Assessment through simulated safeguarding scenarios

There are growing demands in higher education for students to gain the skills and experience needed to be ‘work ready’. Together with the ever changing legislative climate of children’s services this presentation will focus on an innovative practical oral assessment task that helps students develop as knowledgeable practitioners with ‘real-life’ experiences. The safeguarding children and young people module is delivered on the Undergraduate Framework and attended by 150 second year students. Attendees are studying a range of courses including BA Honours Early Years, Childhood Studies, Religion and Education and Youth and Community Studies.During the presentation I will describe the assessment process in detail and discuss the challenges and benefits of developing an assessment technique that allows students to be confident in their practice. Student feedback is positive, although admittedly they report feeling nervous when preparing for the task, 94% report the module overall has improved their knowledge and understanding of safeguarding.