Domestic Abuse and Older Victims: Behind Closed Doors – CPD Accredited
Empowering professionals with the skills to identify and challenge abuse of older adults.
There are many ways in which an older person might experience domestic abuse. They may be abused by their spouse or intimate partner, or may fall victim to a family member or adult child seeking to exploit or control them. Regardless of the type, domestic abuse in older age remains largely hidden from view. Long-term relationships marked by control, financial restriction, or violence often continue behind closed doors, dismissed as “just how things are”, or overlooked entirely by professionals who don’t recognise the signs. Older people may be less likely to disclose abuse due to shame, concerns about independence, or fear of losing relationships with family members.
This IDAS training course equips practitioners with the expertise to recognise the hidden patterns of abuse affecting older people, respond with sensitivity, and connect victims with specialist support. By building awareness and capability among professionals, we can ensure that no older person is left unprotected, and that safeguarding responses are tailored to the unique needs and circumstances of abuse in later life.
Course content
This CPD accredited session will build your understanding of the unique forms of abuse and barriers to accessing support faced by older people.
The impact of domestic abuse on older people
- Why domestic abuse in older age is often hidden and underreported
- The prevalence and patterns of abuse affecting older people
- Specific vulnerabilities and risk factors in older age
- How abuse impacts older people’s physical health, mental wellbeing, and independence
- How financial and economic abuse manifests in older relationships and families.
Your professional response matters
- Confidently identify signs of abuse in older people
- Respond sensitively to older people disclosing abuse
- Apply trauma-informed approaches when offering support
- Make professional decisions that respect older people’s autonomy and choices
- Navigate safeguarding adults frameworks alongside your domestic abuse response
- Support older people to remain independent while managing risk.
Interactive learning and practical tools
All IDAS training sessions include opportunities for reflective discussion with your fellow learners, collaborative working and putting your learning into practice.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this half day course, participants will be able to:
Explain the types of domestic abuse faced in older age and why it’s often hidden.
Describe how long-term abuse relationships can escalate in later life or relationships can become abusive over time.
Identify issues unique to older adults (health conditions, mobility, cognitive changes, financial dependency).
Understand processes for safeguarding older people and the legal protections available.
Analyse the barriers to disclosure and help-seeking in older age.
Certification
This course is CPD accredited, enabling participants to demonstrate ongoing professional development while gaining practical knowledge that can be applied immediately within their role. On completion of the course, you will have the opportunity to receive a CPD certificate of completion for your records.
Course dates
Please ensure you are available to attend all guided learning days before booking your place. Attendance at all guided learning sessions is required to successfully complete the course. You will see that independent learning is also scheduled and you will be invited to join a structured lightly guided study day, but this is not compulsary.
Can’t make these dates? None available? Register your interest and we’ll contact you when new dates are released.
Frequently asked questions
Who are these courses suitable for?
Our live training is designed for professionals and volunteers working across a wide range of sectors, including health, social care, education, housing, criminal justice, local authorities, charities and community organisations. Each course page explains who the training is intended for and whether any previous knowledge or experience is recommended.
How is the training delivered?
Most of our courses are delivered live online by experienced IDAS trainers, allowing you to learn from wherever you are. We also offer face-to-face training and bespoke sessions for organisations. The course page will confirm how your chosen course is delivered.
Is the training live or self-paced
Our scheduled courses are delivered live, giving you the opportunity to learn alongside other professionals, ask questions and take part in discussions. We also offer a growing range of on-demand resources through our Learning Hub and Resources section.
Will I be able to ask questions?
Yes. Our training is designed to be interactive, and there will be opportunities to ask questions, contribute to discussions and learn from real-life examples shared by our experienced trainers.
Will I receive a certificate?
Yes. Participants who attend the course will receive a certificate of attendance after the training has been completed.
Is the training accredited?
Many of our courses are CPD accredited. Where this applies, it will be clearly stated on the individual course page, together with the number of CPD hours awarded.
What do I need to take part in an online course?
You’ll need a reliable internet connection and a computer, laptop or tablet with speakers. A webcam and microphone are recommended so you can fully participate in discussions, although requirements may vary depending on the course.
How do I book a place?
Simply choose one of the upcoming course dates and complete the online booking process. If there are no suitable dates available, you can register your interest and we’ll let you know when new dates are released.
Can my organisation book several places?
Absolutely. Many organisations book training for teams of staff. Simply select the number of places you require during booking, or contact us if you’d like to discuss larger group bookings.
What if there aren't any dates available?
If a course isn’t currently scheduled, you can register your interest by following the link under the Course dates list. We’ll contact you when new dates become available.
Do you offer bespoke training?
Yes. We regularly work with organisations to deliver tailored domestic abuse training that reflects their sector, workforce and learning objectives. If you’re looking for training for your team or organisation, please take a look at our bespoke training page.
Where can I find more training resources?
Alongside our live training, we provide a growing collection of articles, videos, downloadable resources and best practice guidance through our Learning Hub and Resources section, helping you continue your professional development long after your course has finished.
Related e-learning courses
If you’d like to explore this subject in more depth, these self-paced online courses cover related topics that complement this training.
Related live training
These live, trainer-led courses explore related themes and are recommended to broaden and strengthen your understanding of the topics covered in this training.
There are no upcoming training events.
There are no upcoming training events.
Related resources
Explore related articles, videos and resources from IDAS and other trusted organisations to deepen your understanding of the topics covered in this training.
