The guide was developed in collaboration with valued stakeholders including Women’s Aid, Galop, Southall Black Sisters, Sign Health, Karma Nirvana, Respect, AVA, Ann Craft Trust, Dr Michaela Rogers at the University of Sheffield, as well as people with lived experience and BASW members.
The Social Workers Union fully supports the aims of the Domestic Abuse Bill. We believe that all people, be they adults or children, should be protected from violence in any setting, including their home. We welcome the initiative of a cross-party group of Peers to introduce a new clause to the Bill that would provide greater protection to children from violence in the home by repealing the legal defence of ‘reasonable punishment’.
BASW England and BASW Cymru have backed an amendment to the Bill that would mean public authorities would have a statutory duty to commission support in the community for all victims of domestic abuse, including children.
There needs to be significant, long-term investment in children and young people across the country - with support services for vulnerable children and care leavers requiring urgent resources, both during and beyond the pandemic.
BASW NI has briefed the Northern Ireland Assembly Education Committee calling for up-to-date guidance aimed at minimising the use of restraint and preventing the use of seclusion for children with additional needs in educational settings.
The new Scottish Act removes any doubt that physical discipline is not acceptable and can only assist social workers when doing multifaceted assessments of families.
This latest report shows ongoing evidence of excessive use of prolonged and long-term seclusion, segregation, restraint and human rights violations and abuse, alongside examples of undignified and inhumane care, in hospital and care settings.