Domestic violence is one indicator of risk of harm to children. Prolonged and/or regular exposure to domestic violence can have a serious impact on a child(ren)’s development and emotional well-being, despite the best efforts of the non-abusing parent to protect the child(ren). This can include seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of others. Children experiencing domestic violence are seen as children in need and a referral to Children’s Social Care must be considered.
Domestic violence episodes can begin or escalate during pregnancy. Domestic violence can pose a threat to an unborn child(ren), because assaults on pregnant women frequently involve punches or kicks directed to the abdomen, risking injury to both mother and unborn child(ren).
The role of the Domestic Violence Advocacy Service
In Cambridgeshire a team of Advocates for high-risk victims of domestic violence work closely with the Police. They offer victims support, including the chance to follow the Freedom Programme, a series of sessions which aim to fortify victims against recurrence of domestic violence, and which can help them to break the cycle of violence. This programme is only appropriate in cases where the perpetrator has left the family home.
The Domestic Violence Advocates play a pivotal role in feeding back relevant information to other agencies, whilst maintaining the confidence and trust of victims and their children.
The role of schools
Children are often the hidden victims of domestic abuse. School staff are in the unique position of having daily contact with children and their parent/carer(s) which provides them with the opportunity to look out for signs which could indicate that domestic abuse might be taking place. The importance of teaching children about the hidden nature of domestic abuse and its unacceptability is widely recognised as an essential way of helping children to seek and then receive appropriate help.
School staff have received information about the impact of domestic abuse on the lives of children in all child protection training delivered by the Education Child Protection Service and by local safeguarding trainers. This has received additional emphasis since "seeing or hearing the ill treatment of another" has been added to the definition of emotional abuse. All staff are clear about the signs to look out for, the procedures for recording concerns in school and passing information to the designated person.
Parent(s)/carer(s) who report domestic abuse to staff in schools should be encouraged to seek help through the Police, Social Care, Advocacy Service or voluntary groups (i.e. Women’s Aid). The Domestic Violence Protocol for Schools contains details of useful contact telephone numbers to give to those who disclose that they are the victims of domestic abuse. It is important to respect the wishes of any parent/carer who does not want to seek any help or support as long as the needs of the child come first.
Child protection
Child protection is the collective name for services aimed at protecting children from any sort of abuse.
Where a child appears to be in danger or at risk of abuse Children & Young People's Services have a legal duty to investigate. If, as a result, social workers still have concerns they will discuss the position with colleagues in the Police, Health Services and Schools. The result might be that they would put the child's name on the Child Protection Register. A plan is made with parents or carers and other agency colleagues to offer support and to protect the child
To report a case of actual or suspected child abuse:
telephone 0345 045 5203 from 8 am to 8 pm Monday to Friday
outside these hours telephone the Emergency Duty Team 01733 234 724 OR
call Cambridgeshire Police on 0345 456 4564 or call 999 in case of emergency OR
call National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) 0808 800 5000
Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB)
LSCBs have been established by the government to ensure that organisations work together to safeguard children and promote their welfare. In Cambridgeshire this includes Social Care Services, Education, Health, the Police, Probation, Sports and Leisure Services, the Voluntary Sector, Youth Offending Team, Connexions, Early Years Services.
The LSCB website is accessible to children and young people, families and communities as well as professionals working with children. To access the latest guidance and information on how to keep children safe from abuse and domestic violence, please follow external link on the right.