Professional Curiosity and Unconscious Bias

Background Information

Professional curiosity is the capacity and communication skill to bring together information from a range of sources to explore and understand what is happening with an individual. Unconscious bias is about unconscious forms of discrimination and stereotyping. Being mindful of professional curiosity and unconscious bias is vital in responding to the often highly complex cases that are characteristic of Safeguarding Adult Reviews, where multiple risks and vulnerabilities may extend over considerable periods of time. 

Course Aim

This course aims to equip practitioners with knowledge and understanding of the importance of being ‘professionally curious’ and avoiding unconscious bias and how to develop their skills when they are working with individuals in Oldham. This course is suitable for all practitioners working within statutory and non-statutory services supporting 'Adults at Risk of Harm' in a range of settings across Oldham. Course Objectives By the end of this session, you will: 

  • understand the importance of professional curiosity 
  • recognise the barriers to professional curiosity 
  • be provided with tips about challenging and holding difficult conversations 
  • understand the meaning of unconscious bias and the various categories of unconscious bias 
  • be familiar with the protected characteristics that it is against the law to discriminate against someone because of under the Equality Act 
  • understand how to avoid or tackle unconscious bias.

Times/Dates/Venue 

Either attend a session delivered live or attend a ‘webinar’. A webinar provides the chance to watch a pre-recorded session and ask any questions. 

  • Webinar: 12:00-14:00, 27 March 2024 via Microsoft Teams 
  • Live Session: 15:00-16:30, 9 May 2024 via Microsoft Teams 
  • Live Session: 15:00-16:30, 11 July 2024 via Microsoft Teams 
  • Live Session: 15:00-16:30, 12 September 2024, via Microsoft Teams 
  • Live Session: 15:00-16:30, 14 November 2024, via Microsoft Teams 

Book Your Place 

If you would like to book a place to attend either date, please send your name, role, and email address to OldhamSafeguardingAdultsBoard@oldham.gov.uk.