Specialist: Older person violence advisor (Opva) training

Time Commitment

The Opva Specialist course comprises 4 days online training, delivered in four consecutive days; e-learning modules which must be completed prior to attending each block of training; and the completion of one assessed worksheets that is submitted online.

You must attend all 4 days. 

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

• Guided learning (training blocks, pre-course reading and e-learning modules) – 40 hours
• Worksheets – 15 hours
• Notional study – 40 hours
• Total course time requirement – 95 hours 

Eligibility

Our Opva Specialist course is available to practitioners who meet the following eligibility criteria:

1. Anyone with a current, active caseload supporting domestic abuse victims. This is to ensure that you have a variety of cases for practice reflection as part of your assessment.
2. Has a line manager or equivalent supervisor within an appropriate organisation. They should confirm your application details and support you for the duration of the course and whilst you are completing the worksheets.

To promote diversity and widen our learners’ network, we generally limit the number of successful applicants from the same organisation admitted to one course to two spaces.
For professionals who have not completed the Idva Foundation course, they can complete this as CPD.
SafeLives highly recommends non-DA professionals have a strong knowledge of domestic abuse case management
Please consider this before you apply to avoid any disappointment.

Price 

£718.25 per learner

Subsidies

We’re pleased to offer a limited number of subsidised spaces for learners wishing to train with us.

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.  Thanks to the additional funding from Ministry of Justice our subsidised spaces are offered at an even lower rate currently.

• Subsidised spaces £60 (previously £600) - Learners from registered charities with an annual income of less than £1million.
• Super subsidised spaces £35 (previously £350) - Learners from registered charities with an annual income of less than £500,000.

How to apply

Applications for the Specialist Opva training are now closed.

Register your interest in future training

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.