Introduction

These are the consequences of domestic abuse (DA), a key safeguarding issue, as these examples illustrate, for a significant number of children in Cheshire. Many children attending UK schools do not need their imagination to engage with such scenes; for many these images are their reality, their childhood memories and will most certainly impact on their ability to access both teaching and learning and, ultimately, their life chances. It is clear that educationalists have an important role in ensuring that children exposed to DA are identified, protected and supported. Children spend a large proportion of their time in school and their class teacher can be a very significant figure in their lives, especially in primary education. A teacher can be a consistent person who listens in a non-judgmental way, who can effectively signpost them to sources of information and support, and who can alter the course of their lives and of their families.

Cheshire County Council undertook to raise awareness of DA amongst a broad range of professionals and the general public, including young people. A range of services were also provided to meet the identified needs of those affected, with the aim of keeping them safe and, as far as possible, mitigating against harm. Cheshire Education Services embedded DA in its Child Protection training, and they also developed and led a range of personal, health, social, and citizenship education (PHSCE) initiatives, focusing on healthy relationships, in schools.