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Idaa Block 5: Domestic Abuse Court Advocacy (DACA) Training

ASSIST, Scottish Women’s Aid and SafeLives are working in partnership to deliver a new specialist unit for DACA (Domestic Abuse Court Advocacy) workers in Scotland. This course is designed as further development following the Idaa course, which covers the core domestic abuse knowledge you would need.

Key course features

Our Block 5 Idaa Domestic Abuse Court Advocacy unit aims to support you with the following:

  • Helping victims and their children feel safer through the provision of specialist domestic abuse court advocacy knowledge
  • Developing confidence and skills of domestic abuse court advocacy workers to effectively support, advocate for, and empower clients who are victims of domestic abuse in criminal court cases
  • Share experience and best practice with other learners while engaging in reflective practice

Course overview

This unit will equip learners with the necessary skills and knowledge to carry out the Domestic Abuse Court Advocacy role; learning what is involved in managing domestic abuse court advocacy cases, from referral into the service to case closure.

 

Learners will improve their knowledge of legislation and policy, and explore the different roles, responsibilities and remits of criminal justice agencies.

 

The course will focus on how to communicate effectively with clients and offer person-centred emotional support in a safe way. A number of specialist guest speakers present on the course on the criminal justice process, the domestic abuse court advocacy standards.

 

Learners will gain an additional SQA credit at SCQF level 7.

 

Learn more about the Domestic Abuse Court Advocacy (DACA) standards

The DACA Standards

DACA services and the role of DACA workers was covered thoroughly and comprehensively. The group work gave the opportunity to discuss topics with workers from a variety of services and share our thoughts and experiences.

Time commitment

This training is delivered online, and consists of three days training across separate weeks. There is a compulsory assessment which should take around 6-14 hours to complete depending on ability.

 

Learners are also encouraged to visit court prior to the course beginning, and are expected to refresh their previous Idaa knowledge through pre-reading.

Eligibility

Learners must have completed IDAA Blocks 1-4 and be working in an existing, or emerging, Domestic Abuse Court Advocacy service.

 

Domestic abuse court advocacy services will, throughout the duration of the court process:

  • Provide specialist domestic abuse support
  • Offer information about the criminal justice process
  • Act as a conduit for victims’ voices to be heard in the criminal justice process.

 

The IDAA Block 5 (Domestic Abuse Court Advocacy) course is available to practitioners who meet the following eligibility criteria:

  1. Learners must have completed IDAA Blocks 1-4. This block builds on the knowledge you will have gained from achieving your IDAA qualification.
  2. Learners must be working in an established Domestic Abuse Court Advocacy service, or in a service that is being mentored by the DACA team to develop a new Domestic Abuse Court Advocacy service.

 

If you are unsure if you meet the eligibility criteria, please contact us as soon as possible by emailing: scotland@safelives.org.uk.

 

Services who are interested in developing a Domestic Abuse Court Advocacy Service should contact scotland@safelives.org.uk to discuss this with the DACA team.

 

Idaa foundation training

Price

This course is subsidised in full by the Scottish Government at this time.

How to apply

Simply register your interest for Idaa Block 5: DACA training, and we’ll be in contact when applications open in 2025.

 

Register your interest here

Accessibility

We welcome learners of all backgrounds and abilities. We encourage you to share with us any details on accessibility and diversity needs so we can ensure the right support is in place. You can also contact us if you have any queries via training@safelives.org.uk.

"Informative, educational, good signposting to other resources."

Available training

Idaa Block 5: Domestic Abuse Court Advocacy (DACA)

Delivered online

Please register your interest and we’ll contact you as soon as future dates are confirmed.

Register your interest

The DACA standards are a world first!  

The Domestic Abuse Court Advocacy website offers lots of useful insights for learners and professionals. From information about the DACA standards themselves, to accreditations, news, background materials, reports, and important resources.

Head to website

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