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Safeguarding

Identifying and Responding to Signs that a Child is Living with Domestic Abuse

Notice when a child may be living with domestic abuse, and know what to do next and what not to do.

  • 19 minutes
  • 7 modules
  • 0.5 CPD hours
  • Certificate

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What you'll learn

  • Recognise forms of domestic abuse beyond violence, including coercive control
  • Spot signs in school that a child may be living with domestic abuse
  • Explain why domestic abuse can point to other risks for a child
  • Respond to a disclosure from a child or a parent, then pass it on
  • Report concerns to your safeguarding lead without waiting for a child to tell you

About this course

At least one child in every Reception class has lived with domestic abuse all their life, according to an estimate this course quotes. Some of them will be in your school, and most won't tell you.

You'll learn what domestic abuse includes beyond violence, such as coercive control, financial abuse and checking someone's phone. Then there are the signs a child living with it may show: exhaustion, nightmares, headaches, not wanting to go home, lashing out or going very quiet. You'll also see why it so often sits alongside parental substance misuse and mental ill health, and what that can mean for a child's safety.

The course is clear about what to do next. Don't ring home to ask about it, because the child is unlikely to be the only person being hurt. Don't wait for a disclosure either. Pass what you've noticed to your designated safeguarding lead straight away.

  • For early career teachers, middle leaders and 4 other roles. All phases.

7 modules

Open in order

  1. Introduction

    2 min

  2. What is domestic abuse?

    5 min

  3. How prevalent is domestic abuse in the UK?

    3 min

  4. What are the impacts of domestic abuse on children?

    3 min

  5. What are the signs and symptoms that a child might be living in a domestically violent home?

    4 min

  6. What should you do if you think a child is living with domestic abuse?

    3 min

  7. Wrap up

    2 min