Foundation: Independent domestic violence advisor (Idva) training

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

Key course features

Our Idva Foundation course aims to support you with the following content topics:

Helping victims and their children feel safer through the provision of a quality Idva response.
Develop your confidence and skills through group work, coaching and one-to-one feedback sessions
Share experience and best practice with other Idva learners while engaging in reflective practice
Improve practice within your service
Advocate for domestic abuse victims, survivors, and their children in multi-agency settings

Course overview

The Idva Foundation 12 day course is aimed at Idva practitioners, domestic abuse practitioners and service managers who currently carry an active caseload of domestic abuse victims or are about to start doing so.

Successful completion of this accredited course will give you an OCNLR Level 3 certificate in Domestic Abuse: Prevention and Intervention.

The training is supported by relevant specialists from many different fields, including the criminal justice system, family law, child protection, sexual assault referral centres (Sarcs) and housing services. The training also includes modules on Multi-agency risk assessment conferences (Marac), anti-racist practice, and working with minoritised groups experiencing domestic abuse or harmful practices. The content is designed to give learners the depth and breadth of understanding needed to support domestic abuse victims, survivors and their children in a multi-agency context from a whole family perspective.

98%
of learners told us they felt more confident in their role after receiving our Idva training.

The course aims to enhance your practical knowledge, helping you provide the best possible support for all victims of domestic abuse and their children, specialising in high risk. Topics covered in the course includes:

Prosocial modelling, vicarious trauma and advocacy core skills
Using the Dash Risk Assessment and effective safety planning
Anti-racist practice
Harmful practices
LGBTQ+
Civil law including non-molestation options
Criminal justice system
Housing law and options
Mental health

If you have already completed the Idva Foundation Training, check out our Specialist Training

Specialist: Responding to young people affected by domestic abuse (Ypva)

Specialist: Responding to victims of sexual violence

Specialist: Older person violence advisor (Opva) training

Specialist: Engaging with those who harm

Engaging with knowledgeable trainers and guest speakers. There have been a wide variety of resources shared which we can take back, share with colleagues and put into practice. Lots of books and programmes, podcasts recommended to further our learning.

Previous learner

Time commitment

The Idva Foundation course comprises 12 days (in-room, online, or hybrid) training, delivered in four blocks; e-learning modules which must be completed prior to attending each block of training; and the completion of four assessed worksheets that are submitted online.

The first eight days of all our foundation courses cover what we consider the core essentials for anyone working with victims of domestic abuse. The final four days focus on the specialist subject. You must attend all 12 days.

The list below provides guidance on recommended study time you should allow:

Guided learning (training blocks, pre-course reading and e-learning modules) – 120 hours
Worksheets – 50 hours
Notional study – 130 hours
Total course time requirement – 300 hours

Eligibility

Our Idva Foundation course is available to practitioners who meet the following eligibility criteria:

Anyone with a current active caseload of adults in the community. This is to ensure that you have a varied range of case examples for your worksheets.
A line manager or equivalent role within an appropriate organisation, who can vouch for you for the entire time you are on the course and completing the worksheets.

To promote diversity and widen our learners’ network, we will limit the number of successful applicants from the same organisation admitted to one course to two spaces. Please consider this before you apply to avoid any disappointment.

There were lots of learning points including understanding the typologies of domestic abuse. This will allow me to relate this to practice and understand the typology in abusive relationships.

Previous learner

Price

£2,450 per learner. This training is tax exempt.

For practitioners based in Wales, please refer to our Wales: Idva Foundation training which is fully-funded.

Wales: Idva Foundation training

Subsidies

The reduced fee spaces are allocated by random selection from the pool of successful applicants who qualify. Please ensure that you complete the application as fully as possible as the answers provided on the application will be used to determine eligible learners.

Subsidised space £2000 - Learners from registered charities with an annual income of less than £1million.
Super subsidised space £1000 - Learners from registered charities with an annual income of less than £500,000.

How to apply

Applications for the Idva Foundation Spring 2025 course are now open. If you cannot make any of the courses currently on offer, please register your interest below, and we’ll contact you when future dates are confirmed.

Additional information about the application process can be found in our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

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 [email protected].