Professional Training
Delivered by Ahimsa — Plymouth's Respect-accredited domestic abuse behaviour change service
Ahimsa delivers specialist training for frontline professionals working with people who cause harm in their relationships. Drawing on over 35 years of practice, our training is grounded in what works — developed by practitioners who deliver this work every day.
100% of participants say they found our training useful and would recommend it to others.
Funded Training for Plymouth Professionals
Who this training is for
This training is for professionals based in Plymouth who work with perpetrators of domestic abuse as part of their role. You don't need to be a specialist DA worker — if you encounter people causing harm in your day-to-day work, this training is for you.
That includes probation, substance use services, housing and homelessness, social care, safeguarding, family support, community safety, NHS and many more.
All sessions are currently funded by Plymouth City Council and are free to attend for eligible Plymouth-based professionals.
Engaging and Working with Domestic Abuse Perpetrators (3 hours)
For any Plymouth professional who encounters people causing harm in their role. This half-day session equips you with the knowledge and practical skills to engage more effectively — gathering information, understanding perpetrator behaviour, and where appropriate applying basic cognitive tools of self-management and safety. Delivered in small groups for maximum impact.
This training is underpinned by a commitment to preventing domestic abuse — equipping your workforce to play a meaningful role in reducing harm and cultivating the possibility of safer, more loving relationships.
Upcoming dates available on Eventbrite — link below.
Understanding and Responding to Harmful Behaviour in Young People (16-25) (3 hours)
For Plymouth professionals working with young people aged 16–25 who are displaying harmful behaviour in relationships or towards family members.
This session is designed for workers across youth services, education, social care, health, youth justice and community settings who are already working with this age group and want to feel better equipped to have meaningful conversations about relationships and behaviour.
The training draws on Ahimsa Youth Service's approach, which meets young people where they are and builds skills for respectful, healthy relationships.
Upcoming dates will be added shortly.
Understanding High Risk High Harm Perpetrator Behaviour (60 minutes, online)
A case study-based session exploring high-risk, high-harm perpetrator work in practice.
This case study-based session walks you through how domestic abuse perpetrators present, how risk escalates, and how behaviour change practitioners respond to high-harm situations.
You'll see perpetrator work in practice - The session has been presented at various conferences and receives excellent feedback from professionals who say it changed their understanding of behaviour change work.
Designed for anyone who encounters perpetrators in their work and wants to understand what effective intervention looks like.
Reflective Practice — Community of Practice
Monthly sessions for Plymouth practitioners who work with people causing harm and need space to reflect, problem-solve, and strengthen their practice. Open drop-in format — no prior training required. Just bring what's live for you. First Thursday of each month, 10:00–11:30am Dates: 7 May, 4 June, 2 July, 6 August, 3 September, 1 October 2026
For practitioners across statutory and VCSE sectors in Plymouth
Champions Programme - Working With Perpetrators
A specialist development programme for Plymouth practitioners working directly with people causing harm. One full-day launch session followed by six monthly sessions building cumulative expertise across: responsibility and motivation, power and control, shame and guilt, interventions, complex cases, and consolidation. Nomination process — maximum ten practitioners per cohort.
What participants say
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"Most definitely the most valuable training I have been on."
Training delegate - 2025
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"The team seem really passionate and knowledgeable. I feel like if I needed to reach out to them for advice or a case discussion, I would be met with really skilled, approachable workers."
Training delegate - 2026
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"The emphasis on working with perpetrators from a humanistic approach — not one of an admonishing nature — is one that most if not all professionals need to be reminded of regularly. This really stood out for me and I will work hard to move forward with it in practice."
Training delegate - 2026
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"Both trainers were great and really responsive to group sharing. Never felt rushed. Information was given in real world examples, in a practical manner that makes it easier to take into your own role."
Training delegate - 2026
Your facilitators
Our training is delivered by Ahimsa's specialist practitioners, each with years of hands-on experience in this field.
Paul Wolf-Light delivers our introductory and specialist sessions. Paul has been working with men who cause harm since 1992 — his practice is the foundation of Ahimsa's training offer.
Lynn McKenzie delivers our youth-focused training, drawing on her experience leading Ahimsa's Youth Service and working with young people displaying harmful behaviour.
Sally Nickells, Case Manager and Safeguarding Lead, facilitates our monthly Reflective Practice sessions and bespoke training. Sally brings over a decade of domestic abuse perpetrator work experience, including managing multiple Respect-accredited perpetrator services and leading teams through the accreditation process.
Bespoke training for your organisation
We offer bespoke training tailored to your team's needs — delivered online or in person. Whether you're looking for an introduction to perpetrator engagement, a deeper skills programme, or ongoing reflective practice support for your workforce, we'd love to hear from you.
Get in touch to discuss what's right for your organisation.
Call: 01752 213535
Email: enquiries@ahimsa.org.uk
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes — all sessions listed on this page are fully funded by Plymouth City Council until March 2027 and free to attend for Plymouth-based professionals.
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Yes. These sessions are designed for professionals across a wide range of roles who encounter people causing harm as part of their work — you don't need a background in domestic abuse to attend.
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If you're interested in bespoke training for your organisation or team, please get in touch directly — we'd love to hear from you.
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The sessions listed on this page are funded for Plymouth-based professionals. However, we offer bespoke training online to organisations and teams outside Plymouth. Get in touch to discuss what we can offer.
Call Us
01752 213535
Want to speak to someone about the training we offer? Get in touch for an informal discussion
