Cuckooing in Early Years - Online Course

Cuckooing is a form of exploitation where vulnerable individuals have their homes taken over by others, often linked to criminal activity. While commonly associated with adults, the impact on children—especially in the early years—is often overlooked. This online course has been carefully designed to raise awareness, deepen understanding, and equip early years practitioners with the knowledge and confidence to identify and respond to the signs of cuckooing.

What you’ll learn:

• What cuckooing is and how it manifests in different contexts

• The specific risks and impacts on babies and young children

• How to recognise early warning signs within families and communities

• The role of safeguarding in early years settings

• Practical steps for responding, recording, and reporting concerns

Who is it for?

This course is ideal for early years practitioners, childminders, nursery staff, safeguarding leads, social care professionals, and anyone working with children under five.

Course format:

• 100% online – study at your own pace

• Interactive modules with real-world case examples

• Downloadable resources and practical toolkits

• Certificate of completione

By the end of the course, you’ll have the awareness and strategies needed to safeguard children and families from the hidden harms of cuckooing.