A Scottish charity is hosting a free online course which aims to help youngsters across the world

A course which aims to help people across the world to look at getting care right for children is returning next month.

The Centre for Excellence for Looked After Children in Scotland (CELCIS) is hosting a massive online open course which delves into the details of the UN Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children.

The course is free and provides participants with the chance to join over 5,000 learners from across 172 countries, who understand the importance of the guidelines when caring and protecting vulnerable children.

Starting on 19 February, it is open to everyone who is interested in, or responsible for, children's care and protection

Course materials are available in English, with some materials available in French and Spanish.

Previous participant, Christina Baglietto (regional advisor for Latin America at the International Social Service), said the course was of great value to her.

She said: "The course has been a great opportunity to be able to share with stakeholders, locally in Mexico and elsewhere in the region, a training tool that reaches a wide variety of professionals, who, for many, do not have the resources, nor the time available, to access learning opportunities in their field of work.”

The interactive course runs for six weeks, and takes a maximum of four hours per week.