Professional Certificate in Child Protection
Objectives
The course allows participants to better understand the child protection system and work in Singapore.
At the end of the workshop, the participants will be able to:
- Understand Singapore's Child Protection Landscape and the role of Child Protective Service in managing Child Protection cases;
- Understand the dynamics and key risk factors in assessing child protection cases;
- Understand the dynamics of working with children in the child protection setting and utilising different strategies for engagement; and
- Apply a trauma-informed lens and strategies in managing the impact of work on the professional self.
Who Should Attend
This course is targeted at social workers, school counsellors, student welfare officers and individuals who work on child protection issues, and
1) Have a Degree in Social Work or Psychology, or
2) Have at least 1 year of experience in working closely with Child Protective Service on child protection concerns if you graduate in other degree disciplines.
Delivery Mode
Face-to-Face Sessions and Preparation Work
Funding Type
NA
Course Brochure
Click here to view or download the brochure
Enquiries
Email to swkcpepc@nus.edu.sg
Certificate Outline
The Art, Science and Practice Knowledge of Decision Making in Child Protection
[17 & 18 March 2025]
Participants will be able to:
- Describe the PFS tools that help in collaborative engagement, assessment and planning with families;
- Explain how various SDM assessment tools are used to provide balanced and rigorous assessment to make key decision points in child protection cases;
- Explain safety planning and monitoring to ensure safety of child; and
- Describe how case plan is developed and used to manage child protection cases.
CPS Context of Child Protection in Singapore and CP Dynamics
[24 & 25 March 2025]
Participants will be able to:
- Describe the theoretical perspectives, frameworks and models related to various types of child abuse;
- Explain the impact and implications of trauma on child development; and
- Give examples of strategies to engage and support caregivers based on the different CP dynamics.
Family Violence (FV), Substance Abuse, and Mental Health in Child Protection
[1 & 2 April 2025]
Participants will be able to:
- Describe the dynamics of key risk factors – FV, parental alcohol, substance abuse and mental health –when undertaking assessments;
- Illustrate the impact of FV, parental alcohol, substance abuse and mental health on parenting capacity and possible consequences on children; and
- Explain how to incorporate assessment and planning information into Partnering for Safety (PFS) and Structured Decision-making (SDM) practice tool.
Working with Children and Young Persons, and Self of the Worker
[7 April 2025]
Participants will be able to:
- Articulate how family history, trauma and context may impact working with children and young persons (CYP);
- Identify and use strategies and tools for helping CYP to understand their involvement in the child protection system; and
- Explain the importance of professional resilience, preventing STS, VT and burnt when working with these children.
About the Instructors
Mr Alan Huan
Mr Mohamad Firoz Abdul Kadir
After graduating with a Bachelor in Social Work (Merit) from the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) in 2014, Alan worked with youth-at-risks with a Youth Social Service Agency where he did case management under the Enhanced Step Up (ESU) programme and developed and ran experiential learning programmes with youths.
In 2017, Alan joined the Safe and Strong Families Preservation (SSF-P) Pilot Programme in Child Protective Service (CPS), doing intensive family preservation work with CPS cases. Alan then joined the capability building team within CPS in 2019 and has since been focusing on competency building work for both Child Protection Officers (CPOs) and Child Protection stakeholders in the community.
Alan is also a Registered Social Worker with the Singapore Association of Social Workers (SASW) since 2014.
Graduated from NUS with a Bachelor in Arts (Social Work) in 2008 and Master in Social Work in 2022. Joined Child Protective Service (CPS) since 2008 and had over 11 years of experience practicing in different roles within CPS, including supervision of officers. Previously involved in the development and rolling out of current CPS practice tools including the Structured Decision Making (SDM) and the incorporation of Partnering For Safety (PFS) tools.
Currently, he is part of the senior practitioner’s team that spearheaded practice development within CPS.
Firoz experiences working with out-of-school youths in the early stages of his social work career. He was also involved in co-leading the MSF Family Services Team pilot project from 2019 to 2022, working with vulnerable and low-income families.
Ms Michelle Shanthini Gunasilan
Ms Sylvia Cheng
After graduating with a Bachelor of Social Sciences (Social Work) from the National University of Singapore (NUS) in 2009, Michelle started working as a medical social worker among offenders with mental health conditions in both inpatient and outpatient settings. She later worked with children whose parents had mental illness, providing psychoeducation and support through home visitations and group work programmes.
In 2019, she completed her Master of Social Work from NUS and joined the Ministry of Social and Family Development. Presently, she focuses on building competencies amongst officers through coaching, training and supervision. She is also a Registered Social Worker with the Social Work Accreditation and Advisory Board in Singapore.
Sylvia is passionate about building the competency of counsellors and social work professionals, for a shared vision of improving lives and bettering relationships. She started her career as an educator before being a counsellor in a Family Service Centre in 2003. In 2010, Sylvia joined MSF and has since been working with children, youth and families of abuse, fostering and adoption background. Sylvia is a registered Social Worker, Counsellor and Psychologist. She is keen to integrate attachment-based interventions with a risk lens to help families keep themselves safe and well.