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Children and young people EXPERIENCING DOMESTIC ABUSE: Guidance Note for Planners

1 Purpose of the Guidance

The purpose of this document is to provide planners in local public agencies with a guide to incorporating the needs of Children and Young People Experiencing Domestic Abuse (CYPEDA) into key local plans to ensure effective support for this group of children and young people in need within refuges and in the community. It supplements guidance on integrated Children's Services Plan 2005-2008 issued by the Scottish Executive.

There is considerable evidence to suggest that there are large numbers of children and young people experiencing domestic abuse (CYPEDA) in Scotland and that the difficulties they face are likely to be ongoing and serious (Scottish Executive: 2000).

The nature and extent of the problem, gaps in the current level, quality, spread and funding of services to this group, and the importance of addressing their needs urgently and as a national priority has been highlighted in a number of recent document and reports. This document draws together findings and recommendations to aid planners in the planning process. The document is issued by the National Group to Address Violence Against Women and has been developed by a working group involving officials from the Scottish Executive Equality Unit, Health Department and Education Department Child Protection, Early Education & Childcare and Integrated Children's Services Teams, COSLA, Scottish Women's Aid, Scottish Children's Reporter Administration and NHS Health Scotland. It specifically aims to:

• Ensure CYPEDA are recognised as 'children in need' ¹ and a particular group requiring service.
• Ensure a strategic, integrated approach to providing the range of services to address the therapeutic, practical and support needs of CYPEDA, locally and nationally.
• Consider the requirement for increased specialist service for CYPEDA in each area.
• Improve and integrate the response of all agencies to increase partnership working and good practice in relation to CYPEDA.

This guidance note is issued within the context of the joint COSLA and Scottish Executive partnership priority for better integrating services for children and young people, in particular for those that are vulnerable or disadvantaged. The note complements revised guidance issued on integrated children's services planning and specific policy initiatives, including the Child Protection Reform programme, Integrated Community School approach, Starting Together - Integrated Early Years Strategy.

The Scottish Executive has set out a broad vision of expectations and aspirations for all children and young people, applying across the full range of policy initiatives and services. Each of the statements within the vision is relevant to the experiences of CYPEDA. Children and Young People in Scotland should be valued by ensuring that they are:

• Safe: Children and young people should be protected from abuse, neglect and harm by others at home, at school and in the community.
• Nurtured: Children and young people should live within a supportive family setting, with additional assistance if required, or, where this is not possible, within another caring setting, ensuring a positive and rewarding childhood experience.
• Healthy: Children and young people should enjoy the highest attainable standards of physical and mental health, with access to suitable healthcare and support for safe and healthy lifestyle choices.
• Achieving: Children and young people should have access to positive learning environments and opportunities to develop their skills, confidence and self esteem to the fullest potential.
• Active: Children and young people should be active with opportunities and encouragement to participate in play and recreation, including sport.
• Respected & Responsible: Children, young people and their carers should be involved in decisions that affect them, should have their voices heard and should be encouraged to play an active and responsible role in their communities.
• Included: Children, young people and their families should have access to high quality services, when required, and should be assisted to overcome the social, educational, physical, environmental and economic barriers that create inequality.

The guidance recognises that the support of the non-abusing parent is crucial to the child's welfare, and therefore that making genuine alliances with non-abusing parents, providing support for them and recognising that this a key element in the support and protection for the child, is crucial to short and long term outcomes for the child.

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