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

A woman sits on a sunlit hallway floor, hugging her knees, with a backpack beside her.

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.

Register

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
a woman with long hair covers her face with her hands, standing against a softly lit wall, conveying a sense of distress or emotion

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
Text reads "Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and Abuse linked to Faith or Belief" with an abstract design and logo of Virtual College.

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.

Buy now

Subscribe to be the first to hear our latest news

Loading

5 star rating on Trustpilot

23rd June 2026

Easy to follow course and then the…

Easy to follow course and then the assessment completed after. Great to get it done in two hours. Saved a proposed all day at work!

5 star rating on Trustpilot

22nd June 2026

Good service easy to use.

Good service easy to use.

5 star rating on Trustpilot

22nd June 2026

Easy and simple to help get my business…

Easy and simple to help get my business up and running. Thank you

5 star rating on Trustpilot

21st June 2026

The course was clear and informative

The course was clear and informative, and a good basis for hands-on training

5 star rating on Trustpilot

21st June 2026

It was hard course but virtual…

It was hard course but virtual learning made it easier

5 star rating on Trustpilot

19th June 2026

Excellent course

Excellent course, easy to navigate around. The course was recommended to myself and I will certainly pass that recommendation on.

5 star rating on Trustpilot

19th June 2026

Very easy to enrol and the course was…

Very easy to enrol and the course was well put together with easy to follow instructions .

4 star rating on Trustpilot

18th June 2026

Simple process to complete mandatory training

Simple process, helpful resources and largely user friendly interface.

5 star rating on Trustpilot

16th June 2026

Great value for price

Great value for price. Very effective. Great amount of contents and is right!

5 star rating on Trustpilot

15th June 2026

Food hygiene and rules and regulations that govern it

Taking that class made me more knowledgeable , now i take more caution when it comes to food hygiene. This online class really helps alot

Excellent

4.8 out of 5 stars

4.8 out of 5

16357 Reviews on

Trustpilot