Child protection: From examination to court [CPEC] (Level 3)
On this course, you will learn about the structure, language, specifications and usage of medical reports that support good decision making at different stages of the child protection process (including court proceedings).
What is the course about?
Paediatricians have a key role in providing written medical reports that are used to make multiagency decisions in child protection cases and which may also require presenting as a professional witness in family, criminal or civil proceedings.
On this course, you will learn about the structure, language, specifications (including those expected by different court systems) and usage of medical reports that support good decision making at different stages of the child protection process.
You will be given the opportunity to testify in a mock trial scenario (using a report you will have written as part of the course) with dedicated legal experts providing guidance and feedback to help build your confidence.
In addition, you will learn more about key areas of knowledge in child protection, ensuring you are equipped to deal with all common concerns that arise in child protection cases.
This course supports delegates to meet their Level 3 safeguarding competencies as outlined by the Intercollegiate document.
Check out our current course listings (opens in same window) to see if this course is open for booking. If it’s not listed, register your interest below.
This course is next scheduled to run in 2025.
Target audience
- Paediatric specialty trainees ST5-7
- SAS doctors
- Consultant paediatricians
Course aim and learning outcomes:
Aim:
To equip paediatricians with the skills to gather evidence to create medical reports that support effective decision making at all stages of the child protection process including court proceedings.
Learning outcomes:
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Produce professional witness reports to the court’s required specifications
- Testify in court as a professional witness with the skills and confidence required to provide the best possible outcomes for the child
- Deal with common child protection concerns that arise in your clinical practice
Faculty lead
Dr Vicki Walker
RCPCH Assistant Officer for Child Protection
Dr Walker is a Consultant Paediatrician in Mansfield and the Designated Dr for Looked After Children in Nottinghamshire. She was appointed to the RCPCH Child Protection Standing Committee in February 2019 working with the College to support paediatricians, progress training and improve health outcomes for Looked After Children, with an interest in education and migrant health. She continues to work at a national level jointly with the RCN, NNDHP and CoramBAAF.
She has worked as a Named Dr for safeguarding and is the clinical editor for the eLfH level three safeguarding children. She was appointed as the RCPCH Assistant Officer for Child Protection in April 2022.
Delegate feedback
Really fantastic course, range of resources and the different teaching vs workshops was really good. The court practice was very useful, and the day was just run so well.
It made me confident to take actions, it helped me organise my thoughts about the topic and the right way to approach the child with safeguarding concerns. The most important take home massage to me was the importance of the documentations and how detailed it must be, as you may be asked about months after seeing the child.