)
Recognising & Preventing FGM — Free Introductory Awareness Course
You don't need to be a safeguarding professional to help protect someone at risk. If you work in the community — in a shop, salon, taxi, café, or anywhere people talk — you could be the person who notices something isn't right. This free online course gives you the knowledge to recognise the warning signs of FGM, understand where to get help, and feel confident taking action.
RegisterWhat You’ll Learn
This short, accessible course is designed for anyone who wants to understand FGM and feel prepared if they ever encounter someone at risk. You’ll learn:
- What FGM is and the different names it goes by
- Which communities are most affected and why
- The warning signs that someone may be at risk
- How to make a referral if you have a concern
- Where survivors and those at risk can find support
FGM Training Course details
Free. Online. Takes under an hour.
- 100% free — no payment details required
- Complete at your own pace, on any device
- Certificate of completion included
- No prior knowledge or experience needed
)
Who is this course for?
Made for everyday community roles
You don’t need a formal safeguarding role to make a difference. This course is for anyone whose day-to-day work puts them in contact with the public, including:
- Taxi and private hire drivers
- Hairdressers and beauty therapists
- Supermarket, retail and hospitality staff
- Receptionists and administrative staff
- Library, job centre and leisure centre staff
- Support workers and care assistants
- Community volunteers — including faith, youth and sports groups
People in roles like these are often trusted by the communities they serve. That trust means you may be one of the first to notice a concern — and this course helps you know what to do
Why Choose Virtual College
- Developed by experts – Trusted, authoritative content aligned with current legislation.
- Trusted by professionals nationwide – Used by thousands across the UK.
- Flexible online learning – Learn anytime, anywhere, at your own pace.
- Expert-led, up-to-date courses – Created and reviewed by industry specialists.
- Instant certification – Recognised certificates on completion.
Leading Safeguarding trainer
Virtual College is a leading expert in safeguarding training, that’s why we deliver free training in FGM, Forced Marriage and many more courses.
)
Deepen Your Understanding of FGM
We also offer a paid extended FGM course designed for professionals who want a deeper understanding of safeguarding, cultural context, and legislation.
FGM (abuse linked to Faith or Belief), is a paid for course for £30.
This CPD-certified course builds on the free introduction and covers:
- Detailed types and forms of FGM
- Cultural and contextual awareness
- Legal duties, reporting responsibilities, and safeguarding practices
- Case studies and practical interventions
Ideal for: Professionals who require a more comprehensive, in-depth training.
Subscribe to be the first to hear our latest news
Loading
16th October 2026
GREAT COURSE
learning broken down into modules so if need be can stop and return to course. Exceptional value for money and great course content.
16th October 2026
Easy to use, comprehensive course.
Not the cheapest course on line for this qualification but I felt the best overall. I don't like on line learning but this course was easy to use. Followed a logical sequence and more importantly there were no crashes or other IT problems. I'd use them again.
15th October 2026
We have used virtual college several…
We have used virtual college several times now and find them quick and easy to use with good content in their courses.
14th October 2026
It was great to do the training on our…
It was great to do the training on our own pace and revisit things we needed to learn properly. Training content was good.
13th October 2026
Over all good experience
Very good content well explained. My only problem was the size and colour of the script. Script need to be in black and larger. I am waiting for a cataract operation at the moment, as many others could be also, maybe also other eye problems which is made difficult when grey and small script is used.
12th October 2026
It was a good experience and the course…
It was a good experience and the course was well structured and taught me everything I needed to know
11th October 2026
Easy enjoyable learning
Easy enjoyable learning
11th October 2026
Great and amazing resource for…
Great and amazing resource for certification.
11th October 2026
Thanks for all
Thanks for all
11th October 2026
Eery thing was good
Good guidance.
Excellent
4.8 out of 5
16505 Reviews on
