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Award in Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults

17/02/2024   Refectory, Archbishop`s Curia, Floriana
Safeguarding Others
MQF

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 assist employees and volunteers who work with children and vulnerable adults or handle their data, to recognise the key principles of safeguarding and learn 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:

  1. familiarise themselves with safeguarding policies
  2. understand the legal obligations with child abuse
  3. identify signs and symptoms of abuse
  4. know the disclosures of abuse
  5. identify the principles of safeguarding
  6. practice professional boundaries
  7. know their legal obligations related to the Protection of Minors (Registration) Act (2011) and the Minors Protection Act (2019)
  8. learn about the different types of abuse and poor practice
  9. learn a standard response to a disclosure of abuse
  10. be able to recognise signs of abuse
  11. identify the actions to take if you have a concern and who can help

Click here to view and download a detailed course description

  • Employees who work with children and vulnerable adults
  • Employees who handle children and vulnerable adults` data
  • Volunteers who work with children and vulnerable adults
  • Volunteers who handle children and vulnerable adults` data.

CodeMode of DeliveryValue
SGC4001Blended Learning1 ECTS

The course is delivered over 5 contact hours. These 5 hours are delivered over two sessions:

  1. 3 hours – In person session (Face-to-Face Learning)
  2. 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.

Click here to view and download a detailed course description

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.

February 2024
Lecturing Period
Mode of DeliveryDate & TimeVenue
In-person17th February 2024Catholic Institute, Floriana
Recorded Material17th – 26th February 2024Recorded Videos on the VLE platform
Assessment Period:
AssessmentAvailable FromDue by
Short Multiple-Choice Online Exam26th February 2024Monday 4th March 2024
Reflective Journal26th February 2024Monday 26th March 2024

This course has three exit certificate options: 

  1. Certificate of Attendance

A Certificate of Attendance will be rewarded to students who have:

  • attended in-person session
  • watched all the recorded material
  • and did not submit any course assessments.
  1. Certificate of Participation 

A Certificate of Participation* will be rewarded to students who meet the attendance criteria and successfully conclude the course multiple choice test. (please check the calendar tab above for exam dates)

  1. Certificate of Achievement 

A Certificate of Achievement* is awarded to students who successfully concluded the course, that is;

  • meet the attendance criteria
  • sit and pass the short multiple-choice online exam (mentioned in point 2),
  • and also submit a written assessment

Click here to view the PFI`s Grading System

*To obtain a Certificate of Achievement or a Certificate of Participation, a student must; attend all the contact hours and successfully conclude the assessment/s.

EQF/MQF Level: Level 4

Accreditation Category: Further Education Programme

Total ECTS: 2 ECTS

Teaching Institutions: Safeguarding Commission together with Pastoral Formation Institute

Award Institution: Pastoral Formation Institute

MQF

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.

For courses offered in face-to-face learning and Blended Learning, it is required that applicants reside in the Maltese Islands and use their Maltese address in their application form.

For further information regarding visa requirements, head to Identity Malta’s VISA requirement for third-country nationals.

Introduction to Catechetical Ministry for Children

21/10/2023   Archbishop’s Curia Refectory, Floriana
catechist

This course is intended to form and support catechists who wish to become better acquainted with the basic tenets of the Catholic Faith, in view of their service to the Christian community as a catechist.

By the end of this course, the learner will:
  • become acquainted with the main theological areas underlying catechetical ministry;
  • become equipped with essential practical skills needed in the service of catechetical ministry.

Applicants who are in possession of a Diploma (or higher) in Theology or Religious Studies are exempted from Module 1 Faith Foundations for Ministry.

Applicants who are in possession of an Award in Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults certificate are exempt from Module 3 Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults. In both cases, applicants are required to send a copy of their qualifications to [email protected] upon application. A formal email is sent to applicants once the qualifications are reviewed.

  • Catechists* who teach children and adolescents.

