Welcome to our brand new website, providing you with easier access to our training, research and resources!
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.
To achieve the OCN Diploma in Domestic Abuse you will need to 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. By attaining this, you will have proven yourself knowledgeable and capable in three of the areas we have identified as key to helping victims and survivors of domestic abuse.
We want you to feel proud and confident in your role as a highly qualified professional, which is why all of our England and Wales based courses continue to be accredited by OCN London.
We offer training at both Foundation and Specialist level in a range of key areas. Each Foundation course is based on what we considered essential domestic abuse training plus a unit on a specialist field. The Specialist units assume you already have this knowledge and offer the chance to learn in a different field.
Please be aware that if you are based in Scotland and have completed your Idaa qualification, this does not count towards the Domestic Abuse Diploma. For more information click here.
Step 1: Complete and pass a SafeLives Foundation course. This will give you an OCN Level 3 Accreditation in Domestic Abuse. All SafeLives Foundation courses are made up of the same initial 8 days of core domestic abuse knowledge plus 4 days of specialist content, 12 days of training in total.
If you have already graduated from the Foundation course, please check the date of your certification. You are eligible to complete the Diploma only if you received your accreditation after September 2016.
Step 2: You will need to complete and pass two further SafeLives Specialist 4 day courses to add to your Foundation course qualification in order to obtain the Diploma. These must be in two of the course areas that are not the focus of the Foundation course you have completed. For example, if you have completed Idva Foundation you are not eligible for the Idva Specialist course. Our Specialist courses focus on more specific areas of Idva and/or DA frontline work.
Contact our training team with any queries.
Our Foundation Independent domestic violence advisor (Idva) training enhances practical knowledge of domestic violence, helping you provide the best possible support for domestic abuse victims, survivors and their children.
Our Foundation training for outreach workers will improve the support you offer clients by learning about trauma-informed responses, strength based work and building resilience.
Our Foundation responding to young people affected by domestic abuse (Ypva) course aims to increase understanding of how domestic abuse differs for young people and how to make young people safer.
Our Specialist responding to victims of sexual violence course aims to build skills and confidence to improve professional responses and make victims of sexual violence safer.
Our Specialist Older person violence advisor (Opva) training aims to enhance professionals practical knowledge to best support older people who are victims of domestic abuse.
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, anti-racist practice, Sarc, and stalking.
Our Specialist training for outreach workers course aims to strengthen the support domestic abuse specialists offer to victims and survivors using a risk-led approach.
Our Specialist Young persons violence advisor (Ypva) training course aims to increase understanding of how domestic abuse differs for young people and how to make young people safer.
It’s vital that domestic abuse professionals address the safety of victims, ensure children are appropriately supported and increase accountability and responsibility of perpetrators, so more families can become safer sooner.
Our ‘Dynamics of domestic abuse training in Scotland’ is designed to provide introductory knowledge and understanding of domestic abuse.
Idaa Training aims to equip managers or practitioners in domestic abuse services in Scotland with the knowledge and skills to offer a consistent, safe and effective response to high risk victims of domestic abuse.
Our Safety planning for domestic abuse training in Scotland is designed to enhance knowledge of safety planning for domestic abuse cases.
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.
