Online Peer Training (360G-CR-4908504)

COVID19 -We want to ensure that, in moving our current peer training online, women with learning disabilities and/or autism can still access training and support to disclose ongoing or historic abuse, and that these disclosures will be handled sensitively and efficiently.In doing so we will be developing the skills of our peer education team and empowering them as online trainers; ensuring peer education can continue in the best way currently available. ?Us Too? peer educators are enthusiastic about developing online learning, but have told us that they lack the expertise and resources to do this.Owing to the current crisis, we need to adapt our training for online delivery in a way that is both effective and safe for women with learning disabilities and/or autism, continuing to keep them safe from domestic abuse. However, moving our training online poses significant challenges. Our peer training to date has often resulted in disclosures of abuse. It is critical that online training can be offered in a way that does not suppress disclosures, and ensures that learners are supported by staff who are trained and competent in enabling learning and processing disclosures when necessary. In face-to-face training situations the training team is skilled in giving permission for disclosures, offering immediate support, processing disclosures and following up. Our concern is that, in moving our training online, we would be delegating this task and responsibility to care staff who may lack the skill set to manage disclosures. We want to:- Consult with the project peer education team to ensure that project developments are guided by women with learned experience and will meet the needs of girls/women with learning disabilities and/or autism.- Work with a research partner (RIPFA: researchinpractice.org.uk)who will explore the issues and make recommendations for positive training delivery that keeps women safe and supports disclosure as we move to online delivery.- In partnership with RIPFA, develop protocols for social care organisations and carers on how to support women completing online training on sensitive issues.- Provide the technology that will enable the peer trainers to deliver their training online (latops/tablets, wifi access, licensing for a training platform.- Upskill the peer trainers to use this technology professionally and safely, so that they do not endanger themselves.- Provide external supervision for the training team from an expert counsellor.- Train 24 social care staff to support women with learning disabilities/autism undertake domestic abuse training.- Pilot an online domestic abuse workshop with women with learning disabilities/autism. - Gather the learning, and disseminate the protocols and learning materials free of charge throughout our networks.In doing this we will be meeting the stated funding criteria of working with a vulnerable group and meeting an unmet need.