Overview.

Statistics derived from the most recent annual Child in Need Census, published in October 2023, list domestic violence and abuse (DVA) as one of the most common relevant factors being recorded at the end of assessments. As such DVA is a key issue in child and family social work. But are social workers given the knowledge and skills they need to be able to recognise and respond appropriately to DVA when confronted with it in practice?

This is a question at the heart of an ongoing research project at the University of Northampton. The overall aim is to: critically investigate the values, norms and assumptions of social work students, practitioners, and academics in relation to DVA to develop an evidence-based challenge to the level of DVA education newly qualified child and family social workers have generally received.

 

The first phase of data collection is an online survey asking BA Students whether they  have had previous experience working with DVA, whether they have received education about DVA on their social work programmes and whether they feel confident about working with DVA. The objective being to explore students’ experiences to help answer the question ‘How are child and family social workers prepared to work with DVA?’.

Please click on the link to access the survey:

https://northampton.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/social-work-education-domestic-violence-and-abuse-copy

 

The second phase of data collection is now underway. Newly or recently qualified social workers will be asked to share their experiences of education and practice relating to DVA in interviews. The objective is to continue trying to answer the question of how social workers are prepared but also to gain a richer understanding of whether practitioners feel they were adequately prepared by their social work programmes.

Please email nicci.vella@northampton.ac.uk if you would be willing to take part in an interview.