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Apprenticeship training course

Domestic and sexual abuse support worker (level 4)

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Information about Domestic and sexual abuse support worker (level 4)

Provide early intervention, specialist advocacy, emotional and practical support to those who are experiencing and recovering from domestic abuse and or sexual violence.

Knowledge, skills and behaviours
View knowledge, skills and behaviours

Knowledge

  • Organisational policies and procedures for responding to crisis situations.
  • Organisational policies and procedures for risk assessment, safeguarding and safety planning and the tools which can be used.
  • Gendered, historical, social, and intersectional contexts of domestic abuse and or sexual violence.
  • Legislation and organisational policies and procedures relevant to the sector including those relating to anti-discrimination and equality.
  • Case management systems used by own organisation, how they operate and monitor outcomes, and how they should be used within own role and in line with organisational policies and procedures.
  • Organisational policies and procedures for supporting survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence, through police and court processes.
  • Civil and criminal sanctions, remedies and orders available to hold perpetrators accountable and promote the safety of victims.
  • Types of information available from external organisations and how to obtain it.
  • Different communication aids that can be used when working remotely or face to face.
  • The importance of communicating with survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence, considering their individual backgrounds and experiences of domestic abuse and or sexual violence.
  • Professional boundaries and responsibilities of the role and the importance of maintaining independence.
  • Models of reflective practice and how reflection can be used to improve own practice.
  • Programmes that are available to aid recovery and promote the empowerment of survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence and or how to deliver the programmes.
  • Ways in which survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence can input into own organisation’s and national processes and governance.
  • Sources of secondary and institutional abuse and ways of addressing these including through complaints procedures to promote the empowerment of survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence.
  • The importance of raising awareness of accountability of perpetrators of domestic abuse and or sexual violence.
  • The importance of self-care and available support structures.
  • Options available to survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence to access safe accommodation and secure a permanent address.
  • Ways that survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence can access legal, financial, voluntary and statutory support services.
  • How statutory homelessness duties apply, and local and regional policies on obtaining social housing.
  • How to support survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence with child maintenance services applications.
  • How immigration status can affect statutory access to healthcare and other services and support.
  • Ways to support survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence who are not British citizens with accessing help and support.
  • The availability and priorities of other agencies and support services for survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence.
  • What constitutes a needs-led approach to safety.
  • Impacts of sexual assault and sexual exploitation on children, young people, and adult survivors.
  • The range of impacts domestic abuse and or sexual violence can have on survivors and how to adapt service provision to support them.
  • Organisational policies and procedures for responding to crisis situations.
  • Organisational policies and procedures for risk assessment, safeguarding and safety planning and the tools which can be used.
  • Gendered, historical, social, and intersectional contexts of domestic abuse and or sexual violence.
  • Legislation and organisational policies and procedures relevant to the sector including those relating to anti-discrimination and equality.
  • Case management systems used by own organisation, how they operate and monitor outcomes, and how they should be used within own role and in line with organisational policies and procedures.
  • Organisational policies and procedures for supporting survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence, through police and court processes.
  • Civil and criminal sanctions, remedies and orders available to hold perpetrators accountable and promote the safety of victims.
  • Types of information available from external organisations and how to obtain it.
  • Different communication aids that can be used when working remotely or face to face.
  • The importance of communicating with survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence, considering their individual backgrounds and experiences of domestic abuse and or sexual violence.
  • Professional boundaries and responsibilities of the role and the importance of maintaining independence.
  • Models of reflective practice and how reflection can be used to improve own practice.
  • Programmes that are available to aid recovery and promote the empowerment of survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence and or how to deliver the programmes.
  • Ways in which survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence can input into own organisation’s and national processes and governance.
  • Sources of secondary and institutional abuse and ways of addressing these including through complaints procedures to promote the empowerment of survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence.
  • The importance of raising awareness of accountability of perpetrators of domestic abuse and or sexual violence.
  • The importance of self-care and available support structures.
  • The impacts of domestic abuse on children and young people and how to support them.
  • Ways to communicate with children and young people using technologies adapted to individual needs.
  • How to design appropriate activities for children and young people.
  • Ways to support and involve survivors who are parents when working with their children.
  • Techniques to support and promote the empowerment of survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence when dealing with contact from children and young people and family court processes.
  • The importance of carrying out preventative work and activities for children and young people, and the different programmes available.
  • The rights, entitlements and support options available to children and young people, and how to access services.
  • Agencies that support children and young people, and their referral and information requirements.
  • Organisational policies and procedures for responding to crisis situations.
  • Organisational policies and procedures for risk assessment, safeguarding and safety planning and the tools which can be used.
  • Gendered, historical, social, and intersectional contexts of domestic abuse and or sexual violence.
  • Legislation and organisational policies and procedures relevant to the sector including those relating to anti-discrimination and equality.
  • Case management systems used by own organisation, how they operate and monitor outcomes, and how they should be used within own role and in line with organisational policies and procedures.
  • Organisational policies and procedures for supporting survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence, through police and court processes.
  • Civil and criminal sanctions, remedies and orders available to hold perpetrators accountable and promote the safety of victims.
  • Types of information available from external organisations and how to obtain it.
  • Different communication aids that can be used when working remotely or face to face.
  • The importance of communicating with survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence, considering their individual backgrounds and experiences of domestic abuse and or sexual violence.
  • Professional boundaries and responsibilities of the role and the importance of maintaining independence.
  • Models of reflective practice and how reflection can be used to improve own practice.
  • Programmes that are available to aid recovery and promote the empowerment of survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence and or how to deliver the programmes.
  • Ways in which survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence can input into own organisation’s and national processes and governance.
  • Sources of secondary and institutional abuse and ways of addressing these including through complaints procedures to promote the empowerment of survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence.
  • The importance of raising awareness of accountability of perpetrators of domestic abuse and or sexual violence.
  • The importance of self-care and available support structures.
  • How immigration status can affect statutory access to healthcare and other services and support.
  • Core values and empowerment models to adopt when supporting and working with survivors of sexual violence.
  • Agencies that support survivors of child sexual abuse (CSA) and child sexual exploitation (CSE), and how to make referrals to these.
  • When and how to challenge myths and stereotypes about survivors of sexual abuse.
  • Impacts of sexual assault and sexual exploitation on children, young people, and adult survivors.
  • Different ways that survivors of sexual abuse and violence may be impacted by their experiences, including cognitive, practical, emotional and behavioural responses and how to adapt provision of support to meet their needs.
  • Barriers to disclosure and how to identify and overcome them.
  • The rights, entitlements and support options available to survivors of sexual violence, and how to access services and specialist advice.
  • The agencies and support services in place for survivors of sexual violence and how priorities may affect their availability.

