School of Social and Political Science

Description

Let's talk family practices, support, and child protection - join us for an insightful event that sheds light on maintaining connections.

How do families do family in the context of domestic violence and abuse and child protection intervention?

Domestic violence and abuse (DVA) is a significant factor in referrals to Children’s Social Care (CSC) in the UK. While families impacted by DVA are increasingly visible to child protection services, how they do family in this context remains under explored in research and practice.

Drawing on qualitative data from a study in one English city, this seminar foregrounds family narratives as they navigate the intersection of DVA, socio-economic hardship, trauma and state intervention. By prioritising these voices, the session highlights family members' agency and the specific practices they employ to maintain family connections under the weight of systemic pressure.

This is an in-person event only.

Please note that this event may be recorded. The recording will be used for internal University of Edinburgh teaching purposes only.

About our speaker

Dr Permala Sehmar is a registered social worker and youth and community worker and a Lecturer in Social Work at the University of Sheffield.

Prior to starting her academic journey Permala had over twenty-five years’ experience in practice, leadership and policy development in the voluntary and statutory social care sector. Her research interests include child protection, domestic violence and abuse, poverty and inequality, work with marginalised families and she is particularly interested in lived experiences of social work services.