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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

19th August 2026

Comprehensive yet high quality

Clear explanation

5 star rating on Trustpilot

18th August 2026

Very easy to use and very informative

Very easy to use and very informative. Great value.

5 star rating on Trustpilot

17th August 2026

Very clear and easy to use course…

Very clear and easy to use course interface. Great that you can do it in sections , save and then return

5 star rating on Trustpilot

17th August 2026

Never done this sort of course before…

Never done this sort of course before but found it easy to navigate and do.

4 star rating on Trustpilot

16th August 2026

It easy to access the college materials…

It easy to access the college materials for my course. The price for courses are affordable. I can study at anytime thats convient to for me.

5 star rating on Trustpilot

15th August 2026

Learning and teaching or just updating…

Learning and teaching or just updating I would use virtual college again, simple to understand and gets the job done, sensible, affordable price too.

5 star rating on Trustpilot

14th August 2026

Great course

Great course

5 star rating on Trustpilot

14th August 2026

Very good

Very good. The exam questions were interesting, easy to learn, and easy to understand. I passed the exam in a very short time.

5 star rating on Trustpilot

13th August 2026

very easy to order would highly…

very easy to order would highly reccomend

5 star rating on Trustpilot

12th August 2026

Very easy to follow all the steps

Very easy to follow all the steps, user friendly and a very reasonable price

Excellent

5 out of 5 stars

4.8 out of 5

16419 Reviews on

Trustpilot