Abstract:

Teaching and learning in child protection in the classroom is fraught with difficulties, particularly in getting a sense of realism into teaching and learning materials and to facilitate the practicalities of the situation. For example, grooming for child sexual exploitation and radicalisation are global issues; thousands of young people are goomed every day and professionals need to learn the signs of this and to work with vulnerable people accordingly. The Centre for Child Protection at the University of Kent along with statutory and third sector organisations have developed serious game simulations on child sexual exploitation (CSE) and radicalisation for use with professionals and young people to help them protect and care for themselves against predators online and in person.

These are innovative pedagogical approaches for this subject area.The award winning simulations ('Looking out for Lottie' and 'Zak') equip young people and professionals to understand the grooming process, which takes place on different social media (including 'facebook', 'twitter', 'instagram' and 'you tube') and provides students and professionals with research informed, immersive tools for teaching and learning on these complex issues. These tools are successfully used all over the UK to teach professionals and students and to protect and safeguard young people. In this interactive presentation delegates will be able to see the tools and, depending on numbers, try out this new pedagogical and innovative approach to teaching on these complex and difficult topics.

Keywords:

Child protection, simulations, grooming, child sexual exploitation, immersive learning, social media.