The Pastoral Formation Institute is licensed by MFHEA
(Licence #: 2013-FHI-023) as a Further and Higher Educational Institute. The Award in Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults is accredited at EQF/MQF Level 4, as Further Education Programme.
This short course will support those who work with children and vulnerable adults, or who handle their data, in recognising the key principles of safeguarding and in learning how to create a safe environment for children, young people and vulnerable adults.
The intended learning outcomes:
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- familiarise themselves with safeguarding policies
- understand the legal obligations with child abuse
- identify signs and symptoms of abuse
- know the disclosures of abuse
- identify the principles of safeguarding
- practice professional boundaries
- know their legal obligations related to the Protection of Minors (Registration) Act (2011) and the Minors Protection Act (2019)
- learn about the different types of abuse and poor practice
- learn a standard response to a disclosure of abuse
- be able to recognise signs of abuse
- identify the actions to take if you have a concern and who can help
Chaplains and religious counsellors in schools
| Code | Mode of Delivery | Value |
|---|---|---|
| PFE/SCA4-23 | Blended Learning | 1 ECTS |
The course is delivered over 5 contact hours. These 5 hours are delivered over two sessions:
- 3 hours – In person session (Face-to-Face Learning)
- 2 hours – recorded material which can be accessed on the PFI`s Moodle Portal (Blended Learning)
Students will also be given additional reading material which they can read in their own time.
You may find all the dates in the Calendar section below.
Each course is delivered over two sessions; (a) 3-hour, in-person session and (b) 2 hours of recorded material which can be accessed on the PFI’s Moodle Portal.
June/July 2026
Lecturing Period
| Mode of Delivery | Date & Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| In-person | Friday 5th June 2026 from 9:00am – 12:00pm | Archbishop’s Seminary, Rabat |
| Recorded Material | Friday 5th June 2026 | Recorded videos on the VLE platform |
Assessment Period:
| Assessment | Available From | Due by |
|---|---|---|
| Short Multiple-Choice Online Exam | Friday 5th June 2026 | Friday 19th June 2026 |
| Reflective Journal | Friday 5th June 2026 | Sunday 5th July 2026 |
This course has three exit certificate options:
- Certificate of Attendance
A Certificate of Attendance will be awarded to students who:
- attend the in‑person session,
- watch all the recorded material, and
- do not submit any course assessments.
- Certificate of Participation
A Certificate of Participation will be rewarded to students who:
- attend the in‑person session,
- watch all the recorded material, and
- submit and pass a short online multiple‑choice examination
- Certificate of Achievement
A Certificate of Achievement is awarded to students who successfully concluded the course, that is;
- attending the in‑person lecture and completing all online videos,
- submit and pass a short online multiple‑choice examination
- submit and pass a short reflective journal.
Students who obtain the Certificate of Achievement will also receive an MFHEA‑recognised certificate and transcript at MQF Level 4 (1 ECTS credit). It is highly recommended, though not mandatory, that you work towards achieving the Certificate of Achievement.
Click here to view the PFI’s Grading System
EQF/MQF Level: Level 4
Accreditation Category: Further Education Programme
Total ECTS: 1 ECTS
Teaching Institutions: Safeguarding Commission together with Pastoral Formation Institute
Award Institution: Pastoral Formation Institute
The Pastoral Formation Institute is licensed by MFHEA
(Licence #: 2013-FHI-023) as a Further and Higher Educational Institute. The Award in Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults is accredited at EQF/MQF Level 4, as Further Education Programme.
Qualifications: Every application will be considered on its individual merits. The Pastoral Formation Institute accepts a wide range of qualifications, and we always try to judge applications on the basis of academic potential. We do consider a very wide range of academic, vocational, and professional qualifications, as well as work and other appropriate experiences and skills.
Language: Primary level understanding of Maltese and English.
Digital: Knows how to access the internet and use a word processor.
