The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has launched a new eLearning module aimed at supporting fire and rescue staff and volunteers across the UK who work with children and young people in prevention, education and community engagement roles.
Released to coincide with National Children’s Day on May 10, the Introduction to Working with Children and Young People module is designed to provide nationally consistent guidance for staff and volunteers engaging with young people in settings such as schools, youth groups, Fire Cadets and other youth-focused programmes.
Available through NFCC’s Organisational Learning Materials Library, the resource covers safeguarding responsibilities, professional boundaries and appropriate conduct when working with children and young people.
NFCC said the module is intended as both an introductory resource for those new to youth engagement roles and a refresher for experienced staff.
Fire and rescue staff to cover ‘wide range of settings’
Chair of NFCC’s Children & Young People Board, Mark Baxter, said: “Fire and rescue staff and volunteers engage with children and young people in a wide range of settings, from prevention and education to youth programmes such as Fire Cadets.
“It is vital that they are supported with consistent, high quality learning to help them carry out this work safely, confidently and professionally. This eLearning provides an important foundation, supporting good practice and helping services deliver positive outcomes for children and young people in their communities.
“Launching the eLearning to coincide with National Children’s Day on 10 May reinforces the importance of ensuring staff and volunteers understand their responsibilities, maintain clear professional boundaries, and know how to act on concerns to keep children and young people safe.”
The module introduces key principles intended to help learners understand the needs and experiences of children and young people, recognise appropriate professional behaviour and respond to safeguarding concerns.
NFCC said the eLearning forms part of its wider programme to support fire and rescue services working with young people, alongside the Level 2 Award in Fire & Rescue Service – Introduction to Working with Children and Young People, developed in collaboration with Skills for Justice Awards.
The organisation said the learning resource is available to NFCC members through its website and can be integrated into local learning management systems to support induction, refresher training and pre-course preparation.
NFCC is an independent membership association and charity representing the UK Fire and Rescue Service. The organisation supports fire and rescue services across the country in prevention, protection and operational activities aimed at improving community safety.