40: Recognising domestic abuse as a child protection issue

In this episode, we discuss the complexities of domestic abuse and why it is a safeguarding and child protection issue. We talk about the main themes that emerged from our learning from case reviews briefing on domestic abuse and share what we see in practice.Exposure to domestic abuse has a direct impact on children and can affect their physical health and mental wellbeing. Just because it isn’t disclosed, does not mean that a child or family you’re working with isn’t experiencing it.Listen to the episode to: gain an insight into the dynamics of domestic abuse (e.g. how abusive relationships work and patterns of abusive behaviour) understand the effects on children and young people, including how their experiences may be minimised and why professional curiosity is important learn about how you can improve your practice around domestic abuse and reduce risks to children. Read the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.This episode was supported by the COVID-19 Support Fund.💬 About the speakersNikki Vasco is a chartered library and information professional and has experience working directly with vulnerable children and young people. She has worked in the NSPCC’s Library and Information Service for five years, developing written content about child protection for NSPCC Learning.Paddi Vint is a Quality and Development Manager overseeing a three year domestic abuse project supported by the COVID-19 Support Fund. She has been with the NSPCC in Belfast for five years, joining as a helpline practitioner and then working as a practice manager.📚 Related resources> Learn more about how you can protect children from domestic abuse> Read our learning from case reviews briefing on domestic abuse> Listen to our episode on how our service helps children recover from domestic abuseIntro/outro music is Lights by Sappheiros