For employers, HR teams and people managers
Domestic Abuse Champion Training for Workplaces
One trained person could make all the difference.
Domestic abuse does not stop when someone arrives at work. Behind everyday conversations, meetings and emails, a colleague could be experiencing abuse without anyone realising.
Jump Up provides workplace domestic abuse training that helps employers prepare a nominated member of staff to recognise possible warning signs, respond with care and connect colleagues to appropriate support.
Our Workplace Domestic Abuse Champion Programme gives HR teams, managers and chosen employees practical knowledge to help create a more informed, compassionate and supportive workplace.
Our aim is simple: to help every workplace have at least one trained Domestic Abuse Champion.
Programme information reviewed by the Jump Up training team.
One trained person.
One safe conversation.
One step towards changing a life.
Why domestic abuse is a workplace issue
Domestic abuse can affect anyone, regardless of gender, job title, age or background. It can involve coercive control, emotional or psychological abuse, financial control, threats, physical violence or other forms of harm. Its effects can follow someone to work, affecting their wellbeing, confidence, attendance, concentration and sense of safety.
A workplace may be one of the few places where a person has some independence from an abusive situation. Employers and colleagues can play a valuable role by noticing concerns, responding sensitively and ensuring that specialist support is accessible.
The question for every employer is not whether domestic abuse matters at work. It is whether someone in the organisation knows how to respond safely.
The Office for National Statistics estimated that 3.8 million people aged 16 and over experienced domestic abuse in England and Wales in the year ending March 2025. This is a population estimate, not a workplace rate.
Source: Office for National Statistics, Domestic abuse in England and Wales overview, year ending March 2025.
What is a Workplace Domestic Abuse Champion?
A Workplace Domestic Abuse Champion is a nominated employee who has received training to recognise potential concerns, listen appropriately and help colleagues find professional support.
A Champion is not expected to be a therapist, investigate an allegation, diagnose abuse or make decisions for someone else. Their role is to be an approachable first point of contact, understand the boundaries of that role and follow the organisation’s agreed reporting and safeguarding procedures.
For a smaller organisation, that might mean one trained person. Larger businesses may benefit from several Champions across departments, locations or working patterns.
Our approach: Spot. Support. Signpost.
Spot. Recognise potential signs.
Understand how domestic abuse can present, including coercive control, isolation, economic abuse, intimidation and monitoring. Explore changes in behaviour or workplace patterns that could indicate someone needs support, while recognising that no single sign proves abuse.
Support. Respond with confidence and care.
Learn to create the opportunity for a safe conversation, listen without judgement and avoid putting pressure on someone to disclose information or leave a relationship. Understand privacy, consent, professional boundaries and when concerns need to be escalated for safety reasons.
Signpost. Know where to turn next.
Know how to connect a colleague with appropriate internal contacts and external specialist domestic abuse services. Learn the importance of safe communication, agreed referral routes and recognising situations that require urgent or safeguarding action.
Spot the possible signs. Support the person. Signpost to the right help.
What does the training cover?
Our practical workplace domestic abuse training is designed around the responsibilities and challenges employers face. Training topics can include:
- Understanding domestic abuse, including coercive control and non-physical forms of abuse.
- Understanding how abuse can affect wellbeing, attendance, concentration and safety.
- Responding appropriately when an employee tells someone about abuse.
- Respecting privacy and consent while understanding the limits of confidentiality.
- Understanding safe signposting to specialist services and workplace support.
- Recognising possible indicators and changes in workplace behaviour.
- Creating safe opportunities for conversations and listening without judgement.
- Knowing what a Champion should and should not do.
- Recognising urgent risk and following appropriate safeguarding and escalation procedures.
- Working alongside HR policies, managers and existing employee wellbeing arrangements.
The emphasis is on real workplace situations, practical understanding and compassionate action. We can discuss the most suitable content and delivery arrangement for your organisation.
Who should become a Domestic Abuse Champion?
A Champion may be a member of the HR team, a people manager, a wellbeing lead, a safeguarding contact or another trusted employee. The most important qualities are empathy, discretion, sound judgement and a willingness to learn.
Champions need a clear role description, an agreed route for raising concerns and support from management. They should never be expected to take responsibility for a colleague’s safety alone.
