The programme participants will have the opportunity to participate in the first Family for Every Child Community of Practice (COP), a group of members who share learning about a key care topic or method.

The COP will focus on understanding the impact of family violence on individual and family behaviour. It will also be looking at the emotional needs of people affected by family violence.

A UK study found that 72% of people who have killed or committed serious, usually violent, crime experienced abuse as children (UNICEF 1997)

As we know, family violence is a notable cause of loss of parental care, social exclusion and poor life outcomes. Children whose relationships while growing up have been characterised by loss and or experiencing or witnessing violence, often develop dysfunctional coping behaviours which frequently lead to exclusion.

We need to help children and parents develop insights into their experiences so that they can better understand their behaviours and as a result begin to replace damaging behaviours with positive strategies which enable them to build healthy relationships and make more effective life choices.

“Children want parents not to beat their children” (Boy aged 12 in detention in Kenya)

General Director, Alison Lane said: “We want to raise awareness of the impact of family violence on child development and an understanding of the link between this and the challenging behaviours we see in the children and families we attend across our alliance.

“The conference offers an introduction to a large range of therapeutic methods for working with children and families while the COP offers case analysis techniques which will enable programme leaders to develop their own and their teams´ capacity to understand the language of behaviour and strengthen treatment plans.”