Training

Domestic abuse affects people across every community and profession. Its impacts are far-reaching, from serious physical and mental health consequences to homelessness, poverty, and trauma that can last for generations. Yet too often, the signs go unnoticed, leaving victims and survivors without support.

At GDASS, we deliver high-quality and engaging training to help professionals recognise and respond to domestic abuse safely and effectively. Our sessions range from introductory awareness to advanced courses on DASH, safety planning, coercive control, and trauma-informed practice. Training is available online or in person for groups of any size.

We are proud to deliver the Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Training Pathway. Developed in partnership with the Domestic Abuse Local Partnership Board, the Pathway aims to build knowledge, confidence, and consistency across all professional roles in the county.

The Pathway offers a tiered approach to learning, ensuring that everyone, from general staff to specialist frontline practitioners, can access appropriate, high-quality training. All sessions are free to access and are aligned with Gloucestershire’s multi-agency domestic abuse framework:

• Entry Level: Introduction to Domestic Abuse Awareness

  For all staff across any organisation. This 90-minute Entry-Level training provides a general understanding of domestic abuse, its impact, and the support available, and highlights everyone's responsibility for identifying and responding safely to concerns.

   

• Level 1: Domestic Abuse Basic Awareness Training

  For all frontline and support staff. Level 1 training is two and a half hours long and builds on foundational knowledge by exploring the different types of abuse, indicators, and risk factors. It covers how to recognise the signs of abuse, ask safe questions, and take appropriate action.

Please ensure you have completed Level 1: Basic Domestic Abuse Awareness before booking onto any Level 2 training. Level 2 builds on foundational knowledge covered in Level 1 and assumes prior understanding of core domestic abuse concepts.

• Level 2: Enhanced Domestic Abuse Training

  For frontline staff working directly with victims and survivors. Level 2 training develops a deeper understanding of complex needs, trauma-informed practice, and safeguarding responsibilities. It lasts for half a day and is delivered both online and in person.

   

• Level 2: Domestic Abuse and Risk Training

  For practitioners undertaking risk assessment and safety planning. Level 2 training focuses on DASH risk assessments, MARAC processes, and multi-agency responses to high-risk cases. It lasts for half a day and is delivered online and in person. 

   

• Gloucestershire Training Pathway Refresher Training

  We provide shorter refresher sessions for Level 1 and Level 2 modules. These can be delivered as live virtual sessions or on-demand recordings, providing flexible opportunities for professionals to refresh their knowledge and meet continuing professional development (CPD) requirements.

Together, these modules create a clear, county-wide training pathway that empowers professionals to identify abuse earlier, respond safely, and ensure victims and survivors receive the right support at the right time.

Additional Training Opportunities

In addition to the core Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Training Pathway, GDASS delivers further learning opportunities to meet emerging workforce needs.

• Domestic Abuse and the Impact on Children & Young People

  • Children as victims in their own right under the legal definition of domestic abuse.
  • The impact of witnessing domestic abuse.
  • Domestic abuse as an Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE).
  • The role of professionals in safeguarding and supporting children.
  • Children's safeguarding processes and professional challenge.
  • Learning from Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews (DARDRs).

This half-day course explores the impact of domestic abuse on children and young people and supports professionals to adopt a whole-family approach when working with adult victims who have children. Content includes:

Together, these modules create a clear, county-wide training pathway that empowers professionals to identify abuse earlier, respond safely, and ensure victims and survivors receive the right support at the right time.

• Emerging Areas of Need and Specialist Training

  • Domestic abuse, protected characteristics, and intersectionality.
  • Domestic abuse within specific communities and underrepresented groups.
  • Early identification and intervention, including a public health approach to prevention.
  • Supporting victims of adult child-to-parent abuse.
  • Emerging trends and patterns in domestic abuse.
  • Learning from Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews (DARDRs).

GDASS works closely with commissioners, the Domestic Abuse Local Partnership Board, and the VAWG Policy and Strategy Leads to identify and respond to emerging training needs across Gloucestershire.

Additional specialist modules and bite-sized learning opportunities are then developed in response to local priorities, workforce feedback, and emerging trends. Topics include:

GDASS also supports the sharing of learning from Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews through partnership briefings, thematic learning events, workshops, and multi-agency discussions.

Booking and Bespoke Training

All training modules are offered on a rolling programme. Entry Level and Level 1 sessions are delivered online each week, while Level 2 training is available in person throughout the year.

To book a place on any of the training modules, please follow the links below.

We can also deliver any of these training modules exclusively to your organisation, adapting content to meet your specific needs and workforce requirements. Bespoke organisational training can be delivered online or in person and is provided free of charge.

To find out more, please follow the link below.