
We recently updated Beith Trust Safeguarding Policy and our staff and volunteers took part in safeguarding training tohelp get everyone up to speed with our new policy and procedures.
Its not often that training is as engaging, particularly with such a difficult topic, but when it works, its always down to the skills and personality of the trainer.
Anyone who remembers Gerrys Garage in King Road in Beith will remember Caren Gerry, (now Caren Mclean). We reached out to Caren, we heard she was the top lassie for the job and she certainly didnt disappoint. She knows her stuff and delivered an insightful training workshop which held the undivided attention of the whole team.
For those who dont know Caren, she is Beith lassie who qualified as a social worker andwho has worked with children and families for many years as a practitioner for the early part of her career, and later in strategic roles across Child Protection, Public Protection and Children’s Services.
As chair of the National Child Protection Lead Officers Group, Caren worked alongside colleagues in driving key changes and is author / contributor of several national publications including the National Guidance for Child Protection Committees Undertaking Learning Reviews in Scotland (2021).
Caren now works part time for Celcis – Centre for Excellence for Childrens Care and Protection as the Head of Protection and Permanence
The whole team was so impressed by Carens committment, she really emphasised the importance of family support and how important it was keep safeguarding at the centre of our work. She went over the history of safeguarding legislation and the cases and circumstances around them.
Caren now has her own consultancy company called CP Consulting Services and provides a fantastic service with an unique experience and insight that really brought home how important it is to have systems in place that make sure we are all safe in our work.
The girl done good!