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Award in Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults for Fondazzjoni Sebħ Staff – August 2025

26/05/2025   Fondazzjoni Sebħ Premises, Ħamrun
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 is designed for employees and volunteers who work with children, young people, and vulnerable adults, or who handle their data. Participants will gain an understanding of the key principles of safeguarding and develop skills to create and maintain a safe environment for all individuals in their care.

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

  1. Familiarise themselves with safeguarding policies
  2. Understand legal obligations concerning child abuse
  3. Identify signs and symptoms of abuse
  4. Understand disclosures of abuse
  5. Identify core principles of safeguarding
  6. Practise professional boundaries effectively
  7. Know their legal obligations under the Protection of Minors (Registration) Act (2011) and the Minors Protection Act (2019)
  8. Recognise different types of abuse and poor practices
  9. Learn a standard response to disclosures of abuse
  10. Recognise signs of abuse
  11. Identify appropriate actions to take when concerned and understand who to approach for support

Click here to view and download a detailed course description

Fondazzjoni Sebħ employees who work with children and vulnerable adults and handle their data.

CodeMode of DeliveryValue
PFE/SCA4-23Blended 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.

August/ September 2025
Lecturing Period
Mode of DeliveryDate & TimeVenue
In-person1st August 2025
from 9:30am to 12:30pm		Fondazzjoni Sebħ, Ħamrun
Recorded Material2nd – 16th August 2025Recorded videos on the VLE platform
Assessment Period:
AssessmentAvailable FromDue by
Short Multiple-Choice Online Exam2nd August 202516th August 2025
Reflective Journal2nd August 20251st September 2025

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: 1 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.

Practice in Liturgical Music Animation

26/05/2025

This course will focus on the practice of liturgical music leadership. Each session will include vocal technique training and practical methods for introducing new repertoire to the assembly. Additionally, every session will explore the various parts of the Mass and other liturgical celebrations. Active participation from each student—both in singing and directing—is a compulsory component of this course.

Those involved in liturgical animation, or anyone interested in this ministry, to deepen their knowledge and enhance their practical skills in the field.

Target Audience Age: 18+

The course will take place on Wednesdays from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at The Archbishop’s Seminary, Rabat

DateSession
TBAPractical musical animation for the mass 1
TBAPractical musical animation for the mass 2
TBAPractical musical animation for the mass 3
TBAPractical assembly conducting 1
TBAPractical assembly conducting 2
TBAPractical assembly conducting 3

This course has three exit certificate options:

  1. Certificate of Attendance
    The student will receive a Certificate of Attendance when attending a minimum 80% of all contact hours for this course.
  2. Certificate of Participation
    The student will receive a Certificate of Participation when sitting and successfully compete and pass the short multiple-choice questions online exam which will be available on the Moodle platform.
  3. Certificate of Achievement
    To obtain a Certificate of Achievement, students must attend a minimum 80% of all contact hours and pass the short multiple-choice online exam practical and viva session.

This course is delivered by the Akkademja tal-Mużika Sagra Francesco Azzopardi in collaboration with the Pastoral Formation Institute.

Ħarbex il- Melodija

23/05/2025

Ħarbex il-Melodija huwa opportunità għall-kompożituri u mużiċisti, li jixtiequ jħaddmu t-talenti tagħhom, sabiex jiktbu innijiet għal-Liturġija tal-Knisja fuq stil klassiku.

Dan il-kors ta’ 3 workshops li l-Akkademja tal-Mużika Sagra Francesco Azopardi qed torganizza b’kollaborazzjoni mal-Pastoral Formation Institute jagħtik formazzjoni, spazju u ħin biex toħloq mużika ġdida għal testi ta’ kant liturġiku, fosthom dawk li jinħolqu fil-kors Ħarbex ir-Rima. It-tħarbix isir b’mod individwali kif ukoll fi gruppi żgħar, b’mumenti ta’ qsim bejn kulħadd. Il-kors huwa miftuħ għal persuni li għandhom ‘il fuq minn 18-il sena.

Il-kors huwa miftuħ għal persuni li għandhom ‘il fuq minn 18-il sena.

Il-workshops se jsiru nhar ta’ Sibt matul Mejju 2026 mit-8:30am sas-2:30pm, Is-Seminarju tal-Arċisqof

Aktar informazzjoni se tingħata aktar tard

Introjtu
Offertorji
Tqarbin

Dan il-kors għandu tip ta’ ċertifikat wieħed:

1. Ċertifikat ta’ Partiċipazzjoni

Sabiex jinkiseb Ċertifikat ta’ Partiċipazzjoni, l-istudenti huma meħtieġa jattendu għal tnejn mit-tlett lezzjonijiet li qed jiġu organizzati kif ukoll jikkomponi mużika liturġika.

