New FREE Understanding FGM and Awareness of Forced Marriage courses now available

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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.

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What 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
Register
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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.

Register
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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.

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4 star rating on Trustpilot

12th June 2026

Straight forward to book and straight…

Straight forward to book and straight forward to pass the training on to the appropriate person.

5 star rating on Trustpilot

11th June 2026

Easy to access a very comprehensive…

Easy to access a very comprehensive safeguarding course

5 star rating on Trustpilot

11th June 2026

Easy to follow

Easy to follow

5 star rating on Trustpilot

11th June 2026

Easy and understandable no fuss

Easy and understandable no fuss

5 star rating on Trustpilot

9th June 2026

V.GOOD

UNIQUE AND PROFESSIONAL

5 star rating on Trustpilot

9th June 2026

Easy to use, accessible and affordable

The website is easy to use, and the course options are vast, so you have many CPD and compliance accreditations you can acquire, which is brilliant. Pricing is affordable, and courses are easily accessible from digital devices.

5 star rating on Trustpilot

9th June 2026

Great course

Great course, very enlightening

5 star rating on Trustpilot

9th June 2026

It was easy to book and the course was…

It was easy to book and the course was full of up todate information

5 star rating on Trustpilot

8th June 2026

Simple and straightforward purchase.

Simple and straightforward purchase.

5 star rating on Trustpilot

8th June 2026

Easy to use

After an initial hiccup, registering the staff, this was resolved quite quickly and the process for booking was very easy and straight forward.

Excellent

4.8 out of 5 stars

4.8 out of 5

16342 Reviews on

Trustpilot