Nursing and social work students working together to safeguard children – Using simulation to improve knowledge of the child protection system

Child protection practice relates to activities undertaken to protect specific children who are suspected to be suffering or likely to suffer significant harm, it is challenging and requires effective multiagency working (LGA, 2025). NHS England (2024) identifies safeguarding as embedded in the core duties and statutory responsibilities of all organisations across the NHS and health system. The consequence in failing to work effectively can be catastrophic and underpins this initiative to improve interprofessional practice. The team delivered an IPE event which brought together child nursing and social work students in a simulated Initial Child Protection Conference (ICPC) which was evaluated using a mixed methods design. Statistically significant findings were compelling, evidencing increases in knowledge and understanding of the child protection process and the roles and responsibilities of the interprofessional team. These findings were contextualised in the established four themes of the qualitative data. Our experience supports the continuing development and evaluation of interprofessional learning events underpinned by transformative learning approaches.