Learning to Respect
Hounslow Domestic
Violence Education
Programme
Domestic violence is experienced by a large number of people in Hounslow.
The aim of the Learning to Respect preventative education programme is to
reduce the incidence of this crime by educating potential perpetrators and
victims about the meaning and nature of abuse. The programme will be using
a variety of resources, to train staff to educate Infant, Nursery, Junior, Primary
and Secondary School pupils. The programme will provide young people with
the tools to develop healthy, respectful and non-confrontational relationships.
The programme is managed by Pattie Friend who is located within the Central
Early Intervention Team at Hounslow Education Centre.
Contact:
Pattie Friend
Learning to Respect
Domestic Violence Education Programme Manager
Early Intervention Team (Central)
Hounslow Education Centre
Martindale Road
Hounslow
TW4 7HE
Tel: 020 8583 6600
Learning to Respect
Hounslow Domestic Violence Education Programme
Background
The Learning to Respect Programme has been operating in Hounslow
schools since 2004. It was originally based on the Westminster Prevention
Pack and DVD for schools but a number of other resources are now available.
Learning to Respect received an award from the Mayor of London in 2005 in
recognition of the programme’s contribution to meeting the aims and
objectives of the London Domestic Violence Strategy.
Why is domestic violence an issue for schools?
From 2011 it will be a statutory requirement for schools to deliver domestic
violence education via PSHE. Domestic violence is experienced by at least a
quarter of all women in a lifetime. It is also experienced by a small proportion
of men. Other relationships are also affected and people in gay, lesbian,
bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities also experience domestic
violence. Research shows that children are adversely affected by witnessing
domestic violence in the family and that domestic violence is a feature in
many child protection cases. Schools provide the ideal setting for preventative
work, reaching as wide an audience as possible in order to help prevent
further abuse.
What are the benefits to pupils?
Domestic violence affects children from all sections of the community
regardless of race, class and educational background. Their experiences
often have profound consequences for their social development and
educational attainment.
Presenting problems in school may include poor concentration, frequent
absence, aggressive or withdrawn behaviour and failure to complete
homework. Raising awareness in schools will support these pupils, whilst at
the same time encouraging potential perpetrators of the future, to develop
healthy, non-abusive and respectful relationships.
What are the benefits to staff?
School teachers and support staff are sometimes the only trusted adults in
children’s lives and many staff will be acutely aware of this. It is therefore vital
to provide them with the appropriate tools to support pupils living with
violence. The programme will provide domestic violence training for all
participating staff. It will help staff to understand why domestic violence affects
children’s schooling and how children can be supported. In so doing, the
programme will help to inform child protection work within the school. There
are materials in the Westminster pack which will help to increase
understanding and skills in relation to the more general topics of bullying,
conflict resolution, building confidence and self-esteem, sexism and racism
and homophobia.
What are the benefits to the whole school community?
More than ever before, local authorities and schools will be aware of the need
to demonstrate a commitment to early intervention and prevention of harm to
children. Since the publication of Every Child Matters (ECM) and the
subsequent Children’s Act 2004, local authorities will be seeking to support
parents and carers as well. The programme will help schools to fulfil this
commitment. Schools will also be inspected on well-being indicators as of
September 2009. For pupils, the programme has relevance to all of the five
outcomes identified in ECM and this has informed the decision to make
domestic violence education part of the new statutory PSHCE curriculum from
2011.
The aims of the domestic violence programme will help schools to meet some
of the objectives of the National Curriculum in a number of subject areas,
most notably English and Citizenship.
The aims and objectives of the programme also correspond with those of
many other current educational initiatives. The programme will help schools
fulfil many of the criteria to meet the minimum requirements of the Healthy
School Standards in order to gain and retain status as a healthy school.
Schools are also linking Learning to Respect with the Social and Emotional
Aspects of Learning (SEAL) themes.
How will the programme be delivered in Hounslow schools?
A multi-agency team offers training to teachers/support staff in schools. The
training is in two parts: Part 1 involves general awareness raising on the
subject of domestic violence and Part 2 provides staff with the Westminster
pack and other resources and advice on how to use them. The materials are
adaptable and the programme of work can be tailored to meet the needs and
requirements of individual schools.
Where possible, in order to minimise cost, the training is delivered during staff
Inset days and after school training sessions. Limited funds are available to
provide cover for teachers attending training at other times. The training can
be delivered as a whole day, half day or twilight sessions. This again, can be
tailored to meet the agenda of individual school development plans.
The training itself is provided free of charge. The programme, which is
delivered by teachers in the school, can be taught via the Personal Social
Health and Citizenship Education (PSHCE) curriculum in both Primary and
Secondary schools. It could also be delivered as a programme of work for
Drama/English.
The local organisations and agencies which support women and children
living with domestic violence have a vital role to play in the programme and
parent information sessions are available if required.
In order to assist you with planning for your participation in this programme,
please see the attached table, which illustrates the proposed schedule for
implementation each year. Although specific dates are unavailable (these
need to be negotiated with each school) the table gives an indication of the
time commitment to the programme.
School Term
Spring/Summer
2010
Autumn 2010
1st half-term
School Senior
Manager/Year
Head/PSHCE Coordinator
Programme Manager
to meet with
representatives from
schools.
Identify date for
training and delivery
and agree which staff
will receive training.
Identify particular
training needs of
individual schools.
Allocate school staff
to programme
development.
Autumn 2010
2nd half-term
Provide scheme of
work for staff and
programme manager.
SMT/Programme
Manager evaluation
following delivery.
Spring 2011
1st half-term
As Autumn Term for
all additional
participating schools.
As Autumn Term for
all additional
participating schools.
Spring 2011
2nd half-term
Participating Staff
Attend introductory staff
briefing on programme.
(Staff meeting/after school
training session).
Some schools to receive Part
1 and 2 training, delivered by
representatives of
programme training team.
Part 1 and 2 training
delivered in more schools by
representatives of
programme training team.
Training evaluation.
Teachers deliver programme
in school during second half
term.
Pupil evaluation.
As Autumn Term for all
additional participating
schools.
As Autumn Term for all
additional participating
schools.
Programme evaluation.
We hope you agree that this programme has much to offer both staff
and pupils in your school. We believe it will contribute toward a healthy
and happy school environment where pupils and staff feel safe and
supported.