Service evaluation of an independent domestic violence advocate post in a children’s hospital
Intended for healthcare professionals
Evidence and practice    

Service evaluation of an independent domestic violence advocate post in a children’s hospital

Ben Donagh Doctoral researcher, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, England
Julie Taylor Professor of child protection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, England
Caroline Bradbury-Jones Professor of gender-based violence and health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, England

Why you should read this article:
  • To better understand the detrimental effects of domestic violence and abuse on children and young people

  • To acknowledge the importance of having independent domestic violence advocates in children’s hospitals

  • To reflect on how you can enhance your practice with regard to domestic violence and abuse

Domestic violence and abuse (DVA) has detrimental effects on the health and well-being of children and young people exposed to it, whether they witness or experience it. The introduction of independent domestic violence advocates in UK hospitals has enhanced the safety of victims of DVA. In 2020-2021 an independent domestic violence advocate post was piloted at a children’s hospital for one year, the advocate’s role being to train hospital staff and support women who had experienced DVA. A service evaluation showed that the training and support provided by the independent domestic violence advocate had benefits for women, children and staff. It also confirmed that the commissioning of services for children exposed to DVA is often underfunded and overshadowed by the provision of support to adults.

Nursing Children and Young People. doi: 10.7748/ncyp.2023.e1490

Peer review

This article has been subject to open peer review and checked for plagiarism using automated software

@BKDonagh

Correspondence

bxd946@student.bham.ac.uk

Conflict of interest

None declared

Donagh B, Taylor J, Bradbury-Jones C (2023) Service evaluation of an independent domestic violence advocate post in a children’s hospital. Nursing Children and Young People. doi: 10.7748/ncyp.2023.e1490

Published online: 20 November 2023

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