The impact of family and domestic violence on the child

This course is designed for practitioners in adult-focused services who engage with adult and family adversity. It recognises the significant proportion of parents affected by FDV who present to services, and the interrelated nature of FDV and mental health, substance use, homelessness, financial pressure and child protection issues.  

As you progress through this course, you will work towards:

• understanding the nature and prevalence of family and domestic violence in Australia
• understanding a view of family and domestic violence that enables child-aware approaches
• recognising the impact of family and domestic violence on children
• linking the impact of family and domestic violence with a child’s social and emotional wellbeing
• understanding the importance of identifying and responding to issues of FDV in ways that prevent immediate and long-term consequences for children’s social and emotional wellbeing.

This course is a foundation for the practice-based Family and domestic violence and child-aware practice course. It is highly recommended that you complete this foundation course first before moving on to the core course, as it will provide you with important understandings around FDV that will enable you to incorporate child-aware practice into safe and effective conversations with mothers or fathers where FDV is a presenting issue.

This course is based on the following understandings: 

• FDV is prevalent in the lives of many Australian women and children. 
• Women experiencing FDV will typically not present at specialist FDV services. 
• There is a role for workers in non-FDV services to gain skills in crisis response, risk assessment and safety planning to recognise and respond to FDV. 
• It is important that this response has a focus on the children in these families to minimise the effects of FDV on children’s mental health and wellbeing.

It is estimated that this course will take you one hour to complete, including reading material and watching videos.

You can undertake the course across multiple sessions at your own pace. The last screen you visit before logging off will be bookmarked, and you will have the option of returning to that screen when you next log in.

This course features videos of fictional parents and family scenarios. As you work through the course, it is important to be aware of your own emotional responses. Please follow the self-care tips below and seek help if needed: 

• We do not recommend undertaking the entire course in one sitting. Give yourself some breaks. Even if you don’t feel that you need a break, it’s a good idea to take one anyway and come back later. 
• Be aware of your emotions as you progress through the course, and take action if you are starting to feel stressed or upset. For example, consider taking a break and doing something for yourself that you enjoy. 
• Be aware of your emotional responses after you complete the course. 

If at any point you find you are struggling, please talk with your supervisor, seek help, or call Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, or SANE Australia on 1800 18 7263. 

For the purpose of this course, the term parent encompasses the biological and adoptive parents of a child as well as individuals who have chosen to take up a primary or shared responsibility in raising that child.

Social and emotional wellbeing refers to the way a person thinks and feels about themselves and others. Social and emotional wellbeing incorporates behavioural and emotional strengths. It is integral to child development.²

This course draws on the latest research, clinical insights, and the lived experience of our child and family partners. We’d like to thank the professionals and families who played an integral role in shaping this course, generously offering their time, wisdom and unique perspectives.

Watch the following video for a quick guide on how to navigate Emerging Minds Learning courses.