Skills

  • Recognise crisis situations and respond within the required timescales in line with organisational policies and procedures.
  • Carry out risk assessments, safeguarding and safety planning using risk assessment tools.
  • Assist and promote the empowerment of survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence who may have experienced inequality, discrimination and or forms of injustice.
  • Engage with survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence from marginalised and disadvantaged groups and diverse social backgrounds and identities in ways that respond to their individual identities.
  • Challenge intersectional gaps in service provision and or redress them.
  • Raise awareness about the intersections of multiple forms of disadvantage and their relevance to domestic abuse and or sexual violence.
  • Use own organisation’s case management systems in line with organisational policies and procedures.
  • Use information sources to advise survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence on protective sanctions, orders and remedies they can access through court processes and or refer them to appropriate specialist advice.
  • Support survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence through police investigations and or court processes within the context of own role.
  • Act as an independent advocate for survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence.
  • Adapt your communication method and style to meet the needs of the survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence.
  • Use communication aids to meet survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence’ specific needs.
  • Facilitate or assist in running programmes to aid recovery and promote the empowerment of survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence.
  • Use trauma-informed and needs-led approaches when assisting survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence to participate in service provision activities.
  • Raise awareness of the importance of accountability of perpetrators’ actions.
  • Refer and signpost survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence to other relevant voluntary or statutory multi-agency partners.
  • Reflect on own practice and access available supervision and case management support.
  • Maintain own continuous professional development and revise practice based on feedback received.
  • Work within the boundaries of legislation and organisational policies and procedures and apply these to the responsibilities of own role.
  • Establish, develop and manage professional relationships with survivors of sexual violence, setting out the boundaries of the relationship within own area of competence.
  • Recognise the importance of self-care, taking appropriate action when required.
  • Empower survivors to contribute to the co-design of services and provide them with a safe environment to do so.
  • Support survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence to access safe and permanent accommodation and advocate for their rights.
  • Secure specialist legal and financial advice for survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence.
  • Support survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence to be more aware of their rights and options and support with applications through child maintenance services when required.
  • Work with survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence who are not British citizens to access relevant help and support for themselves and or their families including those with no recourse to public funds.
  • Advocate for healthcare provision for all survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence, including those with no recourse to public funds.
  • Use a range of interventions to support and promote the safety and wellbeing of survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence.
  • Explore the emotional and practical needs of children and young people to support and help them to recover.
  • Act as an institutional advocate for survivors of different forms of sexual abuse.
  • Promote the empowerment of survivors of sexual abuse to identify barriers to disclosure and work with them to over-come the barriers.
  • Recognise crisis situations and respond within the required timescales in line with organisational policies and procedures.
  • Carry out risk assessments, safeguarding and safety planning using risk assessment tools.
  • Assist and promote the empowerment of survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence who may have experienced inequality, discrimination and or forms of injustice.
  • Engage with survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence from marginalised and disadvantaged groups and diverse social backgrounds and identities in ways that respond to their individual identities.
  • Challenge intersectional gaps in service provision and or redress them.
  • Raise awareness about the intersections of multiple forms of disadvantage and their relevance to domestic abuse and or sexual violence.
  • Use own organisation’s case management systems in line with organisational policies and procedures.
  • Use information sources to advise survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence on protective sanctions, orders and remedies they can access through court processes and or refer them to appropriate specialist advice.
  • Support survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence through police investigations and or court processes within the context of own role.
  • Act as an independent advocate for survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence.
  • Adapt your communication method and style to meet the needs of the survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence.
  • Use communication aids to meet survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence’ specific needs.
  • Facilitate or assist in running programmes to aid recovery and promote the empowerment of survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence.
