Swindon Safeguarding Partnership

As part of a county-wide initiative to strengthen safeguarding practices, all schools and colleges in Wiltshire and Swindon will receive free presentation slides on Domestic Abuse Awareness Training to complement your existing safeguarding training at the start of the new academic year.

This initiative is led by the EVAWG Wiltshire Group (Ending Violence Against Women and Girls), chaired by Lady Lansdowne, the Marchioness of Lansdowne. The group comprises members of the public, judiciary, police, domestic abuse organisations, business leaders, and education professionals, and serves as an independent advisory body to Wiltshire Police.

One of its key aims is to support local strategies that ensure all children and young people, especially those affected by domestic abuse, can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Purpose of the training slides

The training slides are designed to:

• equip all staff with the knowledge and skills to recognise, respond to, and support pupils experiencing or witnessing domestic abuse
• raise awareness and reduce stigma around domestic abuse
• provide staff with the language and understanding to support affected children effectively

These resources are provided by Society Without Abuse (SWA), a Wiltshire-based charity dedicated to creating safer futures free from domestic abuse. The SWA HOPE team offers a range of support to children and young people, aged 5 to 18 years, as follows:

• One to One outreach - trauma informed support for children and young people who have been impacted by domestic abuse and are on their journey towards recovery
• Healing Together, Helping Hands and Children and Young People recovery toolkit – group sessions run by expert facilitators using evidence-based programmes
• SWA HOPE Programme for educational settings – incorporating healthy relationship sessions, drop-in sessions for staff, parents, young people and a package of training for the staff team

The free resources will be available on Friday, 18 July via the SWA website.

We very much hope that you will welcome this initiative and that all schools and colleges take this opportunity to integrate these slides into your staff training programmes this September. By doing so, you will be contributing to a safer, more supportive environment for all pupils.

If you have any questions or would like further support in delivering this training, please do not hesitate to contact us at:

Emma Maclennan, Children and Families Manager
Society Without Abuse
P.O Box 3816
Swindon
SN5 1BQ

Email: emaclennan@societywithoutabuse.org.uk
Tel: 07842 425161 (General Enquiries: 01793 698001, Direct Line: 01793 698018)

If you would like to know more about the work of the coalition, or are interested in joining a group that is specifically working on further initiatives to support schools and prevent children from domestic abuse please do contact us.

Thank you for your continued commitment to safeguarding and supporting the wellbeing of children and young people in our communities.