{"id":31003,"date":"2025-02-17T13:27:54","date_gmt":"2025-02-17T13:27:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/?page_id=31003"},"modified":"2025-02-17T13:33:16","modified_gmt":"2025-02-17T13:33:16","slug":"no-64-professional-curiosity","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/safeguarding\/guidance-policy-and-tools-2\/safeguarding-one-minute-guides\/no-64-professional-curiosity\/","title":{"rendered":"No. 64 Professional Curiosity"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-abed67cc wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column doc-aside is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\">\n<aside class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h2>Contents<\/h2><nav><ul><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#what-is-professional-curiosity\">What is Professional Curiosity?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#applying-professional-curiosity\">Applying Professional Curiosity<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#barriers-to-professional-curiosity\">Barriers to Professional Curiosity<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#developing-skills-in-professional-curiosity\">Developing skills in Professional Curiosity<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#professional-curiosity-culturally-competent-safeguarding-practice\">Professional curiosity &amp; culturally competent safeguarding practice<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#professional-curiosity-in-practice\">Professional Curiosity in practice<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#the-principles-of-the-restorative-framework\">The principles of the restorative framework<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#practical-top-tips\">Practical top tips<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"document-download-acf-block clearfix \" id=\"block_acf-block-67b33a99dca60\">\r\n\r\n\t\t<div class=\" dcc-documents-downloads hide-for-print\"><div class=\"dcc-documents-widget dcc-documents-widget-block\"><div class=\"dcc-documents-widget-box2\"><div class=\"content-container\"><div class=\"content-column download-copy\"><h2 class=\"dcc-documents-title\">Document resources<\/strong><\/h2><p class=\"dcc-documents-intro\">These files may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"content-column download-button\"><ul class=\"dcc-documents-widget-dropdown dcc-documents-widget-menu\"><li class=\"dcc-documents-widget-is-dropdown\"><button class=\"button secondary dcc-documents-widget-noarrow dcc-documents-widget-button dcc-documents-widget-download-button\" >Download<\/button><ul id=\"\" class=\"dcc-documents-widget-vertical dcc-documents-widget-menu dcc-documents-widget-is-submenu\" data-disable-hover=\"true\" data-click-open=\"true\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/devoncc.sharepoint.com\/:b:\/s\/PublicDocs\/Education\/EUgHlHURFhhKt5vM_FRHs98BXYI_X_0mDJN0tBxKbs8EAQ?e=75QjUT\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"dcc-documents-widget-text\"><span>No. 64 Professional Curiosity (Document)<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/aside>\n\n\n\t<div class=\"dcc-documents-cpt-fixed dccdocs-sticky dccdocs-hidden\">\r\n    <div class=\"grid-container\">\r\n        <div class=\"grid-x grid-margin-x\">\r\n            <div class=\"cell medium-12\">\r\n                <a class=\"back-to-top hide-for-print\" href=\"#content\"><svg class=\"app-c-back-to-top__icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"13\" height=\"17\" viewBox=\"0 0 13 17\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M6.5 0L0 6.5 1.4 8l4-4v12.7h2V4l4.3 4L13 6.4z\"><\/path><\/svg> Contents<\/a>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column doc-content is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:75%\">\n<article class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This One Minute Guide is for all education staff and leaders to support their practice in exercising professional curiosity. This is good practice in all interactions with children, families, care givers and other professionals. There are clear links with wider policies and practices including safeguarding policy and protocols as well as relational and restorative practice. It has been developed in partnership with the Devon Safeguarding Children\u2019s Partnership to offer consistence guidance across all agencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devonscp.org.uk\/training-and-resources\/levels-of-need\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Devon Levels of Need document<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devonscp.org.uk\/child-abuse\/neglect\/neglect-information-for-professionals\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Neglect toolkit<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-is-professional-curiosity\"><strong>What is Professional Curiosity?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Professional curiosity, (AKA &#8220;respectful nosiness&#8221; or &#8220;helpful scepticism,&#8221;) is essential in our work. It involves exploring and understanding situations by asking questions and keeping an open mind. It\u2019s about recognising your responsibility in managing risk and safety and knowing when to act, rather than making assumptions or taking things at face value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When a practitioner proactively tries to understand what is happening, rather than making assumptions or taking a single source of information and accepting it at face value, it supports our ability to \u2018think the unthinkable, believe the unbelievable\u201d &#8211; it can happen here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"applying-professional-curiosity\"><strong>Applying Professional Curiosity<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Professional curiosity is applicable in all relationships, communities, and support networks; it extends to our relationships with other professionals and ourselves. By appreciating multiple perspectives, we gain a deeper understanding of each other, which enhances our ability to collaborate effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Key Practices<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Ask questions<\/strong>: Spend time talking and listening to the people you are working with. Ask the &#8216;second question&#8217; to understand why something is happening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Consider multiple perspectives<\/strong>: Look beyond the surface to explore the lives of the people you are working with. Be aware of unconscious bias based on your own culture and background.