Training materials for teachers of learners with severe, profound and complex learning difficulties

Staff need theoretical training, secure knowledge and practical mentoring both generally and relating to individual children and young people with SLD/PMLD/CLDD. Focus areas may include:

• Ethos, ethics and practice expectations.
• Relevant policies and procedures.
• Protocols and risk assessments.
• Care plans and planning.
• Personalised routines and consistency.
• Recording and reporting.
• Involvement of others in delivering personal care to a child or young person with SLD/PMLD/CLDD (professionals and families) - rationale and practice.

There should be an expectation of ongoing mentoring in personal care. Ideally, staff need access to a named mentor with whom they can discuss issues that arise.

Safeguarding training will give essential knowledge of:

• Forms of abuse.
• In what situations a child or young person is at risk of abuse.
• Safeguards to minimise the risk of abuse.
• How staff can avoid putting themselves at risk.
• The possible signs, indicators and effects of abuse (this is more complex in children with SLD/PMLD/CLDD).
• How to respond to concern or disclosure of abuse.
• Individuals' responsibilities in relation to suspected or disclosed abuse.
• How to follow the right systems, processes and procedures in your organisation and generally.
• What the UK law says about safeguarding children.

Key practitioner responsibilities in safeguarding include:

• Responding appropriately to concerns, indicators or disclosures of child abuse.
• Following their organisation's safeguarding children procedures and protocols.
• Knowing who to contact about safeguarding concerns or if abuse is suspected or disclosed.
• Putting safeguards in place to minimise the risk of abuse.
• Keeping training updated.

It is important not to take responsibility for deciding if abuse has occurred. Staff responsibility is to raise any suspicions or concerns for the safety of a child or young person with the school's named safeguarding officer or, in an emergency, the police.