Catechists who do have a qualification in theology may opt out of attending Module 1: Faith Foundation for Ministry.

Target Audience Age: 18+

The course is made up of one asynchronous module and two blended modules:

Modules:
PFA4001Faith Foundations for Ministry1 Credit
PFA4003Faith Foundations for Ministry Seminars1 Credit
PFA4002Basic Themes in Catechetical Ministry for Children3 Credits
PFE4001Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults 1 ECTS
Module 1 – Faith Foundation for Ministry

This module offers a basic introduction to key themes of the main areas of Christian theology. These include fundamental, scriptural, dogmatic, ecclesiological, and ethical theological concepts guiding the evangelising mission of the Church.

By the end of the module the learner will have:
  • become aware of what the sources of theology are;
  • gained a basic understanding of the main areas of Christian theology.
Module 2 – Basic Themes in Catechetical Ministry for Children

This module will enable the participants to construct a holistic vision of the catechetical ministry which responds to contemporary needs. It will address various areas of knowledge and skills necessary for the formation of the catechetical minister. The formation will cover theoretical and practical aspects of basic catechetical principles, formation in catechetical methodology, recourse to the appropriate social sciences, meeting the needs of children with different social and or psychological needs, and lesson planning.

At the end of the module, the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:
  • become aware of the call as a catechist and why this role is valuable within the Church; 
  • develop a thorough and holistic view of the different aspects which build up the core identity of the catechetical minister in the Church;
  • develop the ability to apply the basic principles acquired in the previous module (Module 1) to the specific catechetical field.
  • become acquainted with the main theological areas underlying catechetical ministry; 
  • become equipped with essential practical skills needed in the service of catechetical ministry 
Module 3 – Faith Foundation for Ministry Seminars
Module 4 – Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults

This short course will assist employees and volunteers who work with children and vulnerable adults or handle their data, to recognise the key principles of safeguarding and learn 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:

  1. familiarise themselves with safeguarding policies
  2. understand the legal obligations with child abuse
  3. identify signs and symptoms of abuse
  4. know the disclosures of abuse
  5. identify the principles of safeguarding
  6. practice professional boundaries
  7. know their legal obligations related to the Protection of Minors (Registration) Act (2011) and the Minors Protection Act (2019)
  8. learn about the different types of abuse and poor practice
  9. understand a standard response to a disclosure of abuse
  10. be able to recognise signs of abuse
  11. identify the actions to take if you have a concern and who can help

Click here for more information on the Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults module.

Module 1 – Faith Foundation for Ministry

The first module of this course is made up of 7 recorded sessions.

Applicants will have access to this material on the PFI`s Moodle Portal. The module is delivered in short, recorded sessions which are each about 15 minutes long. The students will be provided with a username and a password so they can watch these sessions on their own device. The total number of minutes amounts to 8 hours.

Recorded Sessions
  • The Sacred Scriptures
  • The Scriptures, Tradition and Magisterium
  • The Christian doctrine of God of Jesus Christ
  • The Holy Spirit
  • The Church as the builder of the Kingdom of God 
  • The Meaning of the Sacraments and the Liturgy
  • The Catholic Social Teaching of the Church 
Module 2 – Basic Themes in Catechetical Ministry for Children

The second module of this course is made up of 3 in-person sessions and 9 recorded sessions. Recorded sessions will be available on the PFI`s Moodle Portal VLE platform, which participants can follow at their own pace.

In-Person Seminars

Saturdays between 9:30am – 12:00pm

DatesSeminar Titles
21st October 2023My Mission and Vocation as a Catechist
25th November 2023Understanding Those Whom We Accompany
20th January 2024The Digital Era & Catechesis: Practical Aspects
16th March 2024The Sacred Scriptures
20th April 2024The Catholic Social Teaching of the Church
Recorded Sessions
  • The Identity of Catechesis
  • The Catechists and their role in the Church
  • Jesus the Teacher
  • The five aspects of Catechesis
  • The Language of Catechesis
  • The Spirituality of the Catechist
  • Catechesis for children and adolescents with different conditions
  • Christian Initiation and Adult Catechesis
  • Lesson planning & Catechetical resources
Module 3 – Faith Foundation for Ministry Seminars

The third module of this course is made up of 2 in-person sessions.

