About this course

The Base-Child Abuse and Neglect (BASE-CAN) course provides evidence-based knowledge about child abuse and neglect, grounded in the multidisciplinary approach of Barnahus. Such knowledge is essential for all Barnahus staff to prevent child abuse and neglect as well as to help victims.

The course covers different theories and working methods tailored to the work of Barnahus, which are relevant for all staff and competencies covering all four rooms embedded in the multidisciplinary approach: criminal investigation (police), child protection (social services), physical health (paediatrics/gynaecology), mental health (child and adolescent psychiatry).

Each day has lectures in the morning, with seminar discussions in the afternoon. Participants will complete a short research and writing assignment on a topic they are interested in (this can be written in your preferred language). 

The course may be about child abuse and neglect in general, or it may have a specific focus. The exact content covered becomes tailored during the course based on the discussions and interests of the participants. Active participation is expected.

At the end of the course, participants will have a shared baseline knowledge about child abuse and neglect, and will be aware of the consequences of their choice as professionals when dealing with such cases. You will also have meet your peers from other European countries and learned about how they are working with this issue. 

Learning outcomes include:  

• describing the prevalence, background factors and needs among child victims of child abuse and neglect. 
• defining and describing different signs of traumatization among children and adolescents. 
• describing the impact of cooperation between governmental organizations on such cases.
• Applying knowledge and understanding:
  •  describe risk- and protection needs among child victims of child abuse and/or neglect 
  • discuss different intervention needs for children and families after child abuse and/or neglect. 
  •  apply relevant professional responses for children victims of abuse and/or neglect 
• Making judgements and evaluation:
  • discriminate and detect children/adolescent’s victims of child abuse and/or neglect and identify relevant interventions. 
  •  identify and discuss own attitudes, values and approaches related to children victims of abuse and/or neglect. 

Who the course is for 

All professionals who meet child victims of abuse in Barnahus.

Participants should have a degree in psychology, social work, medicine, law or equivalent of at least 120 ECTS credits.

Diploma

Pass/ Fail

To receive a certificate, participants have to take part in 80 % of the lectures and seminars, complete a written assignment and the examination exercise.

The course is equivalent to 7,5 ECTS credits. The pace of study is quarter speed over one semester. 

About the instructor

Linda Jonsson holds a PhD in child psychiatry. She has been working in social services and child psychiatry in Sweden and with responsibility for issues related to sexual abuse and exploitation at the Swedish national competence centre against child abuse, Barnafrid. Her research covers all forms of child abuse, especially sexual exploitation and online sexual abuse. Linda is currently an associate professor in social work at Marie Cederschiöld College, and engages in various expert and consulting roles in Sweden.  

What participants say

• Very good course to listen in to other professionals’ experiences. 
• I work with this topic and more people who work within polis- or social services should do these courses. 
• I have learnt a lot and gotten a lot of ideas on how to develop my own work. 
• This is a basic course in abuse but suits everyone. You get to reflect and think of the work you do. 

Cost

Variable. Often covered in part by project or other funding.

Eligibility

Our trainings are exclusively for organisations who have a role in Barnahus, either in setting one up or providing services. Network Members have priority access.

Individuals with a special role relating to Barnahus may be eligible on a case-by-case basis. We work with the Barnahus Network member from your country to assess your eligibility.

Additional eligibility requirements apply depending on the course.

Registration

Email network AT barnahus.eu to let us know:

• how many trainees you have who need this training in the context of Barnahus;
• by when you would like to have been trained;
• if you have funding to fast track the training, or want to be added to a waitlist.