Working with Domestic Abuse as a Whole School Issue: Students, Learners and Staff

Domestic abuse is a significant safeguarding concern that can affect students, learners, families, and members of staff across every education setting. Under Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), schools and colleges have a responsibility to identify children who may be at risk, respond appropriately to concerns, and work with safeguarding partners to ensure effective support and protection. Schools are often uniquely placed to recognise the impact of domestic abuse through changes in attendance, behaviour, wellbeing, attainment, and relationships.

This course explores domestic abuse as a whole-school safeguarding issue, recognising that abuse affects not only direct victims but also children who witness, hear, or live with abuse. KCSIE highlights the importance of staff understanding the indicators of abuse, maintaining a child-centred approach, and taking timely action when concerns arise.

Participants will develop a comprehensive understanding of current legislation and safeguarding responsibilities, the impact of domestic abuse on children and young people, and the additional vulnerabilities that can increase risk or create barriers to support. The course will examine how domestic abuse affects educational engagement, emotional wellbeing, mental health, behaviour, and long-term outcomes, enabling practitioners to better understand the experiences of those affected.

Delegates will also strengthen their confidence in assessing and managing risk, identifying protective factors, recording concerns appropriately, and working effectively within multi-agency safeguarding frameworks. Through practical examples and reflective discussion, participants will explore how schools and colleges can create safe environments where children, young people and staff feel able to seek help and access support.

Rachael Courage is a qualified social worker with 20 years practice experience. She is an experienced trainer in child safeguarding and child protection and has managed sexual exploitation and missing services for Barnardos, including setting up services in new areas and working with Child Safeguarding Assurance Partnership around their strategic response to child sexual exploitation.

Rachael has been the safeguarding lead for the children and young people's service within a hospice and has worked for the NSPCC delivering individual and group therapeutic interventions for children who have experienced abuse.

Rachael is currently practicing as a Chair for Child Protection Conferences for a Local Authority.