55: Domestic abuse support in the workplace

Witnessing or experiencing domestic abuse can have a detrimental effect on a child's mental, physical and economic wellbeing. By recognising when an employee or colleague is experiencing domestic abuse, professionals working in any sector can help keep children safe.In this podcast episode, domestic abuse experts from the NSPCC Helpline discuss what you can do to support and safeguard colleagues who experience domestic abuse.The discussion covered: why a workplace domestic abuse policy is good practice to support non-abusing parents and their children what should be included in a workplace domestic abuse policy the potential indicators of domestic abuse the barriers that people may experience when they take steps to speak to their employer about domestic abuse what managers can do to support colleagues experiencing domestic abuse or other safeguarding concerns. You can read this episode’s transcript on the NSPCC Learning website. 💬 About the speakersPaddi 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.Sarah Clarke is a Domestic Abuse Practice Advisor with a background as an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) specialising in high risk and complex needs within refuge.Emily Harrison is a Domestic Abuse Practice Advisor with a background as an IDVA specialising in high risk and complex needs within police services.Joanne Walsh is a Domestic Abuse Practice Advisor with a background as a senior family support worker and local authority domestic abuse champion.📚 Related resources> Learn more about domestic abuse> Read our learning from case reviews briefing on domestic abuse> Listen to our podcast episode about why domestic abuse is a child protection issue> Listen to our podcast episode about the NSPCC Helpline's Domestic Abuse Practice AdvisorsIntro/outro music is Lights by Sappheiros