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Nine members of staff at Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service have been trained as ‘Domestic Abuse Workplace Champions,’ providing the skills and knowledge to support their colleagues.
The training, which is provided by the commissioned New Era domestic abuse service in conjunction with the Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce, helps organisations develop the knowledge to support staff who might be affected by domestic abuse by signposting victims to specialist support services, as well as those wishing to change unhealthy behaviours.
“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.”
Ben Adams, Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire & Rescue and Crime.
New Era offers help to all those affected by domestic abuse 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.
Commissioned through a partnership approach led by the Staffordshire Commissioner in conjunction with Staffordshire County Council and Stoke-on-Trent City Council, New Era ensures a consistent approach across the whole region when people need specialist support.
Carmel Warren is the service’s Prevention and Safeguarding lead. She said that this initiative was one of many ways the service looks to support its staff, adding that work colleagues develop their own relationships and spend a lot of 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.
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