9th February 2018
Further to the Good Practice Points and Parent Tips on Keeping babies and young children safe around dogs in the home which we launched last year, we are delighted to share a new, free online course from The Links Group – Understanding animal welfare in violent homes – designed to help frontline staff understand the link between family abuse and animal abuse. This new online course is aimed at all professionals who have a responsibility to safeguard vulnerable children, young people and adults at risk.
The Links Group is a multi-agency interest group that promotes the welfare and safety of vulnerable children, animals and adults so that they are free from violence and abuse.
The course is particularly appropriate to child protection services, health professionals, police officers, teachers and education experts, children’s social care, adult social care and housing authorities.
The Understanding animal welfare in violent homes course has been written to provide a basic understanding of what animal abuse is, how to spot the signs, as well as to understand the recognised link between family abuse and animal abuse, and understand what to do if you have suspicions of abuse.
Co-author of the course, Vicki Betton, who works for veterinary charity PDSA and is an officer of The Links Group, said:
“The veterinary profession is now familiar with the concept of the ‘battered pet’, and recognises that there are sometimes interrelationships commonly known as ‘links’.
“This course uses our animal welfare expertise to help human healthcare colleagues to recognise potential concerns about pets in the homes they visit, even if the pet is not being directly harmed.
“By undertaking the course, human healthcare professionals will have a better understanding of animal wellbeing and will know where to seek advice if they suspect there is an issue.”
GPP and PT – Keeping babies and young children safe around dogs in the home
See the links below to access the Good Practice points and Parent Tips on Keeping babies and young children safe around dogs in the home (please note that the GPP is available to members of the iHV only. If you’re not a member, please join us to get access to all of our resources):