Workforce Capability Project: Developing a workforce capability statement to underpin how workers prevent and respond to child sexual abuse across the lifespan

Dr Lauren Lines, Flinders University

Alex Owens, Flinders University

Workers across multiple disciplines (health, education, welfare, law enforcement) do not feel adequately equipped to prevent and respond to child sexual abuse across the lifespan. Effectively equipping the workforce requires responses at multiple levels, including:

• Enhancing undergraduate pathways of priority qualifications so workers are better equipped before they enter the workforce.
• Enhancing access to postgraduate level programs for those already in the workforce, including generalist and specialist roles.

This Workforce Capability Project builds on work undertaken to date, by both the National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse and other key bodies) to articulate the required capabilities for the generalist workforce.

Phase 1: Planning and synthesis of existing evidence
The landscape of existing evidence, including literature, practice-related standards, government enquiries, and National Centre evidence, will be mapped and synthesised.

Phase 2: Developing a framework
A framework articulating core domains and related capabilities, knowledge, and skills for priority professions will be developed.

Phase 3: Consultation
Feedback from key stakeholders will be sourced to conduct a broad sense-check on the utility of the framework.

This capability framework will underpin future work, inclusive of guiding and embedding of capabilities for workers into different pathways and educational approaches.