000 lives – and that’s a conservative estimate.
As someone who was a Looked After Child myself, I know beyond any doubt the profound impact of good relationships and best practice. Even after 40 years, I can still recall the children’s home staff who were honest, respectful, and firm but fair. Their values became part of my very being – as both a parent and a professional.
Sadly, I also remember the staff who were mean, petty, and ultimately abusive. I don’t know how much training they received, but I suspect it was minimal, if it existed at all.
My goal as a trainer is clear: to have the most tremendous positive impact possible on the lives of children and young people – by equipping professionals in education, health, justice, social care, and sport with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to do their best work.
For more details about the sessions we offer, please visit our Services: Teaching, Training, and Course Evaluation page.
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