Trainer Application Files

To be successful in becoming a licensed Signs of Safety Trainer the most important things the applicant must demonstrate are:

• A sophisticated understanding of all aspects of the Signs of Safety practice model

• The capacity to reflect on their own work being able to identify both what they are pleased with and proud of and also where they are struggling and feel they can improve

• Ability to lead high quality Signs of Safety learning and practice supervision and support using high quality training materials and resources

  The application is designed to be interactive, developmental and engage the applicant in a self-assessment of their Signs of Safety skills and understanding in regards each requirement. We will also provide applicants with detailed feedback about each element of their submission so that whether they are accepted or not the applicant has a clear assessment of their Signs of Safety work and experience through the application process.

You can download the complete process listed on this page including a checklist of submissions and downloads here.

Each applicant must complete the following steps:

PART 1: APPLICATION FORM

Complete and submit the Trainer Application Form (if you have not done so already).

PART 2: SIGNS OF SAFETY ASSESSMENT OR CASE MAPPING

The Signs of Safety assessment and planning framework is the central organising map for using the Signs of Safety approach in practice licensed trainers must have high level understanding and skills in using the framework.

Part 2.1

The applicant must provide a complete anonymised Signs of Safety assessment or case mapping the applicant has been directly involved in creating. This mapping may come from direct service delivery work the applicant has been involved with or work they have been involved with through training or consultation. The mapping needs to include a family genogram, danger statement(s), safety goal(s) and safety scale(s) for the case.

Example: So you know what is being asked for please look at the Darel, Alkira, Jirra Case Mapping (TL Doc 2).

Part 2.2

Having prepared the mapping, the applicant uses the Signs of Safety Collaborative Case Audit tool (TL Doc 3) (Collaborative Case Audit MATRIX and Methodology – Mapping document) completing a self-assessment of the mapping.

We will also use Signs of Safety Collaborative Case Audit to evaluate the mapping and will use this to explore the mapping with the applicant to provide detailed feedback.

Purpose

• Applicant demonstrates their knowledge and ability to use the Signs of Safety assessment and planning form.

• Applicant demonstrates ability to reflect, analyse and critique their own Signs of Safety mapping work.

• Applicant learns about and has direct experience of using the Signs of Safety Collaborative Case Audit methodology and tool.

PART 3: GROUP SUPERVISION PROCESS

The Signs of Safety Group Supervision process is a central mechanism for trainers teaching the approach and for agencies and teams to use in implementing the approach. Licensed trainers have to be able to lead this group supervision process in part and in full in training and supervision work. A full description of the Group Supervision process is attached here: Group Supervision Document (TL Doc 4).

Each applicant must submit a video of themselves leading a Signs of Safety group supervision process with a child protection/children’s services group or team. This video needs to be recorded at a standard that it could be used as a training resources thus it should be recorded in high resolution and most importantly the audio needs to be clear and understandable.

With the video the applicant needs to provide a full transcript of steps one, two, three and four of the Signs of Safety group supervision process (by way of example see the included video recorded anonymised re-enactment of Andrew Turnell doing these four group supervision steps and the associated transcript in an injured infant case). The re-enactment is used to ensure the anonymity of the professionals and family. We are asking applicants to focus on the initial four steps since it is during this set up phase the trainer/facilitator establishes and demonstrates their leadership of the group, and sets the tone for the whole group supervision process.

• Andrew leading Group Supervision steps 1, 2, 3, 4 and Transcript (TL Video 1 and TL Doc 5).

Together with the video and transcript the applicant then needs to prepare and submit written reflections about their group supervision work. In the reflections please answer the following questions:

• What did you feel you did well?

• Where do you feel you struggled?

• What have you learnt from this process?

Purpose

• Applicant demonstrates their understanding of and ability to use and lead the Signs of Safety Group Supervision process

• Applicant demonstrates ability to reflect, analyse and critique their own Signs of Safety group supervision facilitation and practice

• Applicant demonstrates ability to video and audio record practice of a standard that can be used as a learning resource for themselves and others

• Applicant demonstrates they have the skills to upload the video through web. This is important since licensed trainers need to be able to create video material for regular Signs of Safety Trainer and Consultant group supervision.

PART 4: CASE EXAMPLE – TRAJECTORY WORK

Signs of Safety safety planning centres around the Safety Planning Roadmap (TL Doc 7) and is most effectively used in practice through a clear focused Safety Planning trajectory. Licensed trainers must have a comprehensive understanding of the Safety Planning and trajectory work.

In this section the applicant will demonstrate their expertise with the Signs of Safety safety planning and trajectory work by working with the injured infant case explored in the group supervision led by Andrew Turnell.

The two video clips the applicant needs to view are:

• Clip One (TL Video 1) and Transcript (TL Doc 5): Andrew leading steps One, Two, Three and Four of the group supervision process

• Clip Two (TL Video 2) and Transcript (TL Doc 6): Andrew asking questions of the practitioner to gather information to create a draft Words and Pictures explanation for the children (both these videos are anonymised exact re-enactments of the work in the actual group supervision).

Applicant Tasks

Based on the information described in Clip One prepare:

Part 4.1

Danger Statements, Safety Goals and Safety Scales the applicant would want to use for this case (applicant may choose to create one or more of each).

Part 4.2

Existing Strengths and Existing Safety Questions that the applicant thinks would make most sense and be most useful in this case. (The existing safety questions should be clearly informed by your danger statements and safety goals).

