G88(P) Mandatory child protection training: does it make a difference?

Abstract

Aims Healthcare professionals (HCPs) have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people. With increasing financial and clinical pressures, it is essential that mandatory training is based on a strong evidence-base focussing on its economic and clinical value. Despite this, little research is published which effectively evaluates whether mandatory child protection (CP) training impacts the ability of HCPs to respond appropriately to CP issues. This study aims to assess whether those who are compliant with their training perform better in a survey testing responses to common CP scenarios compared to those who are not compliant. It also assesses any variations between HCPs and different CP topics. Methods Data was collected from a closed-question survey distributed via Survey Monkey to all professionals in an NHS Trust who require Level 3 CP Training, excluding the Neonatal Unit or Maternity Ward (n=728). The survey included 10 CP clinical scenarios and respondents were invited to choose the correct response from four multiple-choice answers. Three experimental groups were established with respect to their training: ‘Up to date’, ‘Pending’, and ‘Expired’. 158 questionnaires were completed and returned. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS via a one-way ANOVA (p values Results The respondents who were up to date with their training achieved a higher mean score on the test (58.24%), compared to those in the pending group (54.12%) and the expired group (50.00%). However, there was no statistically significant difference between these three groups (p=0.136). A variety of HCPs responded to the survey and the mean score on the test varied between these professionals. Across all three groups the topic associated with the highest mean score was ‘Legislation’. However, the topics associated with the lowest mean score varied between the groups. Conclusion Since no statistically significant difference in mean score was demonstrated between the three groups, this study has further raised the question of whether CP mandatory training makes a significant difference to staffs’ ability to respond to the tested CP scenarios. Further research questions have been considered which may need addressing in the future.