Grooming Recognition Training

Module 1: Breaking the Silence

Presenter: Louise Edmonds – Child Sex Abuse Survivor Advocate, Lived-Experience Expert

Objective: Establish foundational understanding of grooming from a survivor’s perspective.

Topics:

• Louise’s story: How grooming works in plain sight
• The emotional and psychological patterns of predators
• Recognising the silent suffering of children
• Building parental intuition and gut-check confidence

Key Takeaway: How to start uncomfortable but vital conversations at home and in centres.

 

 

Module 2: Grooming in Early Learning Settings

Presenter: Sinead Stouch – Early Childhood Educator, Leader & Author

Objective: Teach educators and parents how to recognise subtle red flags in ECEC settings.

Topics:

• What grooming looks like in early childhood environments
• Professional boundaries and safeguarding frameworks
• Staff accountability: What good practice looks like
• Empowering children with language and choice

Key Takeaway: Design a “Protective Culture Checklist” for your centre or home.

 

 

Module 3: The Good Man Standard

Presenter: Nicholas Stephens – Male Childcare Educator

Objective: Address gender bias while equipping staff and parents to support and screen safely.

Topics:

• Navigating male presence in early years settings
• Safe practices that build trust and transparency
• What ethical male carers do to keep children safe
• Healthy masculinity in caregiving roles

Key Takeaway: Build a “Visibility and Accountability” Code for all educators.

 

 

Module 4: When Children Disclose

Presenter: John Cardamone – Disclosure Response Specialist & Body Safety Trainer

Objective: Empower adults to respond sensitively and effectively when a child discloses.

Topics:

• What a disclosure might sound or look like
• What not to say or do
• The ‘Believe, Protect, Report’ response model
• How to build trust so children feel safe to disclose

Key Takeaway: Practice John’s “Disclosure First Aid” technique with real-life scenarios.

 

 

Module 5: Grooming Behind Bars

Presenter: Mel Jane – Ex-Prison Officer & Sexual Abuse Survivor Advocate

Objective: Understand the criminal mindset and the systemic failures that allow abuse to persist.

Topics:

• Predator psychology behind prison walls
• How early grooming leads to later offences
• Institutional blind spots and risk cultures
• The importance of early, clear boundaries

Key Takeaway: Use Mel’s “Spot the Pattern” worksheet to identify grooming escalation.

 

 

Module 6 : Empowering Children Through Strength and Boundaries

Presenter: Adam Washbourne – Child Trauma Counsellor & Martial Arts Instructor

Objective: Teach how to build resilience, confidence, and body safety in children.

Topics:

• Trauma-informed self-defence: the balance between strength and safety
• Body autonomy lessons for ages 3–8
• Empowerment language children can use
• Psychological readiness, not fear-based education

Key Takeaway: Access Adam’s “Confidence and Consent Circle” activities for home and school.

 

 

Module 7: Legal Pathways for Reporting and Redress

Presenter: Andrew Carpenter – Abuse Law Solicitor

Objective: Demystify the legal processes of reporting and redress, and what protections exist

Topics:

• Your legal obligations as a parent or staff member
• Mandatory reporting: When, how, and who
  • • • • • • • • Understanding civil vs. criminal processes
                • Seeking justice: What redress and protection looks like

                                                                                Key Takeaway: Use Andrew’s “Legal Preparedness Pack” – a printable action guide.

 

 

Module 8: Grooming Risks in Dance & Entertainment Industries

Presenter: Karina Lawrence – Choreographer, dance studio owner, eisteddfod judge

Objective:

To equip parents with the knowledge and tools to protect children navigating dance schools, modelling agencies, theatre, and entertainment industries where grooming risks are heightened.

Topics Covered

• Why Children in Dance & Entertainment Are at Higher Risk
• Recognising Grooming Behaviours in Industry Settings.
  • • • • • • Contracts, Travel, and Chaperone Loopholes
            • Online Grooming Through Casting & Social Media

 Key Takeaway: Parents in the arts must balance nurturing their child’s talent with non-negotiable safety boundaries. Download the “Dance & Entertainment Parent                                                                   Safety Toolkit” – including a checklist of red flags, chaperone guidelines, and a sample contract clause to protect children.

 

 

Module 9: The Digital Trap – Grooming in the Age of Surveillance and Social Media

Presenter: Adriana Jones – Cybersecurity Specialist, MSc Cyber Security

Objective:  To educate childcare professionals, parents, and guardians about the hidden risks that exist within online environments, CCTV systems, and digital platforms—and to provide practical strategies for identifying grooming behaviours and strengthening child protection in the digital age.

Topics:

• How CCTV systems operate & their vulnerabilities
• The illusion of safety in surveillance
• How predators exploit social media, webcams, gaming & online platforms
• Real-life cyber-linked grooming cases
• Why “the web is the battlefield” for child protection
• Practical steps to strengthen digital safety

Key Takeaway:  Technology alone cannot keep children safe—proactive, informed adults, combined with secure digital systems and behavioural awareness, form the strongest defense against modern grooming tactics. Child protection now requires both cybersecurity vigilance and human safeguarding, working together to prevent harm before it occurs.