§ Lord Stoddart of Swindonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they support the Local Government Association's initiatives to advise local authorities to employ in schools "experts" on domestic violence who will encourage pupils to report fathers who assault their wives or partners and children; and, if so, whether this will also apply to mothers who assault their husbands or partners and children. [HL334]
§ Lord Williams of MostynWe welcome the recent publication by the Local Government Association ofDomestic violence and child abuse: policy and practice issues for local authorities and other agencies. This carefully balanced briefing paper emphasises that, "it is vital that teachers themselves are trained and supported to understand domestic violence as it affects children", but it does not recommend the appointment of narrowly-focused "domestic violence experts" or the active encouragement of reporting by children.
We already recommend that all schools should designate a senior teacher with responsibility for child protection and should have proper procedures in place for referral to social services and/or the police where appropriate. A recent survey showed that this recommendation was being widely implemented.
187WA"Child protection" in this context covers all situations in which a child is believed to be directly or indirectly at risk. It therefore addresses all forms of domestic violence which might affect a child, whichever parent is the perpetrator.