Childhood First launches new training and support programme for child carers


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In the wake of a series of inquiries into allegations of abuse at children’s homes, Childhood First – the fundraising division of the Peper Harow Foundation – is leading a formal initiative to improve standards in juvenile care training.

Owing to bad pay, low morale, challenging conditions and - more recently - the threat of allegations of neglect or abuse, children’s care organisation experience tremendous difficultly in attracting and retaining high calibre, committed staff. As a result, the children suffer emotionally and physically.

Childhood First blames the situation almost entirely on the dearth of any accredited training programmes for staff in residential homes – and also on the lack of support and back up available to staff under pressure.

Working in conjunction with the Tavistock Clinic and Middlesex University, the charity has developed a formally structured course leading to a BA or MSc qualification which combines both the theory and practice of providing the best possible care and treatment of vulnerable children. Initially the training will be limited to Childhood First centres in Norfolk, Kent, Northampton, the Midlands and London. In time it is anticipated that the course will also be rolled out to statutory and voluntary organisations.

Childhood First describes its mission as ‘to help abused, deprived and neglected children, providing both residential and outreach support’. The charity has been established for over thirty years, during which time it has spearheaded many significant initiatives designed to help underprivileged and disturbed children of all ages. Another of its recent campaigns is called the ‘Family Placement Service’ which sets out to recruit and educate individuals and families interested in volunteering as foster carers.

www.peperharow.org

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