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Challenge assumptions<\/strong>: Appropriately challenge thinking and decision-making, whether it is your own or that of others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Respectful uncertainty<\/strong>: Apply a critical eye to the information given; don\u2019t just accept at face value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All professionals should remember to discuss and log concerns with their Designated Safeguarding Lead and know when to escalate concerns as per their safeguarding policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"barriers-to-professional-curiosity\"><strong>Barriers to Professional Curiosity<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Rule of optimism<\/strong>: Rationalising away new or escalating risks despite clear evidence to the contrary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Accumulating risk<\/strong>: Responding to each situation or new risk on its own rather than assessing it within the context of the whole person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Normalisation<\/strong>: Ideas and actions becoming taken-for-granted or &#8216;natural&#8217; in everyday life, stopping them from being questioned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Professional deference<\/strong>: Deferring to the opinion of a &#8216;higher status&#8217; professional who has limited contact with the person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Confirmation bias<\/strong>: Looking for evidence that supports pre-held views and ignoring information that doesn\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"developing-skills-in-professional-curiosity\"><strong>Developing skills in Professional Curiosity<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Think the unthinkable<\/strong>: Maintain an open mind and be willing to think the unthinkable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Look, ask, listen, clarify and consider<\/strong>: Observe behaviours, ask questions, listen to verbal and non-verbal cues, and seek clarification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Supporting professionally curious practice supervision and professional discussions:<\/strong> Use these opportunities to question and explore an understanding of the lives of people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Group supervision<\/strong>: Stimulate debate and curious questioning, allowing practitioners to learn from one another\u2019s experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Professional curiosity is about being open-minded, asking questions, and considering multiple perspectives to understand and support the people we work with better.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"professional-curiosity-culturally-competent-safeguarding-practice\"><strong>Professional curiosity &amp; culturally competent safeguarding practice<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All professionals need to be professionally curious about a child, young person or adult with care and support need\u2019s faith, culture, and nationality, and take personal responsibility for informing their work with sufficient knowledge or seeking advice to support this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Practitioners must take personal responsibility for utilising specialist services\u2019 knowledge. Knowing about and using services available locally to provide relevant cultural and faith-related input to prevention, support and rehabilitation services for the child, young people and their families will support practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Knowing which agencies are available to access<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Having contact details to hand<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Timing requests for expert support and information appropriately to ensure that assessments, care planning and review are sound and holistic<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"professional-curiosity-in-practice\"><strong>Professional Curiosity in practice<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Professional curiosity is where a practitioner explores and proactively tries to understand what is happening within a family or for an individual, rather than making assumptions or taking a single source of information and accepting it at face value. This supports practitioners to \u2018think the unthinkable, believe the unbelievable\u2019 using a <strong>non-judgemental socially disciplined<\/strong> and <strong>restorative<\/strong> approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-principles-of-the-restorative-framework\"><strong>The principles of the restorative framework<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"709\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2025\/02\/OMG-64-The-principles-of-the-restorative-framework-709x600.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-31009\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2025\/02\/OMG-64-The-principles-of-the-restorative-framework-709x600.png 709w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2025\/02\/OMG-64-The-principles-of-the-restorative-framework-300x254.png 300w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2025\/02\/OMG-64-The-principles-of-the-restorative-framework-768x650.png 768w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2025\/02\/OMG-64-The-principles-of-the-restorative-framework-640x541.png 640w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2025\/02\/OMG-64-The-principles-of-the-restorative-framework.png 901w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 709px) 100vw, 709px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"practical-top-tips\"><strong>Practical top tips<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"596\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2025\/02\/OMG-64-Practical-top-tips-596x600.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-31010\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2025\/02\/OMG-64-Practical-top-tips-596x600.png 596w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2025\/02\/OMG-64-Practical-top-tips-298x300.png 298w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2025\/02\/OMG-64-Practical-top-tips-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2025\/02\/OMG-64-Practical-top-tips-768x773.png 768w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2025\/02\/OMG-64-Practical-top-tips-640x644.png 640w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2025\/02\/OMG-64-Practical-top-tips-1024x1031.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2025\/02\/OMG-64-Practical-top-tips.png 1416w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 596px) 100vw, 596px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/article>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"document-meta-acf-block clearfix \" id=\"block_acf-block-67b33a99dca8a\"><div class=\" dcc-documents-meta\"><div class=\"dcc-documents-widget dcc-documents-widget-block\"><div class=\"dcc-documents-widget-box2\"><p class=\"dcc-documents-published\"><span>Published<\/span> <time datetime=\"2025-02-17T13:27:54+00:00\">17\/02\/2025 1:27pm<\/time><\/p><p class=\"dcc-documents-updated\"><span>Last Updated<\/span> <time datetime=\"2025-02-17T13:33:16+00:00\">17\/02\/2025 1:33pm<\/time><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This One Minute Guide is for all education staff and leaders to support their practice in exercising professional curiosity. This is good practice in all [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2755,"featured_media":0,"parent":5639,"menu_order":62,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"longdocument-template.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-31003","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":{"updated":"","dccdocs_documents":[{"title":"No. 64 Professional Curiosity","file":"https:\/\/devoncc.sharepoint.com\/:b:\/s\/PublicDocs\/Education\/EUgHlHURFhhKt5vM_FRHs98BXYI_X_0mDJN0tBxKbs8EAQ?e=75QjUT","file_size":"","unit_type":"KB","file_type":"Document"}],"section-guidance":"","sections":null},"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-08-05 03:08:34","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/31003","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2755"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31003"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/31003\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31012,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/31003\/revisions\/31012"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5639"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31003"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}