The CSCP is making a series of improvements to its multi-agency training programme to strengthen attendance, increase value for money, and support long term programme sustainability. These changes are based on a detailed review of attendance behaviour, workforce pressures, and the financial impact of non-attendance and cancelled sessions.

Why These Changes Are Being Introduced

Persistent non-attendance, low sign-up levels for some sessions, and the inability to recover financial losses were key drivers for change. Trainer fees, fixed delivery costs, and lost capacity have continued to place pressure on the training offer, requiring a proportionate system wide response.

What Is Changing

In Person Sessions Moved to Biannually

From April 2026, in person delivery will be aligned to two fixed training clusters each year. These clusters will be the designated periods in which curated face to face sessions take place, ensuring that content reflects priority safeguarding themes arising from local reviews and learning. Once the confirmed months are published through the usual communication channels, practitioners will be able to plan more effectively and make full use of the enhanced programme.

Fee Introduced for Level 1 Safeguarding eLearning

A modest reduced fee will be introduced for the Level 1 Safeguarding eLearning module. Completion data indicates that free access contributes to low completion rates, particularly among groups with high levels of speculative enrolment. Introducing a fee is expected to strengthen accountability and reduce non-completion.

Reduced Fee for Non-Profit Organisations

A new reduced fee structure will be applied to non profit organisations. This responds to evidence showing non-attendance rates of 18 percent within the voluntary and community sector, one of the highest across all organisation types. The fee will take into account current financial constraints faced by the sector and will remain reasonable in comparison to commercial safeguarding training providers. Our recent review highlights that the free access model is no longer viable, and a nominal contribution is now required to ensure the sustainability of the programme. Payment will be required at the point of booking to discourage speculative sign-ups and to support more reliable engagement with the training offer.

Non-Attendance Charging for Partner Agencies

To address high levels of non-attendance and protect training capacity, CSCP will introduce monthly charges for unused places.

• Croydon Council will be charged via internal recharge due to a non-attendance rate of 41 percent.

• Police and Health partners will be charged via monthly invoice, reflecting combined non-attendance of 35 percent.

What Happens Next

CSCP will publish a revised Training and Charging Policy and provide further guidance to support implementation. Updates will continue to be shared via the Partnership channels and learning forums.

This new fee structure will come into force on 10 February 2026.

CSCP will continue to signpost training from our partners at no charge, this includes:

• Safeguarding Courses run by the London Safeguarding Children Partnership

• Domestic Abuse Training run by FJC

• Access to free eLearning courses run by external organisations

If you have any questions or want to understand how these changes will impact your organisation email cscptraining@croydon.gov.uk