Families Outside Launches New Accredited Training Modules
Families Outside, Scotland’s only national charity that works solely for children and families affected by imprisonment, has launched new accredited training aimed at professionals who come in to contact with children and families affected by imprisonment.
The training modules, “Families Outside – Families Affected by Imprisonment,” are designed to raise awareness of the impact on children and families when a loved one or relative is sent to prison. In addition, the modules develop the knowledge and skills of participants and encourage them to consider their own current practice and how this could be further improved to support children and families affected by imprisonment using their service or who are in contact with their organisation.
There are three modules in total, and participants can sign up for one, two, or all three depending on what combination is relevant for their area of work. The three modules are:
- Module 1 – Understanding the issues for families affected by imprisonment.
- Module 2 – Supporting children and young people who have a family member in prison
- Module 3 – Prison and prison visiting
The modules are aimed at all professionals whose work brings them in to contact with families who have a family member in prison. All of the modules are currently delivered virtually and have been accredited by CPDUK so will count towards participants’ continuous professional development (CPD).
Laura van der Hoeven, Head of External Engagement at Families Outside said, “The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the vulnerabilities suffered by many children and families across Scotland, including those affected by imprisonment. Our new accredited training will increase the knowledge base and skills of participants, including recent developments such as UNCRC incorporation in to domestic law. The training modules will also support participants to improve their own practice to meet the unique needs of children and families affected by imprisonment.”
“Families Outside has run a number of high-quality training schemes in the past such as our teacher CPD and virtual awareness raising sessions which have been well-received. We are delighted to take a step further in our training offer by launching our first set of accredited training modules. All of the modules have been accredited by CPDUK and count towards CPD hours for participants.”
Tom Fox, Chair of the National Prison Visitor Centre Steering Group, said, “Families Outside has a strong track record of delivering high quality training and events to support both families affected by imprisonment and professionals who support families affected by imprisonment. Every day a range of professionals from police officers to teachers work with and support children and families affected by imprisonment without even knowing. I would encourage police officers, social workers, teacher, learning support, legal representatives and any other professional who thinks they may come in to contact with families affected by imprisonment to seriously consider participating in this valuable training.”
A number of dates are now open for booking. Please visit our website at https://www.familiesoutside.org.uk/professionals/training/ for more information and to register your place. Each module lasts three hours and is charged at a rate of £55.
