Age Assessments Training : Using the Social Work Age Estimation Framework (SAEF™)

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About this event

SAEF provides a clear, defensible and trauma informed structure for completing age assessments with separated children. It strengthens practitioner confidence by breaking complex decisions into transparent, evidence based stages aligned with case law and statutory guidance. The framework emphasises cultural humility, anti discriminatory practice and the child’s lived experience, reducing reliance on subjective judgement. Practitioners learn how to plan, conduct and record assessments ethically, manage uncertainty and produce robust reasoning that stands up to scrutiny. SAEF ultimately supports fairer outcomes for young people and protects practitioners through consistent, accountable and legally sound practice.

⭐ Learning Outcomes

By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

• Describe the legal, policy and human rights foundations that underpin age assessment practice.

• Explain the structure and purpose of the Social Work Age Estimation Framework (SAEF™) and how it supports defensible decision making.

• Apply SAEF™ stages to plan, conduct and record a trauma informed, culturally sensitive age assessment.

• Analyse information from interviews, documents and observations using SAEF™ reasoning tools to identify indicators of credibility, vulnerability and developmental consistency.

• Evaluate levels of uncertainty and risk, and justify professional judgement in line with case law and statutory guidance.

• Produce clear, structured and evidence based assessment records using SAEF™ templates that withstand scrutiny

⭐ SAEF™ 3 Day Programme Outline

🔵 Day 1: Legal Framework, Guidance & Trauma Informed Foundations

• Overview of statutory duties, case law and national guidance shaping age assessment practice

• Introduction to trauma informed practice principles and their relevance to age assessment

• Preparing for an age assessment: planning, information gathering, environment, expectations

• Establishing psychological safety for young people and practitioners

• Pre assessment checks, early indicators, and managing uncertainty from the outset

🔵 Day 2: Applying Trauma Informed Practice & Using the SAEF™ Framework

• Using TIP principles in direct work with young people

• Communication, rapport building and culturally sensitive engagement

• Structuring the assessment using SAEF™ stages

• Interviewing techniques: pacing, questioning, sequencing and avoiding re traumatisation

• Observations, chronological markers, developmental indicators and contextual factors

• Analysing information using SAEF™ reasoning tools

• Practical exercises: case studies, scenario based activities, reflective discussion

🔵 Day 3: Decision Making, Recording & Writing the Report

• Translating evidence into clear, defensible reasoning

• Managing ambiguity and articulating uncertainty

• Writing structured, court ready SAEF™ reports

• Using templates to ensure consistency, transparency and legal robustness

• Quality assurance: common pitfalls and how to avoid them

• Final reflective practice session and consolidation of learning

📍 SAEF™ has been endorsed by the following organisations

• The Helen Bamber Foundation • The Refugee Council (announcement to be public June 2026)

⭐ Trainer Bio - Josephine Schofield

Jo is a qualified social worker and specialist trainer with extensive experience working with separated children seeking asylum. She has spent over seven years teaching age assessment practice to thousands of social workers, lawyers, NGO practitioners and safeguarding partners across the UK. Her work focuses on building practitioner confidence, reducing anxiety around complex decision making, and translating legal and policy requirements into clear, defensible, trauma informed practice.

Jo is the Director of ISWS and the lead developer of the Social Work Age Estimation Framework (SAEF), a nationally recognised approach designed to support fair, culturally sensitive and child centred age assessments. Her training is grounded in current case law, statutory guidance and real world frontline experience, with an emphasis on reflective practice, anti discriminatory thinking and professional judgement.

Jo is regularly instructed as an independent age assessor and has been described by the courts as a “pre eminent expert in the field of age assessment.” Jo also chairs the BASW Unaccompanied and Asylum Seeking Children Special Interest Group, contributing to national guidance and sector development. Her sessions are practical, honest and practitioner focused, giving staff the tools, structure and confidence they need to undertake robust, lawful and compassionate age assessments.

Delivered using MS Teams in an interactive virtual classroom with limited group sizes. Corporate multi booking rates available - contact ProfDE@basw.co.uk for details.

If you’re not yet a BASW member, now’s the perfect time to join. Membership starts from just £5.39 a month and gives you access to this training, plus a huge range of BASW events, at a significantly reduced rate. It’s a great way to invest in your professional growth while connecting with a supportive community. Learn more here: https://basw.co.uk/why-join-basw