Lead teams to support others to care for and protect children

This standard identifies the requirements for empowering others to develop and use skills to care for and protect children in their care. The focus is on leading teams to identify the necessary skills, deliver support, monitor progress, and ensure effective communication and coordination with others.

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1. recognise the experience, expertise and abilities of others in caring for and protecting children 
2. identify and agree the roles and responsibilities of teams for supporting others to care for and protect children 
3. ensure teams communicate effectively with others 
4. support teams to work in collaboration with others to achieve a shared understanding of care and protection 
5. work with teams to identify and manage risks to the wellbeing of children 
6. support teams to work collaboratively with others to identify their existing skills and areas for development 
7. empower teams to support others in accessing information and resources  
8. lead teams in establishing agreements with others on how to give feedback, how risks will be managed, and how concerns will be addressed 
9. collaborate to develop action plans to support others to strengthen caring skills  
10. monitor and review observations by teams of interactions between children and others, ensuring feedback is provided 
11. encourage teams to reaffirm positive interactions and behaviours that support the wellbeing of children
12. support teams to identify when the caring skills of others need developed further and ensure appropriate support is provided 
13. facilitate discussions in teams about concerns and collaborate with others to address these 
14. lead teams to support others to practice and reflect on caring skills 
15. work in collaboration to support others to recognise progress, celebrate achievements, and plan further skills development 
16. complete records and reports required for leading teams to support others to care for and protect children
17. reflect on how you carried out your roles and responsibilities to lead teams to support others to care for and protect children

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1. methods of empowering teams to support others to care for and protect children  
2. how to lead on the application of trauma informed principles to care for and protect children
3. techniques for problem solving and innovative thinking in teams, particularly in addressing caring skill gaps
4. how to guide teams in accessing resources, information and support to inform practice when helping others
5. the importance of identity and self-esteem in confidence and skills development of others, and how to promote this through team leadership 
6. how to lead on dignity, kindness, and compassion in supporting teams and others
7. how stress influences caregiving abilities, and how to support teams to address this 
8. methods for communicating with children and others, including non-speaking communication, and how to support teams with this
9. how to support emotional regulation during the care and protection of children 
10. the factors that impact on the health and wellbeing of children and others, and how to address this through team-based support
11. the importance of relationships and bonding, and the impact of disruption on children and others, and how your team should respond to these challenges
12. the influence of culture, background and spirituality in shaping the needs of children and others, and how to ensure this is considered by teams 
13. the use of observation techniques to identify and record interactions, and how your team can apply this effectively 
14. how to work in partnership with others to support them to care for and protect children 
15. the influence of neurodivergence and additional needs on the support children and others require and how to ensure this is considered by teams
16. the types of evidence required in investigations and child protection, and how to guide your team in gathering valid evidence 
17. the workplace boundaries in safeguarding and evidence gathering, and when to seek support  
18. the national and local initiatives promoting the wellbeing of children, and how to access these
19. how to use digital tools and devices to lead teams to support others to care for and protect children 
20. the records and reports required for leading teams to support others to care for and protect children
21. theories relevant to support others to care for and protect children
22. the relevant legal requirements, standards of practice, frameworks and guidance for leading teams to support others to care for and protect children
23. the workplace requirements for equality, diversity, inclusion, and rights when leading teams to support others to care for and protect children 
24. how your personal experiences and unconscious bias may impact when leading teams to support others to care for and protect children, and how to address this    
25. the role of supervision, reflective practice and learning and development in supporting others to care for and protect children

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The glossary for this National Occupational Standard is available on the Skills for Care and Development website.

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1

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2031

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Current

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Original

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Skills for Care and Development

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HSCCLD426

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Social Care and Childrens Care

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Lead teams protect children, Health and Social Care & Children's Care Learning and Development

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