Safeguarding Children and Child Protection Education for UK Trainee Teachers in Higher Education

Knowledge and expertise about safeguarding children and child protection are both essential skills for schoolteachers. Since 2004, specific learning about these topics has been included in the curricula for undergraduate and postgraduate trainee teachers. This article explores the development of child protection education and learning for trainee teachers at the University of the West of England, and reflects on some of our experiences, learning to date and student feedback. Child protection education is a feature of all undergraduate and postgraduate trainee teacher courses at this university. Our model differs from others as it is embedded in face‐to‐face learning which is led by four professionals from relevant disciplines: education, health, police and social work. Evaluations have been mostly positive, and it is intended that such reflections might be helpful to other higher education institutions, local authorities and schools in informing the development of their curricula. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.‘Our model is embedded in face‐to‐face learning which is led by four professionals from relevant disciplines’Key Practitioner Messages Safeguarding and child protection training is a vital aspect of education for trainee teachers. An interprofessional team including a teacher, children's nurse, police officer and social worker is able to model respectful collaboration and communication required for professional practice in this area. Trainee teachers appreciated meeting the range of professionals in the training context as it enabled them to discuss issues of concern in a safe environment.