We recommend that employers consider the size, structure and working patterns of their organisation when deciding how many people to nominate.
What are the benefits for HR teams and employers?
A trained point of contact can help employers move beyond awareness towards a clearer, more practical response. Workplace Champion training can help your organisation:
- Give staff an identifiable person they can approach with concerns.
- Support managers and HR teams with clearer signposting and escalation routes.
- Complement workplace domestic abuse policies and existing safeguarding arrangements.
- Improve confidence in recognising and responding to possible domestic abuse.
- Strengthen a culture of care, respect and employee wellbeing.
- Demonstrate a meaningful commitment to supporting employees affected by abuse.
Training is one part of a wider workplace response. It should sit alongside suitable policies, leadership support and access to specialist services.
Practical training for your organisation
Whether you are a small business, a growing company or a larger employer with several teams, Jump Up can discuss training that reflects your workforce and your objectives.
We can explore training for one nominated Champion, groups of Champions or a wider programme that includes awareness sessions for HR teams and managers. Delivery at your workplace can be discussed, with arrangements agreed in advance.
Jump Up is based in Kent and welcomes enquiries from organisations in Kent and elsewhere in the UK.
Training fees and arrangements: Please contact us for a quotation based on the number of participants, location and requirements of your organisation.
Why choose Jump Up?
Jump Up was founded by Lisa Holley Palmer, whose own experience of domestic abuse and rebuilding her life inspired her to create compassionate support for others.
Our team includes qualified coaches and therapists, alongside practitioners with experience supporting people and families affected by domestic abuse. We bring together lived experience, professional knowledge and an understanding of the importance of safe, respectful responses.
At Jump Up, we know that the first conversation can matter. Our training is designed to help workplace Champions approach that conversation with sensitivity, confidence and appropriate boundaries.
By commissioning training from Jump Up, your organisation can also support the wider work of a community organisation helping people move forward after domestic abuse.
Help make your workplace a place where people know they can ask for support
One workplace. One Champion. The potential to change a life.
Talk to Jump Up about training a Domestic Abuse Champion within your organisation. We will discuss your team, your existing support arrangements and the most suitable next steps.
For HR directors, business owners, people teams and managers.
Email: info@jump-up.uk
Form link: https://jump-up.uk/contact-us/
Frequently asked questions
It is training that helps employers and nominated staff understand domestic abuse, recognise possible signs, respond safely to concerns and signpost colleagues to appropriate support. The Jump Up programme focuses on the practical role of a Workplace Domestic Abuse Champion.
A Champion acts as a trained first point of contact. They listen, offer appropriate support, understand their boundaries and help a colleague access specialist services or workplace support. They do not investigate disclosures or replace trained domestic abuse professionals.
HR professionals, people managers, safeguarding contacts, wellbeing leads and other trusted employees can be suitable. Employers should nominate people who will have management support and clear procedures to follow.
One trained person can be a useful starting point. Larger organisations, shift-based teams and businesses operating across multiple sites may benefit from several Champions so that support is accessible.
Please contact us to discuss training at your premises. We will review the location, number of participants and appropriate arrangements before confirming a proposal.
Training is quoted according to your organisation’s needs, including participant numbers, location and the training requested. Contact Jump Up for a tailored quotation.
No. A Champion works alongside HR, managers, safeguarding procedures and existing workplace policies. Training supports a wider organisational response and does not replace specialist advice or crisis services.
The Champion should listen without judgement, avoid making promises of absolute confidentiality, consider whether the conversation is safe and follow the agreed workplace and safeguarding procedures. Where appropriate, the employee should be offered information about specialist support. Urgent danger requires emergency action.
Yes. Domestic abuse awareness can form part of an organisation’s broader approach to employee wellbeing, safeguarding and responsible people management. A training session should be supported by clear internal arrangements.
Training can include how domestic abuse may affect remote and hybrid workers, as well as the importance of safe communication and careful handling of information.
Important support information
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999. For confidential domestic abuse support for women, contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge, on 0808 2000 247, available 24 hours a day. Other specialist services are available for men and people of all backgrounds.
Workplace Domestic Abuse Champions provide an initial point of contact and signposting. They are not a substitute for emergency services, specialist domestic abuse support, HR procedures or professional safeguarding advice.