at training is always introductory; understanding the system will be long term work, driven by an understanding of their specific duties. 5 Emotional demands of CSC data work For some people, first-hand exposure to CSC practice, and the stories of young people and families engaged with CSC, can be a very challenging experience in terms of emotional demands. While it's valuable to understand the "real work" before beginning to perform data analysis on the information we record about that work, case files and casework conversations often contain detailed descriptions of serious child abuse; as a manager or mentor, you must exercise judgement about how to appropriately convey that insight into what the data represent. As a new colleague, you must remain mindful of your own responses to this kind of experience and material. It’s okay to be deeply upset by stories of family breakdown, child abuse, or exploitation – especially when these are made “real” to you, sometimes by specific details of place or consequence which resonate. Social workers receive training on this kind of experience and common responses, but it’s far less common for data professionals to do the same. In the first instance, if you feel that your work, or your organisation’s approach to your professional development, is having undue impact on your wellbeing, you should speak to your line manager or an appropriate organisational representative. Managers and organisations should support employees in such a situation, and tailor learning accordingly. 6 2. How CSC works The national framework for CSC is defined by the Department for Education (DfE). The legal basis is drawn from several pieces of legislation; the most important thing to understand is that there are some specific legal requirements, and plenty 