Protection, Gender & Child Rights
Child Protection & Safeguarding
Practical safeguarding skills for staff, volunteers, teachers and community workers who work around children.
View prospectus
Programme rationale
Practical safeguarding skills for staff, volunteers, teachers and community workers who work around children. The programme is structured for learners who need practical, assessable capability they can connect to real responsibilities while continuing work or other commitments.
Programme at a glance
Around 12 weeks of guided study, typically two sessions a week plus independent work, so you can keep working while you study.
| Unit | Study block | Module |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Weeks 1–2 | Child rights and the protection framework |
| 2 | Weeks 3–4 | Identifying abuse, neglect and exploitation risks |
| 3 | Weeks 5–6 | Case identification, referral pathways and documentation |
| 4 | Weeks 7–8 | Safeguarding policies, codes of conduct and reporting |
| 5 | Weeks 9–12 | PSEA awareness and survivor-centred practice |
Target audience & entry requirements
Target audience
- • Protection, safeguarding, education and community-service personnel.
- • Volunteers and focal persons who support children, survivors, families or at-risk communities.
- • Learners seeking practical, ethical foundations for protection-related work.
Entry requirements
- • Basic literacy and secondary-level education, or relevant practical work experience.
- • Access to a phone, tablet or computer for online and blended study.
- • Commitment to attend sessions and submit assignments on time.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the programme, learners should be able to:
- Recognise and respond to protection concerns appropriately
- Apply case referral pathways and confidentiality rules
- Draft and roll out a basic safeguarding policy
Detailed modules
Each module below follows this programme’s published syllabus and contributes to the final practical work.
- 1
Child rights and the protection framework
Weeks 1–2Apply child rights and the protection framework through systematic risk identification, proportionate controls, safe documentation and escalation.
What you cover
- Hazards, exposure and professional responsibilities within child rights and the protection framework
- Prevention, control and response measures
- Inspection, recording, referral and improvement actions
Assessed work: Complete a scenario-based risk, control or referral exercise for child rights and the protection framework.
- 2
Identifying abuse, neglect and exploitation risks
Weeks 3–4Apply identifying abuse, neglect and exploitation risks through systematic risk identification, proportionate controls, safe documentation and escalation.
What you cover
- Hazards, exposure and professional responsibilities within identifying abuse, neglect and exploitation risks
- Prevention, control and response measures
- Inspection, recording, referral and improvement actions
Assessed work: Complete a scenario-based risk, control or referral exercise for identifying abuse, neglect and exploitation risks.
- 3
Case identification, referral pathways and documentation
Weeks 5–6Study case identification, referral pathways and documentation in the context of protection, Gender & Child Rights, connecting essential concepts with practical decisions and professional documentation.
What you cover
- Essential concepts and terminology within case identification, referral pathways and documentation
- Methods, tools and professional standards used in practice
- Application through a relevant case, task or workplace scenario
Assessed work: Complete a guided case task applying case identification, referral pathways and documentation to a realistic setting.
- 4
Safeguarding policies, codes of conduct and reporting
Weeks 7–8Apply safeguarding policies, codes of conduct and reporting through systematic risk identification, proportionate controls, safe documentation and escalation.
What you cover
- Hazards, exposure and professional responsibilities within safeguarding policies, codes of conduct and reporting
- Prevention, control and response measures
- Inspection, recording, referral and improvement actions
Assessed work: Complete a scenario-based risk, control or referral exercise for safeguarding policies, codes of conduct and reporting.
- 5
PSEA awareness and survivor-centred practice
Weeks 9–12Study PSEA awareness and survivor-centred practice in the context of protection, Gender & Child Rights, connecting essential concepts with practical decisions and professional documentation.
What you cover
- Essential concepts and terminology within PSEA awareness and survivor-centred practice
- Methods, tools and professional standards used in practice
- Application through a relevant case, task or workplace scenario
Assessed work: Complete a guided case task applying PSEA awareness and survivor-centred practice to a realistic setting.
Practical project / portfolio
Draft a safeguarding policy and referral pathway for your own organisation.
Teaching & learning approach
- Tutor-led explanation and demonstration focused on the published module topics.
- Guided practice using cases, scenarios, templates or production tasks relevant to the programme.
- Individual and group feedback that helps learners improve work before final submission.
- Flexible online, face-to-face or blended participation, with evening and weekend scheduling where available.
Assessment & completion
- • Short applied tasks linked to the published modules.
- • Practical component: Draft a safeguarding policy and referral pathway for your own organisation.
- • A final assessment or portfolio review covering the full syllabus.
- • Participation in guided sessions, discussions and group exercises.
Learner support
- • Session handouts, checklists and templates you keep after the course.
- • Case material and worked examples based on community and field practice.
- • Tutor guidance by WhatsApp between sessions.
How this programme is delivered
Online
Guided sessions and assignments you can follow from anywhere with a connection.
Face-to-face
Classroom sessions at our Mile 91 learning centre, including weekend and evening options.
Blended
A mix of online study with periodic in-person workshops, field exercises and simulations.
Career & professional pathways
This programme supports professional development; it does not guarantee employment, promotion or entry to a regulated occupation.
- Apply the programme’s tools in field, programme, coordination or community-facing responsibilities related to protection, Gender & Child Rights.
- Use the completed project or portfolio as evidence of applied professional development.
- Progress to related SLIHSD intermediate or advanced professional learning where available.
Fees & enrolment
- • Indicative programme fee: SLE 2,500.
- • One-off indicative registration fee: SLE 100.
- • Final fees, start date, delivery arrangement and any instalment option are confirmed in writing before commitment.
- • Submitting an application does not require payment and does not guarantee admission.
Regulatory & recognition notice
SLIHSD is a developing professional learning institution. Accreditation and formal recognition are subject to applicable regulatory approvals. Completion records an SLIHSD professional short course and is not presented as an accredited academic award.
Learners who complete all assessments receive an SLIHSD professional certificate of completion. This records completion of an SLIHSD short course and is not presented as an accredited academic award.
Ready to start Child Protection & Safeguarding?
Applications for the Founding Student Intake 2026 are open. Register your interest and we will guide you to the right programme.