Successful conference held by Domestic Violence Focus Group

The West Essex Domestic Violence Focus Group held successful half day conference last month. More than 70 professionals from across the partnerships attended including representatives from social care, health and schools.

The conference, entitled “Silent Voices” aimed to put the experience of the child in the centre of practitioners’ thinking, and to raise awareness of the many issues involved in identifying the needs of these children and young people.

Guest speakers included Brian Arrowsmith, ECC’s Information Governance Manager who talked through the complexities around information sharing, and specialist psychologist Maria Mars from the Lionmede Centre, a therapeutic resource for Looked After Children, whose key interest is in working with children who have lived with violence.

Safer Places, a key source of support for victims of violence in the home, presented a compelling session using film which encouraged attendees to unpick a series of complex issues focussing on why non- abusive parents choose to stay.

The chair of the West Essex Domestic Violence focus group, Jill Holland, said:

"I feel strongly that this event gives us an example of how effective multi-agency thinking and planning can impact upon professional interventions. "

The focus group, which has representatives from many of the partner agencies and planned the event, has been very pleased with the feedback it has received, and hopes to deliver another similar event in the summer.

Keep your eye out for promotion of further events in the coming weeks.