Professional curiosity

Being professionally curious is an essential attribute for practitioners working to safeguard children and young people from exploitation. It involves a reflective, inquisitive mindset, one that encourages practitioners to question, analyse, and explore beyond surface level information, rather than making assumptions or accepting things at face value.

Professional curiosity supports the early identification of subtle signs of CCE and helps practitioners consider the broader context of a child or young person’s life, including the impact of transgenerational trauma, identity, local dynamics, and community influences. By embedding professional curiosity into everyday practice, practitioners can better navigate complexity and respond to children and young people’s needs in ways that are both compassionate and effective.

"Actively engage in reflective practice: To be able to listen carefully to young people and to identify their overt and underlying needs and vulnerabilities, you need to be aware of and to constantly challenge your assumptions and biases. (Consider engaging in a diverse community of practice that will both support and challenge you)" Why Riot