Virtual College and SaffronSDGF to pilot ground breaking safeguarding training in Nigeria
Virtual College is working with Saffron Social Development Global Foundation (SaffronSDGF) to pilot ground breaking ‘Online Safeguarding and Child Protection Training’ starting from Lagos State in Nigeria.
The partnership comes in response to Lagos State Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy making it mandatory for all ministries, departments and agencies, including schools, the police and private organisations, to develop and adopt a ‘Child Focused Agenda’ in implementing the policy.
Saffron Social Development Global Foundation (SaffronSDGF) is a ‘Social Development’ people-oriented non-government organisation with a mission to ‘Raise Standards, Protect Children and Improve Lives for Better Outcomes for Society’. The combined efforts of professionals in SaffronSDGF help to intervene pointedly and engage with communities, adding value to the lives of vulnerable and disadvantaged children. ‘Safeguarding the Nigerian Child’ (SNC) is registered with the United Nations (UN) partnership towards achieving the Global ‘Sustainable Developmental Goals’ for Nigeria.
Virtual College is the UK's number one provider of online safeguarding solutions. Their online safeguarding learning resources were first developed in 2006, created to provide a cost effective route to accelerate education and training around awareness of child abuse.
Virtual College has developed over 40 safeguarding and child protection courses that range from ‘Awareness of Child Abuse and Neglect’ to ‘Children’s and Young People’s Development’.
Over one million people and more than 60 Local Safeguarding Children Boards have benefitted from these online training resources. In addition, statutory agencies responsible for child protection, including social workers, individuals, charities, schools, hospitals, private businesses, the police and local government are regular users of Virtual College’s courses.
Opeyemi Ebulu-Eyuruntari, CEO and Principal Consultant of SaffronSDGF, commented:”We are pleased to tap into the online safeguarding and child protection training expertise Virtual College has developed over a long period.
“Ten schools have been identified to be part of the pilot programme which will involve five teachers from each school.”
As a member of the Lagos State Sub-Committee for Child Protection and Children’s Rights, SaffronSDGF advocated that the ‘Safeguarding Agenda’ be enshrined in the newly completed ‘Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy’ for the State.
Hannah Brindle, Director at Virtual College, commented: “Online training provides real flexibility allowing learners to train at a time, pace and place to suit themselves so they can learn in bite-sized elements if they choose.
“As the resources are interesting and engaging, they can provide a very effective learning solution.
“There are over 15,000 teachers alone within the Lagos State area so we hope that this valuable and affordable online learning can help provide a rapid and effective training solution.”