Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Social Sciences in Psychology at the University of Waikato

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a seven-day training programme for adults in child protection developed by the Institute for Child Protection Studies (CPS) entitled "Certificate in Child Protection Studies". The evaluation aimed to assist CPS in knowing in what ways people have benefited from attending the programme. Thirty-six students from a variety of geographical locations in New Zealand, who were attending the training programme, volunteered to take part in the study. Three groups from three different training programmes were involved. Three written questionnaires obtained data, once before the training programme in a pre-test, and twice after the programme in a post-test, and follow-up test. Additionally, 25 participants volunteered to participate in an interview. Analysis of variance examined changes over the three test phases in participants' knowledge levels, their attitudes towards child protection and child abuse, and their self-reported behaviour in child protection in five categories of knowledge, attitude and self-reported behaviour. Statistical analysis also checked for any noticeable score differences between the three programme groups. It was found all five factors of knowledge, attitudes and self-reported behaviour scores showed a significant difference between the pre-training scores and the post and follow-up scores. Results also showed there was no significant difference between the programme groups. The research shows that training in child protection significantly impacted on course participants' knowledge, awareness, attitudes towards child abuse and child protection, and their preparedness to act to protect children. The course was described as very empowering and was seen to be effective in meeting its aims in child protection.--AUTHOR'S ABSTRACT

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