Dan il-kors qed jiġu provdut mill-Akkademja tal-Mużika Sagra Francesco Azzopardi f’kollaborazzjoni tal-Istitut tal-Formazzjoni Pastorali.

L-applikanti għandhom ikollom bażi tajba tal-lingwa Maltija u ta’ teknika awdjo-viżiva.

 

Ħarbex ir-Rima

23/05/2025

Qatt ħsibt li d-don tiegħek tal-kitba u l-poeżija tista’ tħaddmu biex tħarbex lirika li tista’ titkanta fil-liturġija tal-Knisja? Qed noffrulek opportunità li dan twettqu fil-kors Ħarbex ir-Rima!

Dan huwa kors ta’ 3 workshops li l-Akkademja tal-Mużika Sagra Francesco Azopardi qed torganizza b’kollaborazzjoni mal-Pastoral Formation Institute għal dawk kollha li jixtiequ jħaddmu d-don tal-kitba u l-poeżija b’għan qaddis.

L-għan tal-kors hu li jispira il-ħolqien ta’ lirika ġdida bil-Malti xierqa għall-kant liturġiku, taħt gwida.

It-tħarbix se jsir b’mod individwali, kif ukoll ma’ ħaddieħor fi gruppi żgħar kif ukoll f’mumenti ta’ qsim bejn kulħadd. Il-kors huwa miftuħ għal persuni li għandhom ‘il fuq minn 18-il sena.

Il-kors huwa miftuħ għal persuni li għandhom ‘il fuq minn 18-il sena.

Il-workshops se jsiru nhar ta’ Sibt matul Frar 2026 mit-8:30am sas-2:30pm, Is-Seminarju tal-Arċisqof

Aktar informazzjoni se tingħata aktar tard

Introjtu
Offertorji
Tqarbin

Dan il-kors għandu tip ta’ ċertifikat wieħed:

1. Ċertifikat ta’ Partiċipazzjoni

Sabiex jinkiseb Ċertifikat ta’ Partiċipazzjoni, l-istudenti huma meħtieġa jattendu għal tnejn mit-tlett lezzjonijiet li qed jiġu organizzati kif ukoll jiktbu lirika ġdida għal mużika liturġika.

Dan il-kors qed jiġu provdut mill-Akkademja tal-Mużika Sagra Francesco Azzopardi f’kollaborazzjoni tal-Istitut tal-Formazzjoni Pastorali.

L-applikanti għandhom ikollom bażi tajba tal-lingwa Maltija.

 

Ħarbex 1

22/05/2025

Jekk qatt pruvajt tħarbex żewġ akkordji, xi melodija, jew xi biċċa lirika bil-Malti, dan huwa l-kors għalik!

Ħarbex 1 huwa kors ta’ 3 workshops li l-Akkademja tal-Mużika Sagra Francesco Azopardiqed torganizza b’kollaborazzjoni mal-Pastoral Formation Institute.

L-għan tal-kors hu li jservi ta’ gwida u ispirazzjoni sabiex tħaddem il-ħiliet mużikali u litterali li diġà hemm fik biex jinkitbu għanjiet ġodda għat-talba tal-quddiesa. Se jkollna ħin nesploraw kompożizzjoni ta’ innijiet liturġiċi ġodda fi stil Kristjan kontemporanju.

Ħinijiet ta’ inkontri ma’ xulxin mhumiex se jkunu neqsin, u xejn inqas ħinijiet allokati biex nibdew inħarbxu xi ħaġa wkoll, kemm b’mod individwali, kif ukoll ma’ ħaddieħor.

Il-kors huwa miftuħ għal persuni li għandhom ‘il fuq minn 18-il sena.

Il-workshops se jsiru nhar ta’ Sibt matul Jannar 2026 mit-8:30am sas-2:30pm, Is-Seminarju tal-Arċisqof

Aktar informazzjoni se tingħata aktar tard

Introjtu u akklamazzjonijiet tal-Evanġelju
Offertorji, akklamazzjonijiet tal-Konsagrazzjoni u t-talba tal-Missierna
Tqarbin, kant tal-għeluq u innijiet Marjani

Dan il-kors għandu tip ta’ ċertifikat wieħed:

1. Ċertifikat ta’ Partiċipazzjoni

Sabiex jinkiseb Ċertifikat ta’ Partiċipazzjoni, l-istudenti huma meħtieġa jattendu għal tnejn mit-tlett workshops li qed jiġu organizzati kif ukoll jikkomponu mużika u/jew jiktbu lirika ġdida.

Dan il-kors qed jiġu provdut mill-Akkademja tal-Mużika Sagra Francesco Azzopardi f’kollaborazzjoni tal-Istitut tal-Formazzjoni Pastorali.

