From Despair to Repair...? Analysis - Schools
From Despair to Repair...?
Analysis - Schools
Participants had between 1-5 children at school. Most with one or two children at school.
The majority of children (62%) didn't have to change schools when the victim of the violence left the relationship.
"I experienced many difficulties changing schools due to the special needs of my child."
In 37% of cases the children had to move schools. Of those who commented, a number had problems with the process of changing schools. In particular the process was found to be time consuming and at times it proved difficult to get a place in a new school. Another participant found it difficult due to their child having special requirements.
Some of the children have been emotionally distressed and unsettled by the change in schools. Losing friends and being bullied were cited as particular problems. Another was now suffering from behavioural difficulties. Due to these problems a couple wouldn't attend school. If the child had special requirements it proved more difficult.
Others had found the process easy. One child quite liked moving schools and settled in fairly quickly because of friends at the school. Another had moved 4/5 times and was used to moving schools.
A number of participants didn't ask for help for their child/children. Some were unsure as to whether they would have received any help. Support that was identified that may have been of assistance was Counselling support for the child/children, general understanding from the staff, a faster response to changing schools and supporting the family, someone that the child can talk to and help with any consequent behavioural problems.
Issues were raised regarding schools still sending letters to the perpetrator's address even though requests had been made for them not to. Or when told not to let the perpetrator collect the children from school still allowed them to. Problems with the child being bullied and not receiving support from the school were also mentioned.
Help with ensuring that the perpetrator is not allowed to collect the child from school and support from teachers, school nurse, psychologists and counsellors were identified and seen as being important. Those schools with a policy on supporting parents experiencing domestic violence were held up as a good example.
"My child says that I could have gone to the Deputy Head for help if I had needed to".