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Welcome to the FIFA Guardians™ Safeguarding in Sport Award
This FIFA Award pathway is for Global Football Community Learners and Open Learners.
Here you will find all the available courses that make up the FIFA Guardians Safeguarding in Sport Award.
Course 1: FIFA Guardians™ Safeguarding Essentials
This course is an introduction to essential safeguarding knowledge for football and other sports; the 90-minute course explains what safeguarding is, why it is important, how you can help reduce safeguarding risks and respond appropriately to any safeguarding
concerns.
This course is free and open to all and you can earn a FIFA/OU digital badge and a FIFA certificate of completion for your learning. In order to take part in the course and obtain your certificate and digital badge, follow this two-step process:
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First, register an account and log in to this platform (if you already have an Open University account you can use your existing login).
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Then, to enter the course, click on the 'Get started' button below.
Please note: it is recommended that you do not use Firefox when registering your Open University account. Due to some display issues, users of Firefox may need to scroll down in order to complete the account registration form.

Course 2: FIFA Guardians™ Starting your Safeguarding Journey
It is strongly recommended that you study Course 1 before starting Course 2 since it builds on the ideas developed in the FIFA Guardians Safeguarding Essentials (Course 1). This course supports those who are new to their safeguarding role or those who wish to build on their existing knowledge. It is approximately 12 hours of online learning.
This course is free, and you can earn a FIFA/OU digital badge and a FIFA certificate on completion of your learning. To take part in the course and obtain your certificate and digital badge, follow this two-step process:
-
First, register an account and log in to this platform (if you already have an Open University account you can use your existing login).
-
Then, to enter the course, click on the 'Get started' button below.

Course 3: FIFA Guardians™ Developing your Safeguarding Effectiveness
It is strongly recommended that you study Course 2 before starting Course 3 since it builds on the ideas developed in FIFA Guardians Starting your Safeguarding Journey (Course 2). This course continues to build the knowledge of those who are new to their safeguarding role including clarifying recommended ways of working. It is approximately 26 hours of online learning.
This course is free, and you can earn a FIFA/OU digital badge and a FIFA certificate on completion of your learning. To take part in the course and obtain your certificate and digital badge, follow this two-step process:
-
First, register an account and log in to this platform (if you already have an Open University account you can use your existing login).
-
Then, to enter the course, click on the 'Get started' button below.

Course 4: FIFA Guardians™ Embedding Safeguarding Practice
It is strongly recommended that you study Course 3 before starting Course 4 since it builds on the ideas developed in FIFA Guardians Developing your Safeguarding Effectiveness (Course 3).
This course extends your knowledge of some central safeguarding topics and explains some new principles and practices. It is approximately 20 hours of online learning.
This course is free, and you can earn a FIFA/OU digital badge and a FIFA certificate on completion of your learning. To take part in the course and obtain your certificate and digital badge, follow this two-step process:
-
First, register an account and log in to this platform (if you already have an Open University account you can use your existing login).
-
Then, to enter the course, click on the 'Get started' button below.

Course 5: FIFA Guardians™ Promoting Wider Safeguarding Change
It is strongly recommended that you study Course 4 before starting Course 5 since it builds on the ideas developed in FIFA Guardians Embedding Safeguarding Practice (Course 4).
This course introduces a new topic – safeguarding in the digital world – and looks forward to helping you think about how your organisation might learn from safeguarding experiences and develop a positive safeguarding culture. It is approximately 12 hours of online learning.
This course is free, and you can earn a FIFA/OU digital badge and a FIFA certificate on completion of your learning. To take part in the course and obtain your certificate and digital badge, follow this two-step process:
-
First, register an account and log in to this platform (if you already have an Open University account you can use your existing login).
-
Then, to enter the course, click on the 'Get started' button below.

FIFA Guardians™ Safeguarding Essentials
An introduction to essential safeguarding knowledge for football and FIFA member associations.
Try this courseCourse
1 hr
FIFA Guardians™ Starting your Safeguarding Journey
The second in a series of courses to build safeguarding knowledge and develop Safeguarding Officers’ working practices.
Try this courseCourse
12 hrs
FIFA Guardians™ Developing your Safeguarding Effectiveness
This course builds on the FIFA Guardians Course 2 and extends your knowledge of some of the safeguarding topics already introduced.
Try this courseCourse
24+ hrs
FIFA Guardians™ Embedding Safeguarding Practice
This course extends your knowledge of some central safeguarding topics and explains some new principles and practices. It also provides you with the knowledge to help you embed safeguarding practice across your organisation.
Try this courseCourse
20 hrs
FIFA Guardians™ Promoting Wider Safeguarding Change
This course is designed to help you think about how your organisation might learn from safeguarding experiences, develop a positive safeguarding culture and identify organisational strengths and weaknesses.
Try this courseCourse
12 hrs