A diverse group of women talking.

Accredited training at SafeLives

Accredited domestic abuse training from OCN London, combining essential foundation learning with specialist modules to support confident and informed professional practice.

Why Choose SafeLives Training?

Build confidence. Gain accreditation. Change lives.

At SafeLives, we provide high-quality, accredited training that empowers professionals to respond to domestic abuse with confidence, skill and compassion.

Our courses – accredited by OCN London – give you the knowledge and practical tools to recognise the signs of abuse, understand complex situations, and take effective action when it matters most.

 

Expert-led training you can trust

Our trainers are experienced specialists, passionate about ending domestic abuse. Every year, we support hundreds of professionals to strengthen their practice and deliver better outcomes for victims and survivors.

We are proud to deliver the flagship IDVA qualification, developed in partnership with the Home Office. Since its launch, we’ve trained over 3,000 IDVAs, alongside thousands more professionals through our continuing professional development (CPD) courses.

Designed for real-world impact

Our training is practical, relevant and grounded in frontline experience. Whether you are new to the sector or building on existing expertise, we help you develop the skills to:

  • Identify and respond to domestic abuse effectively
  • Provide safe, informed and tailored support
  • Work confidently with complex and high-risk cases
  • Make a meaningful difference to victims and their families
  • Accreditation that strengthens your practice

 

Achieving a recognised diploma demonstrates your expertise across key areas, including:

  • Independent Domestic Violence Advocacy (IDVA)
  • Outreach support
  • Responding to sexual violence
  • Supporting older people
  • Engaging with those who harm
  • Working with young people

As more practitioners gain these qualifications, more victims and survivors receive the right support – at the right time.

 

Join a community making a difference

Over 3,000 professionals have already trained with SafeLives. Join a growing network committed to ending domestic abuse and helping families stay safe.

 

Ready to take the next step?

Explore our training courses or get in touch to find the right programme for you

 

Why is being accredited important?

By attaining a diploma, you prove yourself as knowledgeable and capable in three of the areas we have identified as key to helping victims and survivors of domestic abuse – IDVA, Outreach, responding to sexual violence, responding to older people, engaging with those who harm and working with young people.

As more and more practitioners take up this qualification, we hope more victims and survivors will receive the kind of tailored support that meets their needs, when they need it.

 

Foundation or specialist? How to choose a course

We offer training at both foundation and specialist level in four key areas. Each foundation course is based on what we consider essential domestic abuse training, with an additional unit in a specialist field.

One foundation course will gain you a Certificate in Domestic Abuse. Complete an additional two specialist level courses to attain a Diploma in Domestic Abuse.

Learn more about getting a Diploma in Domestic Abuse

Our accredited training courses

Browse our selection of foundation and specialist courses here:

Specialist: Independent domestic violence advisor (IDVA) training

Our specialist Independent domestic violence advisor (IDVA) training provides additional learning to IDVAs and domestic abuse practitioners on a range of further topics including police response, CPS, Responding to sexual violence, Stalking, MARAC & High risk perpetrators 
A group of people, two women are writing

Specialist: Training for outreach workers

Our Specialist: Training for outreach workers enables domestic abuse specialists to strengthen the support they offer to victims and survivors using a risk-led approach.

Domestic Abuse Diploma Level 3

To achieve the OCN Diploma in Domestic Abuse learners must be based in England or Wales and complete one Level 3 Foundation accredited training course and two Level 3 Specialist accredited training courses with SafeLives to support victims and survivors of domestic abuse.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Sign up to receive our monthly newsletters about the latest training, events, research and fundraising initiatives at SafeLives. Together, we can end domestic abuse, for everyone, for good.

Sign up