Parenting in today’s world can feel overwhelming. We’re constantly juggling everyday responsibilities while trying to keep our children safe in a world that doesn’t always feel safe. That’s why we created STAND: Parents as Protectors — a free, online, self-paced program for parents, caregivers, and those in loco parentis who want to deepen their understanding of how to protect children from harm.

This is not about blame, criticism, or “teaching granny how to suck eggs.” It’s about sharing insight drawn from lived experience — real-life lessons about how our own histories shape our reactions and decisions. When we become more aware of this, we grow. We begin to see things more clearly. And in that clarity, we become even stronger protectors for the children in our care.

What makes STAND different?

  • REAL CPD accredited by A Positive Start CIC – REAL stands for Regulated, Ethical, Accessible, Lived-experience led.
  • Partnership with Safeguarding Fundamentals – working together to raise the bar of safeguarding standards.
  • Not your standard safeguarding course – If you’ve completed safeguarding training before (perhaps for work), this will feel very different. Here, we look deeper, go behind the scenes, and explore what’s really going on — including the subtle warning signs that often get missed and the emotional dynamics that influence our responses.
  • Self-paced and flexible – You can drop in and out whenever your schedule allows. No pressure, no deadlines.
  • Practical prevention tools – Learn real-world strategies for protecting not just children, but also families and ourselves. Prevention is key — and in many situations, we may be the first and only line of defence.
  • Interactive learning – Each module includes reflections, worksheets, and quiz questions to deepen your understanding and encourage personal growth.
  • Supportive community – Option to Join a Facebook support group

What you’ll discover

You’ll learn about the techniques used to groom individuals, families, and even whole communities — and how to recognise them before harm is done. You’ll explore how your own experiences and history might influence your reactions, and how increasing your self-awareness can make you a stronger, calmer, and more effective protector.

This isn’t just about “what to look for.” It’s about understanding why some warning signs are missed, how trust can be manipulated, and what small actions can create much safer environments for children.

Why we do this

We believe that creating safer homes and communities starts with awareness — both of external risks and of our own internal patterns. Through lived-experience-led insight, we can all become more prepared, more confident, and more connected in safeguarding the children we love.

Our mission is simple: to equip parents and caregivers with the knowledge, skills, and insight they need to protect children from harm before it happens. Prevention is always better than cure, and safeguarding is most powerful when it’s rooted in real-life understanding, compassion, and courage.

This is a journey of discovery, not a lecture. It’s an opportunity to explore, reflect, and grow alongside others who care deeply about protecting children.

If you’re ready to take that step, we’d love to welcome you. Because protecting children isn’t about fear — it’s about knowledge, connection, and courage.

How to join:

We ask all participants to register for the program via our website. Once you receive your welcome email, you’ll also be given the option to join our private Facebook support group. This extra step helps protect the integrity of the course and ensures that our learning space remains safe from spam and bots.

Because the more we understand, the better we can protect our children, families… and ourselves.