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By Jacki Pritchard.

Jessica Kingsley Publishers

£16.95 ISBN 1 85302 913 0

As someone actively involved in adult protection training, I was particularly keen to read Jacki Pritchard's book, and I wasn't disappointed. There is much here to benefit new and more experienced trainers.

This is not surprising as Pritchard has plenty of experience within adult protection and this experience comes through the book in a practical way.

Within its eight chapters the book examines adult protection training from many angles, starting with the organisational and moving on through the stages involved in developing and delivering a basic awareness course. Throughout, Pritchard highlights the issues trainers need to deal with and the support they require from others. Good preparation and an organised approach are promoted as vital to the achievement of successful training outcomes.

However, anyone hoping to find an off-the-shelf adult protection awareness course may feel disappointed. The book is not a ready-made training pack. Rather, it is a distillation of the author's training wisdom and tried-and-tested techniques.

It contains a wealth of ideas, helpful comments, useful materials and background information (including permission to photocopy many of her suggested exercises) to assist the trainer in developing a course which suits their audience and setting. Subjects covered range from necessary equipment to coping with the emotional responses some participants may reveal when discussing abuse.

As such, the book's title with its emphasis on "becoming" is a good one. It does not (and cannot) claim to guarantee the production of a model trainer. However much they get out of this book, the potential trainer must supplement it with other sources and contact with practice issues, in particular. Pritchard, though, has done her best to provide the tools and insights which trainers need.

Barry Wilson is an independent trainer and co-editor of The Journal of Adult Protection.