One Day Signs and Indicators of Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) Training - (04/06/2024)

Better Futures provides Assessment, Therapeutic Intervention, Consultation, and Training services for children with sexualised histories across Wales. This includes children who have been the victims of sexual abuse; display Harmful Sexual Behaviour; and children who are at risk of or are abused through Child Sexual Exploitation.

Child sexual abuse can have a devastating and long-term impact on all those affected by it. While the impact of CSA is unique to the individual, we know that early identification, safeguarding and access to timely recovery support that meets the needs of those affected, can help reduce the risk of adverse outcomes in many areas for the child and family.

Supporting those working with children and young people to be aware of the Signs and Indicators of CSA, as well as the process to escalate their concerns when needed, is key to early identification and prevention.

This course is designed to raise awareness of the Signs and Indicators of CSA across a range of contexts, including familial and extra familial harm and harm that occurs within on and offline spaces. It will equip those attending to recognise the signs and indicators of CSA for younger children, and teenagers, taking gender, ethnicity, disability and cultural responsivity into account.

The training will also consider communication with children, young people and families where sexual abuse is suspected or known.

This training aims to help professionals increase their knowledge of the Signs and Indicators of CSA as well as develop skills and techniques in recording and communicating their concerns within professional arenas and with children, young people and families.

This course will use case studies, exercises, role play and discussion to help professionals to reflect on their practice as well as build confidence when working with children and young people where there are concerns regarding CSA.

Following this training delegates will be able to:

• Recognise the Signs and Indicators of CSA for younger children and teenagers.
• Recognise the Signs and Indicators of CSA within a range of contexts including familial, extra familial, on and offline.
• Recognise behavioural indicators of those who may seek to abuse children and young people.
• Identify barriers to identification of CSA for those working with children and young people.
• Understand the importance of record keeping and information sharing where child sexual abuse is known or suspected.
• Communicate with children, young people and families where there are known or suspected concerns of CSA.
• Identify the need for practitioner self-care.