An Expert Consensus Building Exercise on Understanding and Responding to Child and Adolescent‐to‐Parent Violence and Abuse

ABSTRACT The purpose of this work was to identify areas of consensus regarding principles for understanding and responding to child and adolescent‐to‐parent violence and abuse (CAPVA) using two independent three‐round Delphi studies. Delphi 1 (2021) recruited an international panel comprising specialist practitioners, parents with lived experience, and respondents reporting both forms of expertise. Delphi 2 (2025) recruited practitioners working within a single local authority in the north‐east of England and was supported by an advisory group to inform local relevance and interpretation. Both studies used three sequential questionnaires (Round 1 open‐ended item generation; Rounds 2–3 structured statement rating with controlled feedback). Delphi 1 included 31 respondents in Round 1, 46 in Round 2, and 40 in Round 3; Delphi 2 included 13 respondents in Rounds 1–2 and nine in Round 3. Agreement was summarised using percentage agreement/disagreement, median, and interquartile range.Across both panels, consensus emphasised non‐stigmatising, child‐centred and relational practice; caution against routine use of adult domestic abuse/perpetrator frameworks; clearer and more accessible referral pathways; and the importance of timely, developmentally informed support. The findings offer consensus‐based practice principles which can inform service development and guidance while recognising the heterogeneity of CAPVA presentations and the need for flexible, tiered responses. Further work is needed to test outcomes and incorporate children's and young people's perspectives.