by Author Dougie Lonie

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Continuing Professional Development (CPD) needs for those working with looked-after children

Below are the key thoughts contributed to the discussion that explored the CPD needs for those working with looked after children.



Needs

  • Fostering appropriate relationships between music leaders and children, especially in relation to boundaries. How to outline clear roles and responsibilities at the start of a project in a way that translates to the young people?
  • Knowledge of what training and CPD programmes exist around disabling barriers.
  • Quality frameworks and accreditation options.
  • Strategies for equipping music practitioners with skills and knowledge to deliver inclusive projects, through a better understanding of the issues facing looked after children.
  • Delivering appropriate CPD for non-music specialists.
  • Strategies to overcome the inflexible structures that can exist around looked after children. 
  • How to overcome the challenges of working with looked after children professionals – ‘educators’, who become ‘participants’ in the context of music projects.
  • Exploring the role of foster carers and integrating them effectively, e.g. how to avoid them limiting the young people’s behaviour? How best to support them to improve their skills? 
  • Knowledge of the additional skills required by musicians working with looked after children.

Advice and suggestions

  • Work with the young people as young musicians.  This may involve looking at the barriers faced by the young people, and how to overcome them, but issues and barriers are not the main focus or starting point.
  • Try to develop a partnership culture with the young people to support the development of a shared ‘contract’.
  • The transfer of trust is important, and the ability to hold people safe.
  • The importance of involving placement support workers.
  • The role that theatre can play in forming contracts etc., and more generally in projects, in allowing children to be different from how they normally are.
  • Planning for and understanding attachment difficulties.  Understanding attachment and how this can affect education with special reference to adopted children and young people and those looked after by local authorities.  Download the NCB's 'Understanding Why' report.

Please share what you think are the CPD needs for those working with looked after children in the comments below.