Forward launches its first Domestic Abuse Strategy
The ‘Supporting our staff: Domestic Abuse Strategy Launch Event’ took place on 24th November at St John’s Centre, London, with over 100 staff in attendance.
What began as an initiative by the Women’s Employee Resource Group (ERG) in response to staff feedback, has now developed into a comprehensive strategy that includes everything from promoting awareness of domestic abuse and its impacts, to recognising the signs of domestic abuse and advice on how to support a colleague who is experiencing domestic abuse.
The launch event provided a welcome opportunity for staff across the organisation to meet-up in person to support the strategy launch, finding out more about training opportunities, learn from national domestic abuse services and also to engage in a number of facilitator-led workshop activities.
The agenda was also a platform for inspirational speakers, including leaders from domestic abuse charities and domestic abuse survivors.
Forward Trust CEO, Mike Trace, said
“We’re delighted to launch our first Domestic Abuse Strategy to fully support staff working across our organisation to spot the signs, identify training opportunities and hear from survivors that have been gracious enough to share their stories with our team.
“Domestic abuse can potentially impact deeply on our clients, staff or volunteers. I want victims to feel that they can turn to Forward Trust for safety and support, and that this strategy can develop practical ways for us to provide such safety and support.”
This is the first time Forward has developed a dedicated Domestic Abuse Strategy, and this will initially focus on staff, before widening to include service users.
This comprehensive strategy includes everything from promoting awareness of domestic abuse and how it impacts staff, to training on how to spot the signs that someone is in a potential domestic abuse situation, as well as advice and guidance on how to support a colleague who may be experiencing it. It will also include a network of organisational champions, as well as a standalone Domestic Abuse policy and processes.
Caroline Scott, Director of Governance & Quality Assurance and Caldicott Guardian at The Forward Trust, said:
“Having worked within drug treatment services for over 15 years, it gives me huge pride to be part of an organisation spearheading a strategy to support their staff who may have experienced or be experiencing domestic abuse.
Quite often in our job roles our focus is on our clients and their support needs, but Forward Trust recognises the significant risks that domestic abuse can pose for our staff.
As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, I am committed to this strategy and working with my colleagues to provide a supportive and responsive scheme that staff can feel confident in.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse you can find out more information on the GOV.UK website:
Domestic abuse: how to get help – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
The agenda for the day
11:30-11:45 Welcome & launch statement – (CEO, Mike Trace)
11:45–12:00 Introduction to Refuge
12:00–12:45 Panel discussion on ideas for developing FT’s DA strategy – Refuge & FT representatives
12.45–13.00 Break
13.00-13.30 Survivor story share
13:30-13.45 Domestic Abuse and Structural Inequalities (Head of Equality Diversity and Improvement)
13.45-14.00 Dads Unlimited presentation (Head of Probation Services)
14.00-14.30 Lunch/networking break
14.30-15.30 Guided Breathwork Session
