Nine members of staff at Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service have been trained as ‘Domestic Abuse Workplace Champions’.
The training, which is provided by the commissioned New Era DA service in conjunction with the Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce, helps organisations develop the knowledge to support staff who might be affected by DA by signposting victims to specialist support services, as well as those wishing to change unhealthy behaviours.
Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire & Rescue and Crime Ben Adams said: “Supporting those affected by domestic abuse is an investment in the wellbeing of employees in the workplace, and I’m delighted that staff within Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service now have the skills and knowledge to support their colleagues.
“Through the training, employers can take action so that staff who are experiencing abuse can feel safe and supported in the workplace, and I would encourage any organisation to contact New Era to create their own Workplace Champions.”
Staffordshire Fire & Rescue’s Prevention and Safeguarding Lead Carmel Warren said: “We’re always looking at new ways we can best support our staff, and this is another example of that.
“Work colleagues develop their own relationships and spend a large proportion of their time together, so training like this is vital in making sure the right people can provide the right support to those who might be struggling with domestic abuse.”
New Era offers help to all those affected by DA across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, providing free, confidential support for adult and child victims, perpetrators and their families, as well as businesses, communities and professionals.
New Era is commissioned under a partnership approach led by the Staffordshire Commissioner in conjunction with Staffordshire County Council and Stoke-on-Trent City Council and ensures a consistent approach across the whole region when people need specialist support.
New Era’s Operations Manager Vicki Birks said: “The social and economic cost of domestic abuse is currently estimated to be £78 billion*. By having Workplace Champions in place, this will help towards protecting employee wellbeing, increasing productivity and reducing sickness and absence in the long run.
“New Era have worked hard to achieve CPD accreditation for the Workplace Champions training, which ensures employees receive recognition for their dedication and willingness to take on this important role.
“It’s important that domestic abuse is talked about and embedded into workplace policy and the Workplace Champions training offers the opportunity to work with other agencies, sharing good practice and benefiting from peer support.”
Any businesses interested in the Workplace Champions programme should email new-era.training@victimsupport.org.uk
For enquiries about New Era victim services call 0300 303 3778 (24 hours). For enquiries about New Era perpetrator services call 0300 373 5772 (Monday to Friday, normal office hours).