Sexual Abuse & Risk Assessment
Overview
This course is intended to give social care professionals a greater insight into the complexities and principles of working with families where sexual abuse of children is a feature. This is achieved through;
- Understanding who perpetrators of sexual abuse are, what behaviour they
exhibit and motivations behind offending - Developing more knowledge and understanding of specific perpetrator interventions such as the Sex Offender Treatment Programme (SOTP) and Becoming New Me (BNM). Non statutory interventions will also be explored including “Stop it Now” and “Circles of Support.”
- Risk factors and protective will be identified and linked to assessment tools used by professionals managing SO’s.
- Disclosure is a significant part of the management of sex offenders and the guidelines for this will be explored.
- Delegates will understand the legal framework underpinning the management of Sex Offenders (SOs) with reference to the SO register Sex Offender Prevention Orders (SOPOS), Sarahs law (Home Office disclosure scheme) and the role of the Police and Probation.
Who is the Course Aimed at?
All social care staff, including Youth Justice, Social Workers, Education Professionals and Early Intervention staff who work with children and young people. In particular, those that are involved in risk assessments for families where sexual abuse is a feature
How Long is the Course?
1 Day
Learning Outcomes
- Understand what a “sex offender” is and how this is defined in legislation and practice
- Identify different types of sexual offending and the people who commit them. Particular reference will be made to those offenders who view indecent
images and how this informs risk assessment and management. - Develop a basic understanding of the theoretical base behind sexual offending (Finklehor)
- Develop understanding of dealing with SO’s who travel overseas
- Identify risk assessment tools and acute risk factors to predict sexual reoffending (ARMS assessment, RM2K and SARN
- Increase knowledge of how risk is managed through multi agency (MAPPA) approaches and CJS interventions including the SO register and SOPO’s.
- Understand the role of the police and probation in managing SO’s in the community
- Develop skills in working with children and young people in families where sexual abuse is suspected
- Develop skills in working with perpetrators, specifically where denial, blame and minimisation are a feature.
