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Multi- Agency Neglect Deep Dive 4/3/26: Cultural Capability and Neglect

Course Overview

Cultural Capability and Neglect is a focused 2-hour online training course designed for professionals working with children, young people, and families. Delivered live via Microsoft Teams, the session explores how cultural beliefs, values, and practices intersect with safeguarding, and how practitioners can confidently distinguish culturally informed parenting from neglect while working within statutory guidance and local practice in Cornwall.

Course Description

Professionals frequently work with families whose cultural backgrounds, beliefs, or parenting practices differ from their own. While cultural diversity enriches communities, it can also create uncertainty for practitioners seeking to understand whether a parenting decision is culturally rooted, a matter of parental choice, or a sign of unmet needs or neglect. This interactive session builds cultural capability and supports practitioners to make fair, respectful, and well-informed safeguarding decisions.

The course examines how cultural norms shape parenting, communication, roles, and expectations of children, and how misunderstandings or unconscious bias can influence professional responses. Participants will explore scenarios where cultural practices may appear to conflict with safeguarding guidance, considering how to uphold children’s rights and welfare while maintaining culturally sensitive and trauma-informed practice.

Grounded in current UK legislation and Cornwall’s local safeguarding arrangements, the session emphasises professional curiosity, respectful challenge, proportionality, and collaborative working. Practitioners will develop confidence in navigating cultural complexities, applying thresholds consistently, and engaging families in a way that promotes trust and positive outcomes.

This session is suitable for professionals across education, health, social care, early help, youth services, and the voluntary and community sector working with children and families in Cornwall.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Define cultural capability and understand its relevance to recognising and responding to neglect.
2. Differentiate between culturally informed parenting practices and neglect, using evidence-based indicators and statutory guidance.
3. Identify how cultural norms, beliefs, and expectations may influence parenting decisions, risk perception, and professional interpretation.
4. Recognise the impact of unconscious bias and develop strategies to ensure fair, child-centred assessments.
5. Apply local thresholds appropriately, understanding when concerns require Early Help support or safeguarding intervention.
6. Respond effectively to concerns, including communicating sensitively with families, documenting decisions, and escalating in line with Cornwall’s safeguarding procedures.

Cancellation Charge

Please note that with effect from 1^st November we will be introducing a cancellation charge of £75. This will apply to cancellations that take place 48hours or less before the start of the course or if you book a place but do not attend. If you are unable to use your place you can move to an alternative date or arrange for someone else to attend in your place but please email us at OSCPtraining@cornwall.gov.uk

to let us know.

Dates