Based on the information described in Clip Two prepare:

Part 4.3

A draft explanation including pictures of the Words and Pictures explanation for Bekky and the unborn that might be used in this case.

Part 4.4

A trajectory including timeline for the safety planning work that the applicant believes would be appropriate to enable new baby to go home with Bekky and Luke. The applicant should follow the trajectory format in the example case. Be as specific and detailed as possible and prepare the trajectory so that it could be presented to Bekky, Luke and their support network.

Example trajectory for a different (domestic violence) case is available here: Example Trajectory Document: Domestic Violence Case ( TL Doc 8 ).

When the applicant has prepared and submitted their work we will send them the Danger Statements, Safety Goals and Safety Scales, List of Existing Strengths and Existing Safety Questions, Draft Words and Pictures explanation and Safety Planning Trajectory, including the timeline, we created for this case.

Part 4.5 (Can only be completed once your trajectory has been received)

Once the applicant has received these materials they are asked to compare their work with the trajectory materials from the injured infant case they have received, and prepare written reflections covering:

• What you were pleased with and was strongest in their trajectory work

• What were the biggest challenges?

• Most important learning from the process

Purpose

• Applicant demonstrates their understanding of and ability in using the Signs of Safety safety planning and trajectory work

• Applicant demonstrates ability to reflect, analyse and critique their own Signs of Safety safety planning and trajectory work

PART 5: SIGNS OF SAFETY TRAINING EXERCISE

As well as delivering training material and exercises available to all trainers through the Signs of Safety Knowledge Bank, licensed trainers must demonstrate their ability to create and contribute their own unique ideas, methods and exercises for training and supervising Signs of Safety practice. As part of maintaining their license trainers will be required to annually submit one training exercise or resource for the Signs of Safety Knowledge Bank. In this way the community of licensed trainers and consultants take responsibility for growing the theory and knowledge base of the Signs of Safety approach.

Applicant’s Tasks

Part 5.1: Applicant’s Own Version of the Training Exercise

Applicants must submit a training exercise that they have created to teach some aspect of the Signs of Safety approach. Applicants need to include the presentation materials (such as power point slides) and any handout materials they use to teach and lead this exercise in the format they use in their training work.

The exercise does not need to be complicated or lengthy – often a simple exercise and straight forward support materials are the most effective. To guide the applicant we have included an example of what we are looking for: dealing with challenges in Building Safety Networks Training Resource (TL Doc 9) & Trainer’s Notes (TL Doc 10).

Part 5.2: Knowledge Bank Ready Version

All licensed Signs of Safety trainers should contribute one complete training resource for the Signs of Safety Knowledge Bank each year that is Knowledge Bank ready, meaning the resource is:

• Fully prepared and presented so that another trainer can take the resource and use it

• Is prepared in the Signs of Safety branding and format

The requirements for preparing Knowledge Bank resources are available here: Knowledge Bank Submission Criteria (TL Doc 11) and also the Submission Form.

If the applicant is accepted as a licensed trainer, the resource will be placed in the Knowledge Bank as the licensee’s first annual contribution.

Purpose

• Applicant demonstrates their own unique ideas and approach to teaching the Signs of Safety approach

• Applicant demonstrates the quality and branding of their current training presentation resources such as Power Point slides and handout materials

• Applicant demonstrates ability to provide Knowledge Bank ready training resources and materials

PART 6: PHOTO AND BIOGRAPHY

We will need a biography and headshot (portrait) photo of you. They will be used to promote you and the Signs of Safety community on the Trainer & Consultant page on the Signs of Safety website. An up-to-date headshot is always good for you to have on hand in case you need to supply it to clients or for promotional purposes.

Photo Guidelines

• Include only your head and shoulders – similar to a passport photo

• A recent image, or more importantly, one that accurately represents your current appearance

• Colour photo (not black and white)

• No filters or photographic effects applied (such as the ones used on Instagram)

• No sunglasses

• Friendly but business-like demeanour (not a glamour-type portrait or a holiday snap)

• Ideally you should get a photo done by a professional or at least a friend or relative with a good camera.

Please note: Images you see on the internet are normally significantly lower in resolution and size than what we require. This is so that they load quicker on a web page. With that in mind, we can’t use the photo you copied and pasted from your Facebook profile.

It does not have to be shot in a studio with specialised lighting. You can get a good result indoors by positioning yourself near a window on a sunny day or outside in the shade, or on an overcast day. You should aim for sufficient but even light, so avoid harsh midday sun or uneven shadows.

Once you have the photo, please upload it to your Dropbox folder.

In addition, we would highly encourage you to use this photo as your prole picture where you are representing the Signs of Safety brand, such as your Slack and LinkedIn profiles.

Biography

For your biography, your target audience is people looking to use you as a Signs of Safety trainer. Introduce yourself, highlight your relevant achievements, credentials, and any notable projects with which you are involved. Your biography should be short and concise (no more than 300 words) and list only relevant information. Avoid including personal statistics, such as family and hobbies. Use the third person voice.

Again, if you want to see examples of other biographies, head over to the Trainer & Consultant page on the Signs of Safety website and click on a profile photo to read their biography.

PART 7: INTERVIEW

Once the application is complete and submitted, Elia will organise a licensing interview where the applicant will be given detailed feedback about their application, including the work and examples they have submitted and the decision about whether they will be accepted as a licensed trainer.

If the applicant is accepted as a final step in the licensing process the applicant will be asked to complete the annual Signs of Safety Trainer self-assessment process and have a conversation with your Regional Director to explore their learning and development goals and support needs.