This resource explores the role of police professionals in responding to parental conflict and how their involvement can help mitigate its negative effects on children and families. Drawing on police perspectives from our exploratory project commissioned by DWP, it highlights practical approaches to identification, response, and collaboration with other services.
The summary document provides an overview of the engagement discussions and key findings that fed into the development of the resource.
Frequent, intense, and unresolved parental conflict can have lasting negative effects on children’s well-being, including their mental, emotional, and physical health. Police professionals are often the first to encounter families in conflict, placing them in a key position to identify concerns early and refer families to appropriate support, including reducing parental conflict (RPC) services.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) commissioned Foundations to explore how police professionals engage with this issue and the factors influencing their level of involvement. This resource draws on insights from that project, capturing police perspectives on identifying, responding to, and supporting families experiencing parental conflict. It provides practical guidance on how police can take action to identify and respond to parental conflict and improve outcomes for children and families.
This resource is designed for police staff at all levels, from frontline officers to senior leadership, as well as local authority teams, policymakers, and family support professionals working in multi-agency settings.
This resource explains what parental conflict is, why it matters, and how it differs from domestic abuse. It explores the police’s role in identifying and addressing parental conflict, emphasising the importance of early intervention, effective communication, and referral to appropriate support. Through case studies and practical examples, it illustrates how police can work with local authorities and other agencies to support families experiencing conflict. It also provides guidance on training opportunities and strategies for embedding reducing parental conflict work within policing structures, ensuring officers at all levels are equipped to respond effectively.
September 9, 2024
March 13, 2024
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