Working with young people living in residential care with pre-care experience of domestic violence: Social care workers perspectives

This study examines social care workers experiences and knowledge in supporting young people living in residential care cope with the associated trauma of exposure to domestic violence in their pre-care history. Understanding the effect trauma can have on a young person living in residential care is a vital component of social care practice. A qualitative research methodology was implemented to gather the data from social care practitioners working in residential care with young people, involving three focus groups and one semi-structured interview. Emerging strongly from the findings is the difficulty social care practitioners experienced in separating out the trauma associated from domestic violence exposure from other childhood adversities experienced by the young person as the presenting trauma symptoms are so interlinked. This research study describes how complex it is for social care practitioners to consider the impact domestic violence exposure can have a child and furthermore, understand the essence of domestic violence when so many other childhood adversities occur simultaneously. The role of the professional relationship and the support needs were also identified. The study concludes by recommending training and the support needs of social care professionals working in residential care.