Training provider, The Foster Care Training Hub, has launched ‘The Big Initiative;’ a nationwide project. It’s the UK’s first cohort of free preventative online courses for young people across the UK on some 50 subjects including gangs, knife crime, gambling, bullying, and self-harm.

The goal of The Big Initiative is to empower looked-after children, educate them on the dangers of certain issues and enable them to have an impact on their social circle. This will help them make better choices in life, and fulfil their potential. It’s a dedicated online platform that works to bring looked-after children and their foster families free support and guidance that will help change lives.

Every time a young person completes a free online course via The Big Initiative, they enter a prize draw with the opportunity to win prizes including iPads, mobile phones, concert tickets and day trips.

Speaking about The Big Initiative, a 15 year old girl in foster care said:

‘I have found it hard to go to school because I don’t enjoy it, and it’s not really my thing. My social worker Debbie and my foster carers allocated me the Social Media and Internet Safety course on The Big Initiative and I found this really interesting and learnt a lot especially about turning off my snapchat location so no one can find me, I prefer doing these courses than going to school.’

The Big Initiative also provides free online training and resources for parents; designed to empower them to be the best parents they can be. The free parental online courses include reflective practice and listening skills, autistic spectrum disorder and bullying, plus well-being courses that cover subjects such as depression and suicide, and drugs and alcohol awareness.

For more information visit The Big Initiative.