County Lines
Learn how to recognise the signs of county lines exploitation, understand how criminal networks operate, and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns.
Suitable for anyone working with children, young people, or vulnerable adults.
๐ 30 Minutes | ๐ป 100% Online | ๐ Self-Paced Learning | ๐ Certificate Included | ๐ Instant Access
Why This Course Matters
County lines exploitation can affect children and vulnerable adults in any community. Understanding the warning signs and knowing how to respond can help identify risks early and support those who may be being exploited.

Course Details

Module 1: Introduction to County Lines
- What county lines is
- Key terminology
- National trends and statistics
- Who is affected and why
Module 2: How County Lines Works
- Criminal gang structures
- Recruitment and grooming tactics
- Drug distribution networks
- Transportation methods
Module 3: Grooming and Exploitation
- Victims of county lines
- Risk factors and vulnerabilities
- Physical and emotional impact
- Real-life examples
Module 4: Warning Signs and Red Flags
- Behavioural indicators
- Physical signs
- Environmental indicators
- Contextual safeguarding
Module 5: Safeguarding and Response
- Early intervention
- Reporting concerns
- Multi-agency working
- Support services
Module 6: Summary and Knowledge Check
- Key learning points
- Referral pathways
- End-of-course assessment
๐ถ Early Years Practitioners
๐ซ Nursery, School and College Staff
๐ก๏ธ Safeguarding Leads
๐ฉโโ๏ธ Healthcare Professionals
๐ค Social Care and Youth Workers
๐จโ๐ฉโ๐งโ๐ฆ Anyone working with children, young people, or vulnerable adults
No previous county lines training is required.
How It Works
Enrol Online
Purchase the course and gain instant access to your learning dashboard.
Complete the Training
Work through the course at your own pace on desktop, tablet or mobile.
Receive Your Certificate
Successfully complete the assessment and download your certificate.
Ready to Get Started?
Strengthen your understanding of county lines exploitation and learn how to recognise and respond to safeguarding concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is county lines?
County lines is a form of criminal exploitation where organised gangs use children and vulnerable adults to transport and sell drugs across different areas.
How long does the course take?
The course takes approximately 30 minutes to complete.
Is the course fully online?
Yes. The course can be completed online using a computer, tablet, or mobile device.
Will I receive a certificate?
Yes. A downloadable certificate is available after successful completion.
Who should take this course?
Anyone with safeguarding responsibilities, particularly those working with children, young people, or vulnerable adults.
Training for Your Whole Team?
This course is perfect for individual learners looking to develop their knowledge and skills.
If you're a nursery owner, manager, or organisation looking to train multiple staff members, explore our Pathways and Partnership solutions.
These programmes combine training, workforce development, compliance support, and progress tracking to help settings build confident, capable, and inspection-ready teams.
| Individual Course | Team Training & Pathways |
| โ Instant access | ๐ข Designed for nurseries and childcare settings |
| โ Self-paced learning | ๐ Support workforce development |
| โ Certificate included | ๐ Improve compliance and training oversight |
| โ Ideal for individual professional development | ๐ฅ Train multiple staff members |
| ยฃ15 | ๐ค Ongoing support available |
