Teacher Training

Building skills in safeguarding and response

In the UK, 1 in 5 teenagers will experience physical abuse (NSPCC, 2016) and many are also impacted by domestic abuse and sexual violence.

The reported effects on teenagers include reduced self-esteem and confidence, a higher likelihood of experiencing mental health issues, poor school attendance, and lack of ability to concentrate in class (Women and Equalities Committee, 2017). 

It’s hard to imagine how facing problems like these wouldn’t have an impact on a young person’s prospects, as grades and ability to develop healthy social skills are likely to be affected. 

To accompany our schools programmes, we offer Twilights – a suite of 60 – 90 minute training sessions. These sessions explore the complex issues around teenage relationships, domestic violence and abuse, enabling key school staff to better safeguard young people.

Accessible to all, the courses are delivered in an engaging and easy-to-follow format.

Bespoke sessions are also available for inset days.

Download our Twilights brochure

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Toolkits

View our selection of aids for teachers and professionals working with children and young people.

What are Twilights?

Twilights are a suite of 60 – 90 minute training sessions for professionals, particularly those in an educational setting, or those working elsewhere with children and young people
The sessions explore key issues surrounding abuse and relationships, enabling professionals to more keenly identify when children and young people they work with might be at risk, equipping them with the insight and knowledge to take preventative measures and aid survivors in gaining the support they need
The sessions can be delivered in your work setting or online for convenience and accessibility
Sessions can be delivered as interactive sessions, or in presentation format
The content is suitable for groups of 5 or more.

Why are Twilights important?

Teachers are in a unique position to identify signs of domestic abuse and support pupils who may be experiencing it. Teachers who are trained to spot the signs of domestic abuse can intervene early and provide the right support.

Academic performance: school attendance and behaviour can be improved
Education: teachers can educate students about healthy relationships and boundaries and provide them with positive role models. By identifying and addressing domestic abuse, teachers contribute to creating a safer and healthier environment for their students
Preventing further harm: early intervention can help break the cycle of abuse
16-19 year olds are more at risk of experiencing domestic abuse in intimate relationships. A report by SafeLives (2017) explains ‘Young people experience a complex transition from childhood to adulthood. This transition impacts on the social, emotional, psychological, physical and biological development of the young person. As a result, young people who experience domestic abuse do so at a particularly vulnerable point in their lives.

The Twilight Suite

Domestic Abuse Awareness

Did you know… 

In Nottingham, 1 in 5 primary school children are known to DART (Domestic Abuse, Recovering Together, NSPCC, 2017) 

Learning outcomes: 

Increase practitioners’ understanding and knowledge of domestic violence and abuse, and its impacts on children and young people 
Enable practitioners to provide better support to children and young people; this will include thorough safety planning, resilience building, exploring coping strategies and protective factors 
Provide workers with practical tools they can utilise with children and young people who have lived with or are living with domestic violence and abuse 
Increase workers’ understanding of appropriate referral pathways and signposting

Domestic Abuse in Teenage Intimate Relationships

Did you know… 

1 in 4 teenage girls has experienced physical abuse from their partner (NSPCC, 2009) 

Learning outcomes: 

Understand the dynamics of domestic abuse within teenage intimate relationships 
Understand the barriers to young people disclosing and accessing support for domestic abuse in their own relationships 
Improve skills to enable young people to disclose their experience of domestic abuse and to explore this with them 
Improve awareness of the young people’s DASH RIC as a tool to keep young people safe 
Increase confidence in using the young people’s DASH RIC

Online Safety

Did You Know…

78% of children join social media sites before the age they’re allowed to (IWF, 2016)

Learning outcomes:

Exploring young people’s online behaviour
Considering risk and vulnerability
How to keep safe online, build digital fluency and resilience
What are young people doing online?
Considering risk and vulnerability
Keeping safe online and digital resilience
Looking at appropriate support services

Youth Produced Sexual Imagery (Sexting)

Did you know…

There has been a 417% increase in images and videos of child sex abuse since 2013 (IWF, 2016)

Learning outcomes:

Understand what youth-produced imagery and sexting is and how it is defined by young people
Learn how widespread the sending and receiving of sexual images is among young people
Understand the law around youth-produced imagery and sexting
Increase understanding of the reasons and consequences
Apply learning to case studies
How to take disclosures and support service

Sexual Harassment in a School Setting

Did You Know…

1 in 3 16-18 year old girls say they have experienced unwanted sexual touching at school. (#MeTooat School, 2021)

Learning outcomes:

Increased understanding of sexual harassment
Increased awareness of how common and normalised sexual harassment is in society
Understand barriers young people face when disclosing
To recognise of the impact of sexual harassment on young people
To be able to respond appropriately to the needs of young people affected
An understanding of how to address sexual harassment in an effective way

Consent

Did you know…

5,500 Sexual offences were recorded in UK schools over 3 years (Women and Equalities Committee, Sexual harassment and sexual violence in schools, 2017)

Learning outcomes:

Define what consent means
Explore common myths about consent and sexual violence
Focus on capacity to consent and contextualising consent
Understand social models of consent
Identify situations that make consent difficult to recognise
Examine professional barriers to disclosure about sexual violence
How to support young people

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

Did you know…

There were 849 newly identified individuals with FGM within the Midlands and East area between September 2014 and March 2015 (Health Scrutiny Committee report, Dec 2015)

Learning outcomes:

Explore what female genital mutilation (FGM) is
Understand the prevalence of FGM, including looking at potentially affected communities
Gain insight into the impact of FGM
Examine current legislation
Consider the role of schools and other professionals in preventing FGM
Raise awareness of the multi-agency statutory guidance on FGM
Inform delegates of appropriate referral pathways and help available

Forced Marriage and Honour Based Abuse

Did you know…

In 2015, Nottinghamshire ranked 8th for the number of calls received by Karma Nirvana’s helpline (Karma Nirvana, 2016)

Learning outcomes:

To explore what is meant by the terms ‘honour based abuse’ (HBA) and ‘forced marriage’ (FM)
To raise awareness of communities where HBA and FM are prevalent
To examine current legislation
To gain an understanding of the effects of HBA and FM
To inform delegates of appropriate referral pathways and help available