AEGIS links with the Association of Child Protection Professionals

AEGIS is delighted to be working with the Association of Child Protection Professionals. The Association provides support, representation, and professional development for those working in child protection and safeguarding. AEGIS will be taking part in podcasts with the association about the work of AEGIS and that of educational guardians in order to raise awareness. We will also be developing a special interest group for educational guardians focusing specifically on those supporting international students.

Wendy Thorogood is chair of the Association of Child Protection Professionals (formerly BASPCAN) and took up this three year post in November 2018. Wendy is a retired Designated Nurse Consultant for children with NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) based in Dorchester and she trained at St Guy’s hospital in London, specialising in child and adult nursing intensive care and cardiac and renal transplants. Wendy delivered the national leadership programme for safeguarding for the Department of Health and worked directly with the NHS Confederation in relation to current changes.

Wendy tells us more about the association:

“We are a registered charity and membership association. We provide education and professional development opportunities for those working within the field of  child protection and vulnerable adults.

If children live away from their parents, for whatever reason, it is likely to have a life lasting effect on them. We know that once they are placed safely this is far from the end of their story, which is why it is so important for the educational guardians/ careers to receive support and training.

Previously known as BASPCAN, we have been driving improvement in child protection for 40 years by working with experienced professionals to influence policy and practice. I have been a member for over 30 years before become chair; I really do not know how I would otherwise have coped. This can be a lonely area to work in without fellow support.

We exist to help children and families by supporting the professionals and any sector who works within this field. With various backgrounds from all sectors, ensuring a multidisciplinary perspective, the child and family are at the centre of what we do. This has been a key part of our purpose since 1979.  We believe that by bringing together different sectors, race and religions we are able to discuss issues to improve outcomes for children and families, importantly offering a safe place to discuss matters of relevance  and supply training and support.

We help those who want to meet other like-minded partners to share research, practice and knowledge.  We also help students aiming for a career in child protection and organisations or professional bodies whose focus is related to child protection.

We are the only organisation in this field  specifically devoted to supporting child and adult protection professionals and researchers. 

As an Association we offer our members the opportunity to:

• Be a part of a UK wide network of professionals
• Develop and deepen their practice based on peer-led learning and the latest research
• Receive substantial discounts to attend our conferences and events
• Receive 20% off books with Jessica Kingsley Publishers
• Join or start a special interest group or branch.
• Add their voice to inform our work to influence policy
• Receive print and online access to our journal Child Abuse Review, including our new CPD section written by practitioners, for practitioners
• Email information and update bulletins
• Access to our expert webinars (coming soon)
• Influence how the Association develops – it’s our member community

AoCPP provide a network where professionals can come together to gain knowledge, share experience and discuss issues through a variety of training workshops, conferences, special interest groups and events.

Using frontline experience and evidence from the latest research we aim to positively influence child protection policy and practice.”

“Our core mission is to protect children and young people from the risk of harm.”

The Association of Child Protection Professionals is offering free membership until 31 August 2020, do sign up for the benefits!

https://www.childprotectionprofessionals.org.uk/join

Find out more about their fantastic podcasts here:

https://www.childprotectionprofessionals.org.uk/Blogs/aocpp-podcasts