  • Use trauma-informed and needs-led approaches when assisting survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence to participate in service provision activities.
  • Raise awareness of the importance of accountability of perpetrators’ actions.
  • Refer and signpost survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence to other relevant voluntary or statutory multi-agency partners.
  • Reflect on own practice and access available supervision and case management support.
  • Maintain own continuous professional development and revise practice based on feedback received.
  • Work within the boundaries of legislation and organisational policies and procedures and apply these to the responsibilities of own role.
  • Establish, develop and manage professional relationships with survivors of sexual violence, setting out the boundaries of the relationship within own area of competence.
  • Recognise the importance of self-care, taking appropriate action when required.
  • Empower survivors to contribute to the co-design of services and provide them with a safe environment to do so.
  • Explore the emotional and practical needs of children and young people to support and help them to recover.
  • Communicate with children and young people using technology to meet their needs and situations.
  • Enable children and young people to co-design and adapt activities in a safe environment.
  • Support and involve survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence in their role as parents when undertaking work with their children and young people.
  • Develop and carry out preventative work and activities to support other professionals who work with children and young people in different contexts.
  • Support and empower survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence and their children and or young people to ensure their voices are included within local and national responses and or processes related to domestic violence and or sexual abuse.
  • Collaborate with different agencies when dealing with safeguarding children and young people.
  • Recognise crisis situations and respond within the required timescales in line with organisational policies and procedures.
  • Carry out risk assessments, safeguarding and safety planning using risk assessment tools.
  • Assist and promote the empowerment of survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence who may have experienced inequality, discrimination and or forms of injustice.
  • Engage with survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence from marginalised and disadvantaged groups and diverse social backgrounds and identities in ways that respond to their individual identities.
  • Challenge intersectional gaps in service provision and or redress them.
  • Raise awareness about the intersections of multiple forms of disadvantage and their relevance to domestic abuse and or sexual violence.
  • Use own organisation’s case management systems in line with organisational policies and procedures.
  • Use information sources to advise survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence on protective sanctions, orders and remedies they can access through court processes and or refer them to appropriate specialist advice.
  • Support survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence through police investigations and or court processes within the context of own role.
  • Act as an independent advocate for survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence.
  • Adapt your communication method and style to meet the needs of the survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence.
  • Use communication aids to meet survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence’ specific needs.
  • Facilitate or assist in running programmes to aid recovery and promote the empowerment of survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence.
  • Use trauma-informed and needs-led approaches when assisting survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence to participate in service provision activities.
  • Raise awareness of the importance of accountability of perpetrators’ actions.
  • Refer and signpost survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence to other relevant voluntary or statutory multi-agency partners.
  • Reflect on own practice and access available supervision and case management support.
  • Maintain own continuous professional development and revise practice based on feedback received.
  • Work within the boundaries of legislation and organisational policies and procedures and apply these to the responsibilities of own role.
  • Establish, develop and manage professional relationships with survivors of sexual violence, setting out the boundaries of the relationship within own area of competence.
  • Recognise the importance of self-care, taking appropriate action when required.
  • Empower survivors to contribute to the co-design of services and provide them with a safe environment to do so.
  • Work within the empowerment model to ensure that the service is client-led and recognises the impact of the victims and or survivors’ experiences of sexual abuse.
  • Provide client-led practical and emotional support to survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence.
  • Act as an institutional advocate for survivors of different forms of sexual abuse.
  • Recognise the impacts of child sexual abuse and or child sexual exploitation on children and or young people and the longer-term impacts of child sexual abuse and or child sexual exploitation on adult survivors.
  • Provide emotional support to survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence experiencing impacts of child sexual abuse and or child sexual exploitation.
  • Promote the empowerment of survivors of sexual abuse to identify barriers to disclosure and work with them to over-come the barriers.
  • Provide services that reflect the specific needs of both children and young people and adult survivors of sexual violence.
  • Assist survivors of sexual violence with the referral processes of external support agencies.
  • Support survivors to access specialist information to raise their awareness of their rights and options.

