Welcome to the Dorset toolkit for professionals working with domestic abuse
Statutory guidance advises that ‘Domestic abuse is the most common risk factor identified by social workers in assessments and is a key driver of need for children’s social care’. It is therefore essential that all those multi-agency professionals who work with children and young people understand what domestic abuse is, and the impact it has on children and families. They will need to know how to support non-abusing parents who face abuse, as well as children. They will need to understand the High-Risk Domestic Abuse (HRDA) pathway, as well as the child protection process.
Our core procedures for responding to domestic abuse can be found in the Dorset Safeguarding Children Partnership library. This toolkit has been designed to give professionals resources and information that will enable them to fulfil the requirements of our procedures.
In particular, the toolkit sets out a key change in the Domestic Abuse Act, 2021: children and young people who witness domestic abuse are now considered victims of domestic abuse.
This toolkit has been developed with the assistance of practitioners from across the Dorset Council area. It is intended to be a live document, regularly updated to reflect new insights and national guidance. Please help us by completing the feedback links, or by emailing dorsetscp@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk with your thoughts.
1. Domestic Abuse Statutory Guidance (publishing.service.gov.uk), p260
