Abstract

Domestic violence has a serious impact on children and families but some of the harm can be minimised by providing parents with effective guidance on developing safe, protective and positive ways of caring for their children in the aftermath of a violent relationship.

This practical guide provides techniques and exercises to help practitioners work in a structured and focused way with parents after domestic violence has occurred. It sets out a framework for assessing risks and needs, and covers how to build strengths, set goals, and plan an intervention pathway. Advice, exercises and handouts that are easily photocopied will help parents understand the impact of domestic violence and develop their relationship with their child. The resource also covers how to use discipline, talking to children, understanding child development, and how to build resilience and empathy. Guidance on working with both the perpetrator and the victim of domestic violence is included.

This invaluable resource will benefit child and family social workers, children's centre workers, therapists, counsellors and anyone supporting a family recovering from the trauma of domestic violence.

Kate Iwi is Young People's Services Officer for RESPECT, UK. As well as working with perpetrators of domestic violence both individually and in groups, Kate has facilitated fathering groups, linked women’s support groups and undertaken therapeutic work with children. Chris Newman is a practice supervisor and consultant to organisations working with perpetrators of domestic violence. Chris worked as a research psychologist before moving on to specialise in violence prevention and parenting work with those who have used violence in the family. Kate and Chris also run their own training company, Partner Abuse Consultancy and Training.