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I agree, and the other part not talked about enough is parental abuse by a child. This needs to be more talked about, the impact on the parents making decisions to protect their other children fighting a system designed to protect, yet it still isn’t talked about enough and where is the support for those kids living in the aftermath of a child abusing the household. It still and does happen! So it’s not a child it is not an adult, it can be anyone! Let’s get that clear……

Thank you for your recognition into those who truly have insight and understanding into abuse and DV. Could I add it would also benefit from social workers and child protection taking the blame of the victim and placing it on the abuser. This has been what my daughter experienced and it was heartbreaking to witness as I took had been subjected to Abuse and DV. There is not enough support outside the family from external services that help eliviate the impact the trauma has caused from abuse and DV. 😊

Hi Lisa, I agree and it would benefit services to work with grandparents too. Those who have experienced DV have a greater insight and experience to be able to express and recognise subtle signs and indicators of DV and abuse. It would be good if those who have fled or removed themselves from these situations could work alongside social workers and child protection agencies as they would be a valuable addition.

I am aware of a child who suffered sexual abuse from a family member, and the response of the parents, a doctor and his wife, was to cover up the abuse by taking total control of the boy for years.
As the father was a consultant surgeon no one ever questioned the odd circumstances.
Even now he has struggled to get the correct help from social services.

For example the police will have information the social worker may not be aware of and or have access to.Other services such as education,health and support services will have information often nursery’s and other services may have knowledge of the families before social services,this gives the social worker more information inorder to reflect and analyse all the information.

Domestic abuse is complex even down to the manner in which the abuser interacts with the professional( this should be taken into account when completing assessments) When speaking with the abused and or abusive parent conversations can trigger emotional reactions which could be anger or tearfulness with either parent.This should tell you how emotive and complex the situation is.Should it not therefore how you approach the child/parent is important.

From my own experiences you are not given the time to explore and gather information. You can be given a high case load of families where domestic abuse is taking place,you can be allocated case’s to complete a pre-birth assessment with only a couple of weeks before the delivery dispite awareness serval months prior.

To point this out leaves you being given your notice.Should the manager not ensure this does not happen instead of making the social worker the problem?

Should managers not support and speak up more for the social worker they claime to support?

Leaving it to the social worker to gain experience is not good professional practice.

These are my experiences.

Trauma informed practice was highlighted in a government sponsored report in 2019 as vital. Very little has been done, as is very evident from the training I do with social workers, inclusion officers and teachers.
Communication is at the heart of success in this area, both working with children and adults who have experienced DV.
Remembering that a child witnessing this will add one to their ACEs score.
Then “statistically” it is likely that the adult also has an ACEs score.
Finally please remember communication is not just about communicating with you clients but understanding what that are communicating to you. Sadly this rarely fits into a statistic or tick box