Behaviours

  • Treat people with dignity and respect.
  • Be caring and compassionate.  
  • Speak up and challenge.
  • Be competent, reliable and committed.
  • Be honest and accountable.
  • Be non-discriminating anti-oppressive and anti-racist.
  • Be survivor-centred.
  • Treat people with dignity and respect.
  • Be caring and compassionate.  
  • Speak up and challenge.
  • Be competent, reliable and committed.
  • Be honest and accountable.
  • Be non-discriminating anti-oppressive and anti-racist.
  • Be survivor-centred.
  • Treat people with dignity and respect.
  • Be caring and compassionate.  
  • Speak up and challenge.
  • Be competent, reliable and committed.
  • Be honest and accountable.
  • Be non-discriminating anti-oppressive and anti-racist.
  • Be survivor-centred.
Apprenticeship category (sector)
Care services
Qualification level
4
Equal to higher national certificate (HNC)
Course duration
18 months
Maximum funding
£8,000
Maximum government funding for
apprenticeship training and assessment costs.
Job titles include
  • Black and minoritised specialist advocacy worker
  • Black and minoritised specialist support worker
  • Children and young people's domestic violence abuse IDVA support worker
  • Children, young people and families domestic abuse support worker
  • Domestic abuse prevention advocate DAPA
  • Domestic abuse support worker
  • Domestic violence helpline worker
  • Domestic violence outreach community support worker
  • Independent domestic violence adviser IDVA
  • Independent domestic violence advocate IDVA
  • Independent sexual violence adviser ISVA
  • Refuge support worker
  • Specialist ISVA

View more information about Domestic and sexual abuse support worker (level 4) from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.