Course | Certificate in Domestic Abuse & Violence Awareness

Prices

Original price: £120.00 + VAT (£24.00)

The price listed reflects a one-time payment. An additional pricing option for School is available for this course upon request.

For further information, please visit The National College website.

Expert

Charlotte Woodward
With over thirty years of experience in the domestic abuse sector, Charlotte is a national professional and a highly experienced trainer who has helped hundreds of organisations improve their responses to domestic abuse across private, public and voluntary services. Charlotte has held a number of leadership roles before taking up her current position at NCDV, an organisation that helps thousands of people each year obtain civil protection orders through the courts and uses its national voice to make domestic abuse socially unacceptable. Having worked extensively with adult and child survivors of domestic abuse, Charlotte went on to develop initiatives and programmes to support their recovery. Additionally, she has worked with perpetrators of domestic abuse to help them address their offending behaviours. Charlotte holds an MA in Domestic & Sexual Violence and qualifications in counselling and mental health. Alongside her work at NCDV she is researching for her PhD and regularly delivers presentations and guest lectures. As a survivor of childhood and teenage relationship abuse, Charlotte has a keen interest in safeguarding children and young people.

Overview

Protect children and families by deepening your understanding of domestic abuse and violence. This essential course empowers you to recognise the signs, fulfil your legal safeguarding duties, and support those most vulnerable in your community with confidence and compassion.

Aim

This course aims to equip you with the awareness and expertise to safeguard children and adults affected by domestic abuse or violence. It seeks to deepen your understanding of its impact, enhance your ability to recognise warning signs, and ensure that you can take the appropriate steps to protect and support individuals in your setting – ultimately fostering safer, more resilient education communities.

Description

Through the insightful modules, you will explore the definitions, prevalence and psychological aspects of domestic abuse and violence. You will become familiar with key legislation, develop confidence in recognising warning signs in both adults and children, and understand your legal responsibilities for reporting and supporting victims. This training ensures you can provide effective safeguarding support within your school or college, creating a culture where everyone feels safe, protected, and valued.

Last updated: 22/07/2025
Course format: Includes video, tasks, and reading. Full participation is required to meet learning objectives.
International learners: Based on UK legislation – please also follow laws in your own country.
Subtitles available: AI-generated subtitles in 12+ languages. Click the CC button to select.
Content warning: Includes sensitive topics that some may find distressing.

Modules

Introduction
The Certificate in Domestic Abuse & Violence Awareness course empowers education professionals to identify, understand, and respond to domestic abuse, particularly its effects on children and young people. It explores the legal definitions, types of abuse, risk indicators, and appropriate safeguarding actions.


Module One: Understanding domestic abuse
This module introduces legal definitions from the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, emphasising that abuse includes emotional, psychological, and financial control, not just physical violence. It also discusses who is at risk, the alarming statistics in the UK, and typologies of abuse.


Module Two: Dynamics and risk factors
This module explores how domestic abuse plays out in family life, particularly its impact on parenting, boundaries, and child wellbeing. It addresses the barriers victims face in leaving abusive relationships and examines theories behind abusive behaviour.


Module Three: Impacts on children and adults
This module examines both short- and long-term effects of domestic abuse on adults and children, including mental health challenges, trauma, and maladaptive behaviours. It also covers the concept of resilience and how some children may develop adaptive coping strategies.


Module Four: Safeguarding and legal protections
This module explains the legal framework for protecting children, including the Children Act 1989, Section 17 and 47, MARACs, and Clare’s Law. It details how to respond to disclosures from both children and adults in accordance with safeguarding policies.


Module Five: Supporting recovery in schools
This final module focuses on the psychological impact of domestic abuse on children and strategies for schools to provide emotional support, structure, and stability.

Learning Outcomes

Outcome 1:
Understanding the definitions of domestic abuse and violence, their prevalence in UK society, and the psychology of perpetrator and victim

Outcome 2:
Gaining familiarisation with the legislation which helps prevent domestic abuse and violence, protects victims, and raises awareness

Outcome 3:
Recognising how domestic abuse and violence impacts, in the long or short term, pupils who are subjected to it or witness it

Outcome 4:
Recognising the different types of domestic abuse and being aware of the warning signs and indicators in adults and children

Outcome 5:
Understanding your legal duties to report admissions or suspicions, with a focus on appropriate procedures and policies