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Idaa training (Scotland) - FAQs

Who can apply?
How much does it cost?
How can this training help learners?
What accreditation level is the course?
What are the training requirements?
Who are the course trainers?
What is the background to this training?

 

Who can apply?

The course is specifically tailored to those practicing within Scotland. The broad range of topics covered on this course means it is suitable for experienced practitioners and those who are new to the role. This includes those who are:

  • currently working as an independent domestic abuse advocate or domestic abuse practitioner
  • about to start work as an independent domestic abuse advocate or domestic abuse practitioner
  • managers of a domestic abuse service with a caseload

For learners to get the most out of the training, they must have an understanding of the dynamics of domestic abuse, particularly in relation to the gendered nature of domestic abuse. They may have attended a Scottish Women’s Aid’s or other specialist training on domestic abuse within the last 3 years, or can demonstrate their understanding on the application form.

If a learner has not completed recent training, the charities (ASSIST, SafeLives and Scottish Women’s Aid) may wish to talk to them by phone before accepting their application.

Learners must have the support of their service manager to attend this training and to complete the required assignments. The course requires a significant commitment of study time outside of the training room and the course is most effective where a learner has the support of their line manager to attend the training and complete the notional study time requirements.

Pre-course reading material will be made available to all successful applicants.

If you are providing support to victims in a voluntary capacity, this course is unlikely to be suitable for you. If you have any doubts about whether you are eligible for the training please get in touch with the training team. 

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How much does it cost?

The Scottish Government generously funded development and previous delivery of the Idaa programme, however despite continued support of the training the Scottish Government is unable to fund further courses at the present time.

The cost per person will be £1652. This includes the cost of £52 per student that must be paid in order to register with the accrediting body; SQA.

At present, training is fully online and there are no plans to go back to face to face for the forseeable. If the training is face to face, the costs of accommodation and travel are not covered as part of the cost of the course.

Subsidies

Though we would love to be able to offer subsidies this is not viable at this time as we have no core funding available for Idaa so it is needs to self-fund. We are looking into options to do this in the future but this is not available as of 2024. 

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How can this training help learners?

Through expert speakers and relevant topics, this course aims to help you:

  • feel equipped to increase the safety of victims of domestic abuse
  • increase your confidence levels through group work
  • improve your career prospects with a professional development award on completion
  • share experience and best practice with other scottish domestic abuse practitioners in a learning environment

Benefits for service managers

By completing this training, service managers will be improving practice within their service and making victims and their children safer.

We advise that where the training is accessed by a service manager that they train separately from any member of their staff. This provides a more appropriate learning environment for both parties and allows each professional individual access to learning.

We do not run seperate Service Managers training in Scotland.

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What accreditation level is the course?

The professional development award has been validated by the Scottish Qualifications Authority and is level 7 of the Scottish Credit and Qualifications framework. The award is made up of 4 SQA Units.

Please note that to obtain the full professional development award, participants will need to complete all parts of the training. You will receive a certificate for each unit completed, and the full award from SQA.

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What are the training requirements?

To ensure you get the most from your training we ask that all applicants:

  • attend all 12 days of the training
  • complete all compulsory assessment exercises within the timescales agreed
  • have access to a current version of Microsoft Word and the internet (to access our online learner centre to submit assessment worksheets online and receive email communications)
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Who are the course trainers?

The courses will be led by Mhairi McGowan (SafeLives Associate) and co-trained by Fiona McMullen of ASSIST. Learners will also benefit from the input of a selection of specialist guest speakers.

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What is the background to this training?

Together, ASSIST, SafeLives and Scottish Women's Aid successfully made a joint grant application to the Scottish Government for the development and delivery of a domestic abuse advocacy training and qualification for specialist domestic abuse practitioners.

The course will be based on key parts of the successful SafeLives foundation Idva training programme, which has been developed over the past 11 years in England and Wales and delivered to over 1800 practitioners. The Scottish course will be a qualification that is validated by the Scottish Qualifications Authority and has been tailored to meet the needs of a Scottish audience.

For more information about the organisations involved please use the links below.

About ASSIST
About SafeLives
About Scottish Women’s Aid

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