L-applikanti għandhom ikollom bażi tajba tal-lingwa Maltija u ta’ teknika awdjo-viżiva.

 

Parish Volunteering

21/05/2025

This course is eligible for the Get Formed! scheme, allowing students to reclaim 70% of their course fees upon completion. For more information, visit: https://pfi.edu.mt/get-formed/.

This short course offers an engaging introduction to the mission and ministry of volunteering within a Catholic parish. It explores the spiritual foundations, practical responsibilities, and community impact of parish volunteering. Designed for new and prospective volunteers, the course provides an understanding of how their service contributes to the Church’s mission and offers guidance for serving effectively, faithfully, and joyfully.

New or prospective parish volunteers, both youth and adults

Target Audience Age: 18+

The course will take place on Mondays from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Ta’ Mlit Pastoral Centre, Mosta. Students have the option to join this course online via Zoom.

DateSession
15th September 2025Called to Serve – The Spiritual Heart of Volunteering
22nd September 2025The Life of the Parish – Ministries and Mission
29th September 2025Ethics, Boundaries, and Responsibility
6th October 2025Building Community; Collaboration and finding your place
13th October 2025Formation; Spiritual Growth and Next Steps

This course has two exit certificate options:

1. Certificate of Attendance

The student will receive a Certificate of Participation when attending a minimum of 80% of all contact hours for this course.

2. Certificate of Achievement

To obtain a Certificate of Achievement, students must attend a minimum of 80% of all contact hour and pass from reflective journal.

Language: Applicants must be proficient in both Maltese and English.

Digital: Applicants must be digitally literate particularly, in use of office suites and internet access.

Second Vatican Council: Renewal, Revelation, and Relevance

21/05/2025

This course is eligible for the Get Formed! scheme, allowing students to reclaim 70% of their course fees upon completion. For more information, visit: https://pfi.edu.mt/get-formed/.

This course offers an engaging introduction to the Second Vatican Council, focusing on its historical context and transformative vision for the Church. Special attention is given to the four major constitutions and a thematic overview of the remaining documents. Participants will explore key teachings on revelation, liturgy, the Church, mission, and dialogue with the modern world—deepening their understanding of Vatican II’s call to renewal, evangelization, and active participation in the life of the Church.

This course is intended for adult Catholics, catechists, parish leaders, and anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of the Church’s teachings and mission. It is particularly beneficial for those engaged in pastoral ministry, as well as educators and students within Catholic institutions who wish to gain a solid foundation in the core documents of the Second Vatican Council and their continued relevance today.

Target Audience Age: 18+

The course will be delivered entirely through a series of pre-recorded lectures accessible on our VLE platform at a time and place convenient for you after October 2025.

In these pre-recorded lectures, the following subjects will be covered:

  • Historical Overview & Purpose of Vatican II
  • Dei Verbum (Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation)
  • Sacrosanctum Concilium (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy)
  • Lumen Gentium (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church)
  • Gaudium et Spes (Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World)
  • The Church’s Mission and Life: Decrees on Ministry and Evangelization
  • Dialogue with the Modern World: Religious Freedom, Unity, and Culture

This course has two exit certificate options:

1. Certificate of Participation

The student will receive a Certificate of Participation when watching all pre-recorded lectures and pass from short online multiple-choice exams.

2. Certificate of Achievement

To obtain a Certificate of Achievement, students must watch all pre-recorded lectures, pass from short online multiple-choice exams and written assignment.

Language: Applicants must be proficient in both Maltese and English.

Digital: Applicants must be digitally literate particularly, in use of office suites and internet access.

Catechetical Ministry for Children – Seminars

21/05/2025

This course is eligible for the Get Formed! scheme, allowing students to reclaim 70% of their course fees upon completion. For more information, visit: https://pfi.edu.mt/get-formed/.

This module serves as a valuable complement to Basic Themes in Catechetical Ministry, offering participants a deeper exploration of four key themes, enriched with practical insights:

  • Understanding those whom we accompany
  • The digital era and catechesis: practical aspects
  • Sacred Scriptures
  • The moral and social teaching of the Church

While these themes are typically approached from a theoretical perspective in Basic Themes in Catechetical Ministry, this module aims to bring them to life through practical application. Each theme is explored in dedicated seminars, where participants engage in discussions led by expert speakers. These sessions are designed not only to deepen understanding but also to equip catechists with effective methods for communicating these teachings to their learners.

By the end of the course, participants will have developed the confidence and independence to form a comprehensive and integrated understanding of the various dimensions that shape the identity of a catechetical minister within the Church.

  • Individuals who are either currently involved in or aspiring to be involved in catechetical ministry within the Church.
  • Individuals who are interested in deepening their understanding of catechesis and its practical application.
Target Audience Age: 18+

This course consists of four lectures once a month from January – May 2026 at Ta’ Mlit Pastoral Centre, Mosta.

