Every child everywhere training initiative launched by ABTA ECPAT

Comic relief funds used to develop new online training to protect kids

ECPAT UK and ABTA – the Travel Association – have developed a free e-learning training course on child protection in the travel industry. ‘Every Child, Everywhere’ was developed by ABTA and ECPAT UK to improve travel industry professionals understanding of child protection issues.

ECPAT UK received funding from Comic Relief to work with ABTA to develop this important online training which covers child protection issues relevant to the travel industry, both for children living in destinations and children travelling and on holiday, including issues of sexual exploitation of children and child trafficking.

‘Every Child, Everywhere’ aims to ensure that travel industry staff are well equipped to deal with any problems that might arise and to help companies develop policies and procedures which will best protect children in destinations or when they are travelling.

The full course consists of three modules:

• Module 1 ‘Following Child Protection Policies and Procedures’.
• Module 2 ‘Implementing Child Protection Policies and Procedures’.
• Module 3 ‘Developing Child Protection Policies and Procedures’.

All staff, whatever their role, can complete all modules, though levels 2 and 3 may be more relevant to staff in supervisory and management roles. Each module is worth 20 CPD points in the ABTA Accredited Travel Professional scheme.

Christine Beddoe, Director of ECPAT UK said: “ECPAT UK has a long history of working with the travel industry on child protection issues and we are happy to be working with ABTA to produce this essential training tool. Children everywhere need to be kept safe from harm and this tool will give travel professionals an understanding of child protection issues and of the importance of robust child protection policies and procedures.”

Vicki Wolf, ABTA’s Professional Development Manager said: “Every Child, Everywhere is free of charge and ABTA encourages all of its members and anyone involved in the travel industry to take the training so that staff are well informed and companies have policies and procedures in place to deal with this very sensitive issue.”

The training course is also of relevance to students of travel and tourism and is free. It can be accessed at: www.everychildeverywhere.com.

Valere Tjolle
Valere Tjolle is editor of the Sustainable Tourism Report Suite 2011 – latest news on the suite at www.travelmole.com/stories/1145615.php