Safeguarding in the digital world (Level 3)
This one day course looks at both the potential benefits and the potential harms of the online world for children and young people, and how paediatricians can best support them to use this environment well.
What is the course about?
Over the last twenty years, the online environment has become an established part of everyday life. Children and young people may be using digital technology to participate in education, recreational activities and to connect with friends and family – for them, it’s just part of how they interact with the world.
However, it’s clear that this world is not without a spectrum of risks with a number of real-world implications affecting children and young people’s health and wellbeing.
This course provides an opportunity for in-depth analysis and discussion around key issues related to safeguarding in this environment.
This course is part of the RCPCH’s Safeguarding (Level 3) series which contributes towards delegates meeting 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.
Target audience
- Paediatric trainees (all levels)
- SAS doctors
- Consultant paediatricians
Because of the focus on UK legislation, policy and practice, this course is best suited to paediatricians working in the UK (note standard safeguarding policies and procedures will not be covered in this course).
Course aim and learning outcomes:
Aim:
To equip paediatricians with an understanding of issues within the online environment that may have safeguarding implications for children and young people, and the skills to address them.
Learning outcomes:
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Describe national themes and trends of online behaviours that may have safeguarding implications for children and young people
- Recognise signs of common online behaviours in children and young people within the clinical setting
- Outline how to support children, young people and their families to maximise the benefits offered by the digital world whilst minimising the risks.
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
Since this course I feel confident in asking children how they are using the internet, and asking how their parents are supervising them and empowering them to ask their children questions and learn from them about their internet use.
Every speaker was excellent, it's not often you can say that about a full day course!