Family violence and child-aware practice – part one

This episode is the first in a two-part series on family and domestic violence and child-aware practice. Tune in to hear experienced family violence practitioners and other leaders in the field discuss the impact of family and domestic violence on children and the mother-child relationship, and some of the practice dilemmas that accompany conversations with mothers about their children’s wellbeing in a context of family violence, and some ways of having conversations with mothers that respond to these dilemmas.

Featuring: Aerinn Morgan, Joanne Allen and Philip Martin from Uniting Communities Specialised Family Violence Service, Sarah Wendt – Professor of Social Work at Flinders University, and Megan Hughes from Women’s Safety Services SA.

In this episode you will learn:

• Recognising the climate of fear is vital to understanding the impact of family and domestic violence on children.
• An understanding the potential impacts of family and domestic violence on children and the mother-child relationship can inform practitioner’s curiosity when working with parents and children.
• Non-blaming conversations with mothers about the effects of violence on their children are vital, challenging as possible.
• Conversations with mothers about their preferred parenting practices can also support child aware practice.

Further information and resources:

e-Learning courses

• The Impact of FDV on the Child: An introduction
• FDV and Child Aware Practice: Principles and Practice

Podcasts

• Family and Domestic Violence and Child Aware Practice Part 2
• Child aware practice in families where there is violence
• Engaging fathers who use violence

Webinars

• Child-focused approaches when working with parents affected by family and domestic violence
• Engaging mothers and children affected by family and domestic violence

Practice Papers

• Child-focused social work practice in the context of family and domestic violence: Understanding the impact of male violence
• Child-focused work with families affected by domestic violence: Skills, values and knowledge requirements for social work students
• Keeping children visible in practice responses to family and domestic violence