CCPAS Press Release

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16th September 2011

SPEARHEADING THE FIGHT AGAINST ON-LINE ABUSE: CCPAS UNVEILS FIRST-EVER 'E-ONLY' ACCREDITED INTERNET SAFETY QUALIFICATION AVAILABLE IN THE EU

The Churches Child Protection Advisory Service (CCPAS) is spearheading the fight against on-line child abuse by unveiling the first-ever ‘E-only’ and fully accredited internet safety qualification available in the European Union (EU). It has been developed through a collaborative partnership between BT, Microsoft, Strathclyde Police and the Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA), the awarding body.

The online qualification (formally called ITQ-e-safety) is only available in this format through CCPAS and has been designed so that candidates may access it online from wherever they may be.Fully accredited by the SQA, those completing the distance learning course are awarded a recognised qualification at SCQF level 4. It is onlyavailable online and is completely paperless, supported entirely with digital material. All teaching and learning materials are therefore in digital formats and every assessment is taken online.
The course demonstrates how to make safe and legal use of the Internet. They understand about the key safety factors and legal considerations and are given practical experience in safety precautions and operating within legal constraints. Contents include:

• How to protect against grooming
• Dealing with unwanted e-mails
• Protecting against identity theft
• Guarding systems against viruses and other threats

It is particularly appropriate for young people, parents and mature internet users alike, as well as professionals working in this important area such as church leaders, youth and children’s workers, police officers, teachers and social workers.
Simon Bass CEO of CCPAS commented: “The use of the internet is growing at a frantic pace, but there are many safeguarding and other risks involved with this powerful tool.

“We have therefore joined with the SQA to devise and offer this exceptionally important new qualification. Those who complete it will gain a full understanding of the potential threats which may be encountered in cyberspace; knowing what may and may not legally be done online; and understanding how best to protect oneself from the risks involved.

“We are convinced that ITQ-e-safety will prove exceptionally popular and make a major contribution to keeping adults and especially young people safe online.

Media Enquiries:                 

Dr Iain Taylor
Head of Communications
CCPAS
0845 120 4550 or 07979 914217
iain@ccpas.co.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS:

CCPAS is an independent Christian charity providing professional child protection advice and support across church denominations and organisations throughout the UK. 
CCPAS was established in 1977. It assists churches, organisations, social services and other child care agencies as well as individual children and families by: 

• helping churches and other organisations adopt safe practice in order to protect children from abuse – and youth workers from the possibility of false allegations
• advising on individual cases, giving ongoing help to leaders and others.
• training across the UK and providing “in-house” training and other resources
• acting as external consultants to denominational/organisational child protection advisors
• counselling individual adults or children about past or present abuse. 

For more information, please see www.ccpas.co.uk