In-Person Seminars

Saturdays between 9:30am – 12:00pm

DatesSeminar Titles
16th March 2024The Sacred Scriptures
20th April 2024The Catholic Social Teaching of the Church
Module 4 – Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults

The module is delivered over 5 contact hours. These 5 hours are delivered over two sessions:

  1. 3 hours – In-person session
  2. 2 hours – recorded material which can be accessed on the PFI`s Moodle Portal.

Students will also be given additional reading material they can read in their own time.

In-Person Session: Saturday 17th February 2024 between 9:30 am – 12:30 pm

Click here for more information on the Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults module.

Assessment: 

This course has two exit certificate options: 

  1. Certificate of Participation 
  • attend all in-person seminars;
  • pass the short multiple-choice online exams (per module); 

2. Certificate of Achievement 

To obtain a Certificate of Achievement, students need to: 

  • attend all in-person seminars;
  • pass the short multiple-choice online exams (per module); 
  • and successfully complete a written assignment (per module);

Final Awards: Introduction to Catechetical Ministry & Award in Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults

Teaching Institution/s: Pastoral Formation Institute in collaboration with Lifelong Catechesis, and Safeguarding Commission

Duration:  5 months part-time (35 hours)

* To obtain a Certificate of Achievement a student must: attend a minimum of 80% of each module and Pass successfully the assignment

  • Applicants who have an MQF/EQF level 4 (or higher) in Theology or Religious Studies, or have a General Education Award in Evangelisation, will be exempted from Module 1 Faith Foundation for Ministry. Applicants are required to send a copy of their qualifications to [email protected] upon application. A formal email is sent to applicants once the qualifications are reviewed.
  • Applicants who have an Award in Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults certificate are exempt from Module 3 Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults. Applicants are required to send a copy of their qualifications to [email protected] upon application. A formal email is sent to applicants once the qualifications are reviewed.
Digital competences:

Applicants are required to have basic computer literacy, mainly the knowledge of how to access and use an internet browser and use a word processor

Language competences:
The student is required to have at least an end-of-primary school level of understanding of Maltese and English.

CPD for Diakonia Pastoral Workers (2023/24)

17/10/2023   TBA

This course aims to help the people working in the Diakonia sector in a parish, to relate their work to their spiritual journey. Participants will acquire basic skills on how to deal with mental issues. By the end of the course, the participants will have the opportunity to learn about the new guidelines issued for pastoral workers helping out in the Diakonia ministry.

  • Pastoral operators, staff, or volunteers who work in the Diakonia ministry
  • People interested in this ministry

Target Audience Age: 18+

Please Note: Following this course does not entitle the student to become automatically a pastoral worker involved in Diakonia in any given parish. Pastoral workers involved in Diakonia are chosen by the pastor of the parish/community. 

DateSession TitleMode of Delivery
17th OctoberIntroductionRecorded Video
November 2023- January 2024The poor and social justice in relation to our spiritual life  Recorded Videos
January 2024In-person seminar 18:00 – 20:00
February – April 2024Understanding basic mental health issuesRecorded Videos
April 2024In-person seminar18:00 – 20:00
May – June 2024New Guidelines for Pastoral WorkersRecorded Videos
June 2024In-person seminar 18:00 – 20:00
Duration:  9 hours
Certification:  

Certificate of Attendance

To obtain a Certificate of Attendance, students must attend all the course contact hours. 

Teaching and Awarding Institution: Pastoral Formation Institute

Digital: Applicants are required to be digitally literate, including knowing how to access the internet and Moodle.