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Domestic Abuse

Asked by Anneliese DoddsLabour (Co-op)Department of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 8 July 2025UIN 62263

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many and what proportion of training (a) modules and (b) courses on domestic abuse undertaken by frontline staff were (i) standalone and (ii) integrated with other training programmes broken down by discipline of staff.

Answered by Ashley Dalton

Health professionals are trained to identify and respond to domestic abuse using blended learning methods including e-learning, in-person training, and supervision.

It is the responsibility of the employer to ensure that staff complete mandatory safeguarding training, which includes a focus on domestic abuse. Level 1 mandatory safeguarding training for all staff is captured on the Electronic Staff Record (ESR). Each National Health Service provider holds its own ESR data which is not collated nationally, and therefore the Department does not hold the information requested. Staff will undertake further domestic abuse training relevant to their role.

National mandatory safeguarding training for all NHS staff is being strengthened for launch in early 2026. This will reinforce the safeguarding responsibilities of staff and will support them in identifying and responding to victims of abuse.

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