Domestic Violence and Children: A Handbook for Schools and Early Years Settings »

Abigail Sterne is a former secondary school teacher and year head and is now an educational psychologist in Oldham, UK.

Liz Poole is a former primary school teacher and is now an educational psychologist in Oldham, UK.

What can schools and social care workers do to help children affected by domestic violence?

Large numbers of children are affected by domestic violence. The problem crosses every social class and culture. It causes distress and anxiety in children and adversely affects their learning and play, as well as their behaviour, wellbeing and attendance.

Education staff may know of a child or family in crisis, want to help, yet feel outside their comfort zone, grappling with a complex issue not covered in their training. This book describes the impact of domestic violence on children and provides support for education and social care professionals. It takes heavy workloads into account and suggests practical ways of meeting the needs of pupils who come from difficult home backgrounds.

The authors provide guidance and advice on:

• identifying and responding to signs of distress
• helping pupils to talk about and make sense of their experiences
• the impact on parenting and how parents can be supported
• the needs of young people in refuges and temporary accommodation
• pupil safety and government safeguarding guidelines
• educating young people and the community about domestic violence
• specialist domestic violence services and other agencies that support schools.

Domestic Violence and Children draws on the expertise of a wide range of professionals, including specialist domestic violence children’s workers and counsellors, psychologists, teachers, mentors and family support workers. It provides essential help and information to all children’s service directorates, as well as a range of professionals in education, social care, health and the voluntary sector.

Pt. I The impact of domestic violence on young people and families

1 Introduction and background: children living with domestic violence

2 The impact on babies and young children

3 The impact on school-aged children

4 Families in refuges and temporary accommodation

5 The impact on mothers and on parenting

6 Summary: domestic violence and the 'Every Child Matters' Five Key Outcomes

Pt. 2 Meeting children's needs in schools and early years settings

7 Introduction

8 Engaging and supporting parents

9 Meeting children's needs in early years settings

10 Supporting school-aged children

11 The roles of other professionals

12 Supporting transient pupils and those in refuges and temporary accommodation

13 Safety and confidentiality issues in schools

14 Looking to the future: educating young people and the community

Bibliography

Index