Swindon Safeguarding Partnership

This work aligns with the Government’s Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy, which places a strong emphasis on prevention, early identification and education as key levers in protecting children and young people from misogyny, abuse and harmful behaviours. Schools are identified as critical protective environments where awareness, culture and early intervention can significantly improve outcomes.

The framework has been developed by the EVAWG Wiltshire Education Group, bringing together expertise from education, safeguarding, local authority services and specialist domestic abuse providers. It reflects both statutory safeguarding expectations and local partnership priorities across Swindon and Wiltshire.

Domestic Abuse Awareness Training Framework

The framework provides a planned, progressive two year approach to embedding domestic abuse awareness within safeguarding practice. It is designed to:

• build staff confidence in recognising, responding to and supporting children affected by domestic abuse
• ensure consistency and sustainability, moving beyond one off training sessions
• support a trauma-informed and whole-school approach
• complement your existing safeguarding training, rather than add burden

Accessing training resources (via SWA)

We are pleased to confirm that a suite of high-quality training materials is now available to schools, developed in partnership with Society Without Abuse (SWA).
These include:

• staff training slides for use in September safeguarding briefings
• guidance to support delivery and discussion
• links to wider SWA HOPE support services, including:
  • one-to-one outreach for children and young people
  • group programmes and recovery support
  • whole-school packages including training and workshops

All resources can be accessed via the SWA website: Domestic Abuse Training Services

We strongly encourage schools to integrate these resources into your start-of-year safeguarding training.

School self-evaluation audit (for Headteachers and DSLs)

To support leaders in evaluating and strengthening practice, we are also sharing a Domestic Abuse School Self-Evaluation Audit Tool.

This audit is designed to provide structured reflection for Headteachers and Designated Safeguarding Leads on how effectively systems are embedded within your school. It focuses on key areas such as:

• whether domestic abuse is prioritised within safeguarding
• staff confidence in recognising and responding to concerns
• early identification and appropriate recording and escalation
• curriculum provision and pupil awareness

 The audit enables schools to identify strengths, gaps and clear next steps, ensuring domestic abuse awareness is not only understood but systematically embedded within safeguarding practice.

Next steps

• Access the resources and incorporate into September safeguarding training
• Complete the self-evaluation audit
• Use outcomes to inform safeguarding priorities and staff development
• Engage with future training and resources as part of the two-year framework

Further materials and opportunities will continue to be shared on a rolling basis.

We would like to thank you for your continued commitment to safeguarding and to improving the life chances of children and young people. By strengthening our collective approach to domestic abuse awareness, we ensure that schools remain safe, informed and responsive environments for those who need them most.

If you require any further information or support, get in touch.

• Email: emaclennan@societywithoutabuse.org.uk
• Telephone: 07842 425161 (general enquiries: 01793 698001, direct line: 01793 698018)