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 launch the Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Training Pathway, delivered as part of our new GDASS contract. Developed in partnership with the Domestic Abuse Local Partnership Board, this one-year pilot 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.
• 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. 

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.

All four training modules are offered on a rolling programme, with each module being offered at least once a month.  Entry Level and Level 1 training sessions are delivered online each week; Level 2 training is delivered online and in person at least once a month. To book a place on any of the training modules, please follow the links below. 

We are also able to deliver any of these training modules, with adaptations to your particular requirements, exclusively to your organisation, either in person or online.  This is also provided free of charge. To find out more, please follow the link below.