Links Group trustees Rebecca Stephens and Dr. Mary Wakeham joined forces again with Cats Protection Lifeline National Manager Amy Hyde for a live webinar for the British Association of Social Workers Expert Insights Series last week.
BASW is the independent professional membership organisation for social work across the UK, and offers training and CPD for the social work profession. One such programme is the Expert Insights Series, where BASW invites guest trainers to speak on ‘a choice of hot topics in social work today. The sessions provide opportunities to learn from subject matter experts and expand your knowledge and skills.’
Rebecca, Associate Professor of Social Work and Co-Director of Education at the International Association of Veterinary Social Work, accompanied by Mary and Amy, delivered an inspiring and thought-provoking session to a range of social work professionals, academics and practitioners from across the UK and beyond.
The webinar content demonstrated why attention to domestic animals matters in social work and helped to increase understanding about how and why perpetrators harm and abuse animals to coerce, control and entrap human victim-survivors of domestic abuse.
Rebecca expanded on the underpinning theoretical, policy and legislative framework in promoting the wellbeing and safety of people and animals in the context of domestic abuse. She further discussed the importance of considering animals in assessments and safety plans of families escaping domestic abuse and providing professionals with practical tools and resources to do this.
Mary and Amy expanding on this aspect, and highlighted the role of the Links Group Accredited Specialist Domestic Abuse Animal Fostering Services, of which Amy is Chair, available in the UK.
This was an excellent opportunity to increase awareness of ‘The Link’, its impact on families, and why Protecting Animals, Protecting People matters to social workers.
With huge thanks to BASW for supporting this webinar, and for donating 50% of non-VAT ticket income to The Links Group. We are totally reliant on donations to continue our work, most of which is delivered free of charge or for donations, so thank you for this much-needed financial and professional support.
As a nation of animal lovers, it’s wonderful to have featured this topic in BASW’s learning programme.
“Delivered by guest trainers with passionate subject matter expertise, the session offered valuable insights to social workers around the connection of animal abuse in the context of domestic abuse and coercive control.
“You can check out other topics coming up in our Expert Insights Series at this link – https://basw.co.uk/training-cpd/professional-development/expert-insights-series
Lisa Urquhart, Project Manager for Professional Learning at BASW
