In this episode of Together, the team at Safeguarding Children discuss the critical role that training plays in preventing child abuse and neglect, particularly in light of the recent findings from the New Zealand Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry. They explore the need for sector-specific, ongoing training that is not only tailored to the unique needs of various settings—such as state care, faith-based institutions, and sports—but also extends to leaders and decision-makers within these organizations. The conversation addresses common barriers to effective child protection, such as misconceptions and the fear of making mistakes, and stresses the importance of external oversight to ensure that training leads to real, actionable change. This episode underscores that while training is just one component of a comprehensive child safeguarding strategy, it is a foundational step towards creating a safer future for all children in Aotearoa.

Last week, we unpacked the New Zealand Abuse in State Care Report and its key findings.

In today’s follow-up episode, we go deeper into a core recommendation outlined in the Inquiry: The critical role that training plays in preventing child abuse and neglect.

Topics include:

• The Urgent Need for Comprehensive Training: Why mandatory, sector-specific training in safeguarding and child protection is critical across all settings, including state and faith-based care, sports, health, and education.
• Leadership's Role in Safeguarding: The importance of training not just frontline staff, but also high-level managers and leaders to create a culture of safety and ensure the implementation of child protection policies.
• Addressing Misconceptions and Barriers: How training dispels myths, builds confidence, and provides practical tools for recognising and responding to signs of abuse
• External Oversight and Accountability: Why independent audits and external oversight are crucial to ensure that safeguarding practices are not just theoretical but are effectively embedded into everyday practice within organisations.

Enjoy the show!

To learn more about how you can help safeguard children, visit our website ⁠https://www.safeguardingchildren.org.nz

Feel free to reach out via the website, or connect with Willow and Safeguarding Children on LinkedIn⁠.

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