DateSession
31st January 2026L-Għarfien tal-persuni li se nakkumpanjaw
Understanding those whom we accompany
28th February 2026L-Era Diġitali u l-Katekeżi: Aspetti Prattiċi
The Digital Era and Catechesis: Practical Aspects
25th April 2026Il-Kotba Mqaddsa
The Sacred Scriptures
23rd May 2026It-Tagħlim Morali u Soċjali tal-Knisja
The Moral and Social Teaching of the Church

This course has one exit certificate option: 

  1. Certificate of Attendance

The student will receive a Certificate of Attendance when attending a minimum of 80% of all contact hours of this course.

Teaching Institution/s: Pastoral Formation Institute in collaboration with Lifelong Catechesis

Qualifications

To apply for this course, applicants must meet one of the following criteria:

  1. Have completed both:

OR

  1. Hold one of the following:
    • an MQF/EQF Level 5 or higher qualification in Theology or Religious Studies,
    • or a General Education Award in Evangelisation.
Exemptions

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 Faith Foundation for Ministry. Applicants are required to submit a copy of their qualifications to [email protected] upon application. A formal email is sent to applicants once the qualifications are reviewed.

Language competences

Applicants must be proficient in both Maltese and English.

Digital competences

Applicants must be able to access the internet and use office suites.

Living Beyond Sunday for Iklin Parish

20/05/2025   Iklin Parish Centre

Our relationship with God is not meant to stay within the walls of our parish church when we leave after Sunday Mass. Instead, “the Mass is ended, go in peace” is an exhortation for us to let what we received during Mass transform our hearts, families, homes, and schools into welcoming places to encounter Christ. This transformation should continue until we gather again the following Sunday to be strengthened and sent forth once more.

In this new course, Living Beyond Sunday, we aim to share ideas to help parents and all those working with children make their time together a place of encounter with God—a place where saints are being made. The course discusses how to foster holiness in all the everyday moments of Catholic life, starting with spiritual pedagogy and moving on to practical ways to celebrate this. It is based on the premise that with small efforts, creativity, and adaptations, it is possible to make what we experience during liturgy appealing, meaningful, and impactful for children.

Iklin pastoral workers and parishioners

Target Audience Age: 18+

The course will take place on Tuesdays from 6:40pm to 8:00pm at Iklin Parish Centre

DatesSession
8th July 2025Introduction to the Liturgy & Liturgical Year
15th July 2025Avent & Christmas
Ordinary Time
22nd July 2025Lent & the Easter Triduum
29th July 2025Easter
Celebrating Saints

This course has two exit certificate options:

1. Certificates of Attendance

The student will receive a Certificate of Attendance when attending a minimum of 80% of all contact hours for this course.

2. Certificate of Achievement

The student will receive a Certificate of Achievement when attending a minimum of 80% of all contact hours for this course and written assignment.

Language: Applicants must be proficient in both Maltese and English.

Digital: Applicants must be digitally literate particularly, in use of office suites and internet access.

Introduction to the Gospel of Matthew

20/05/2025

This course is eligible for the Get Formed! scheme, allowing students to reclaim 70% of their course fees upon completion. For more information, visit: https://pfi.edu.mt/get-formed/.

This course offers a rich thematic and theological introduction to the Gospel of Matthew, emphasizing its unique portrayal of Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah, the New Moses, and the fulfilment of Old Testament prophecy. Participants will explore key events in Jesus’ life—His birth, teachings, miracles, and passion—while gaining insight into Matthew’s structure and message. Designed for pastoral ministers seeking deeper formation as the Church begins a new liturgical cycle centred on Matthew’s Gospel.

Pastoral workers especially those involved in the Ministry of the Word and all others interested in the subject.

Target Audience Age: 18+

The course will take place on Wednesdays from 6:00pm to 8:00pm

Students have the option to join this course online via Zoom

DateSession
12th November 2025Introduction and the Magi Narrative
19th Novemeber 2025 The Beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount
26th November 2025The Miracles in Matthew
3rd December 2025The Passion and Easter Nattative in Matthew

This course has three exit certificate options:

1. Certificate of Attendance

The student will receive a Certificate of Attendance when attending a minimum of 80% of all contact hours for this course.

2. Certificate of Participation

The student will receive a Certificate of Participation when attending a minimum of 80% of all contact hours for this course and pass from short multiple-choice exam.

3. Certificate of Achievement

To obtain a Certificate of Achievement, students must attend a minimum of 80% of all contact hour and pass from a short multiple-choice exam and written assignment.

Language: Applicants must be proficient in both Maltese and English.

Digital: Applicants must be digitally literate particularly, in use of office suites and internet access.