Domestic abuse affects many children and families across society. It is estimated that approximately 5 children in every classroom will witness domestic abuse by the time they reach adulthood. The training will support participants to understand the complex nature of domestic abuse and how to develop safe, effective and trauma-informed responses to safeguard children and families.

Target Group Headteachers, deputy headteachers, designated safeguarding leads and deputies, pastoral staff and all frontline professionals working with children and families.  

Course Content

Course content will include:  

• Understand what domestic abuse is, how it can be perpetrated, and the signs and indicators practitioners should be alert to
• Explore the complexities of domestic abuse, including the dynamics within power and control and the cycle of abuse
• Consider the impact of the trauma related to domestic abuse and how to support children to heal from it
• Overview of the legislation and guidance in relation to domestic abuse and the measures that can be taken to protect victims and survivors
• Share learning from serious case reviews and latest research to understand risk and inform effective safety planning, using non victim blaming language and approaches

Trainer Information

Kerry's passion for making a difference has been at the heart of her career. Working with some of the most vulnerable children, Kerry formed part of a multi-agency team for looked after children and teenage parents before becoming a service manager within an inner-city local authority. Kerry was the Education representative at the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) for the quality assurance of recommendations of serious case reviews and at the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) for high levels of domestic abuse.

A trained trainer with the NSPCC, Safer Recruitment Consortium and CEOP. Kerry is an experienced safeguarding trainer and continues to provide training, safeguarding supervision and consultancy services to schools and organisations across the North West.  

Kerry is also a school governor, safeguarding lead for a local sports organisation and a volunteer counsellor with Childline.

Additional Information

The virtual live training will be hosted by Kerry Dawson, Specialist Safeguarding Trainer and Consultant. Whilst it's not quite the same as face to face training, the courses are just as interactive, with plenty of opportunities for delegates to share good practice and ask any questions.