Training simulations

Using the 'serious game' concept can allow you to experience the kind of situations that arise when working in a profession that involves child protection. Whatever stage you have reached in your career, our simulations offer a unique way to evaluate child protection situations in a realistic but also completely safe environment. 

The training allows you to enhance your skills as a practitioner and learn how to use the simulations when working with children and young people, See below for the range of child protection topics covered. 

Child sexual abuse

Rosie 1 is an immersive simulation in child protection training for professionals. It is free to use and gives you the opportunity to go on a virtual statutory home visit to a young girl following a referral from her nursery. You are able to make conversational choices with the family, explore the environment and ultimately safeguard Rosie.

Neglect

In Rosie 2, a joint visit by a health visitor and social worker at nine-year-old Rosie’s home allows you to explore the boundaries and challenges of inter-professional practice. Spot the signs of neglect, learn about multi-agency perspectives and priorities and communication skills for working with families with complex needs.

Courtroom skills

myCourtroom: Rosie’s family goes to court provides an insight into the family court arena and its procedures. Rosie is 11 years old in this simulation which was developed with the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) for professionals and young people. This innovative tool offers a safe medium for users to explore court skills and develop good practice in court work in a child protection context.

Radicalisation and online grooming

Maryam and Joe: Behind Closed Doors was funded by the Home Office to address routes to radicalisation and extremism. It educates professionals and young people on the dangers of grooming for radicalisation via social media and through face-to-face contact.

Zak at University is an engaging learning tool based on a social-media-style interface. It increases practitioners' confidence and raises awareness of radicalisation and online grooming. It was developed with Kent Police (Special Branch) and Kent County Council. Due to demand, an additional option Young Zak the Gamer has been included to look at over-sharing information through gaming.

Child sexual exploitation

Looking out for Lottie was developed with NHS Kent, Surrey and Sussex, and updated in collaboration with the NSPCC. Lottie is designed to raise awareness of, and to prevent, child sexual exploitation and grooming. It is styled to incorporate aspects of the latest social media apps to appeal to young people. 

It won The Guardian University Award for Digital Innovation 2016. 

Gangs, knife crime and county lines

Crossing the Line training uses a contextual safeguarding approach to inform practice. The approach of contextual safeguarding was originally developed by Dr Carlene Firmin at the University of Bedfordshire's Contextual Safeguarding Network.