1. Purpose

This procedure provides a clear, consistent multi‑agency framework for the identification, assessment and response to Child and Adolescent to Parent Violence and Abuse (CAPVA).

It aims to:

  • safeguard parents, carers and siblings;
  • address harmful behaviour by children and young people;
  • promote proportionate, non‑criminalising responses wherever possible;
  • ensure coordinated, whole‑family intervention.

2. Scope

This procedure applies to all agencies working with children, young people and families, including:

  • Children’s Social Care;
  • Adult Social Care;
  • Police;
  • Health (including CAMHS and primary care);
  • Education;
  • Housing;
  • Youth Justice;
  • Voluntary and community organisations.

It applies to children and young people under 18, and recognises that similar dynamics may exist where adult children continue to live at home.

3. Terminology and Definition

Child and Adolescent to Parent Violence and Abuse (CAPVA) may also be known as:

  • Adolescent to Parent Violence (APV/APVA);
  • Child to Parent Abuse (CPA);
  • Child to Parent Violence (CPV);
  • Parent abuse.

For consistency, the term CAPVA is used throughout this procedure.

3.1 Definition

CAPVA is any pattern of intended controlling, coercive, threatening or abusive behaviour, including violence, by a child or young person towards a parent or carer.

CAPVA may include:

CAPVA is normally a pattern of behaviour, not a single incident, and often develops gradually over time.

4. Legal Context

  • CAPVA is recognised as a form of domestic abuse;
  • Under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, where the child is aged 16 or over, the behaviour may meet the statutory definition of domestic abuse;
  • Where the child is under 16, CAPVA still constitutes abuse and safeguarding concerns and must be responded to accordingly.

Language such as “victim” and “perpetrator” may be unhelpful in CAPVA contexts; practitioners should describe behaviours and impacts, while clearly affirming that the behaviour is abusive.

5. Key Principles

All responses to CAPVA must be underpinned by:

  1. safety first – for parents, carers, siblings and the child;
  2. whole‑family approach – understanding family dynamics and history;
  3. affirmation – the behaviour is abusive and unacceptable;
  4. non‑blaming practice – CAPVA is not the result of poor parenting;
  5. child‑centred safeguarding – the child using harm is often also vulnerable;
  6. early intervention – preventing escalation and family breakdown;
  7. proportionate responses – avoiding unnecessary criminalisation;

6. Impact of CAPVA.

6.1 Impact on Parents and Carers

  • fear, isolation, shame and guilt;
  • reduced confidence and parenting capacity;
  • anxiety, depression and physical injury;
  • financial loss, property damage and housing insecurity.

6.2 Impact on Children Using Harm

  • emotional distress, shame and guilt;
  • mental health difficulties and trauma;
  • social isolation and school disruption;
  • risk of criminalisation or placement breakdown.

6.3 Impact on Siblings

  • exposure to domestic abuse;
  • direct harm or injury when intervening or caught in the crossfire;
  • emotional distress and fear;
  • avoidance of the family home.

7. Risk Factors and Context

CAPVA may be associated with (but not caused by):

  • previous exposure to violence, domestic abuse or coercive control;
  • trauma, neglect or attachment difficulties;
  • mental health difficulties;
  • neurodiversity or learning disability;
  • substance misuse;
  • bullying, exploitation or peer influence;
  • family stress (poverty, housing, isolation).

There may be no obvious cause, and families often struggle to understand why one child is abusive while others are not.

Where behaviour is solely the result of a SEND,  medical condition or severe brain injury and lacks intent or control, it may not meet the definition of CAPVA.

8. Identification and Indicators

Practitioners should consider CAPVA where parents or carers report:

  • fear of their child;
  • living “on eggshells”;
  • escalating or patterned aggression;
  • damage to property or financial harm;
  • adapting behaviour to avoid conflict;
  • reluctance to report due to shame or fear;
  • observed evidence of injuries on the parent and other family members.

Children may present with:

  • aggression at home but not elsewhere;
  • poor emotional regulation;
  • school difficulties or disengagement;
  • mental health concerns;
  • minimisation or denial of behaviour.

9. Immediate Response

When CAPVA is identified, practitioners must:

  • take concerns seriously and respectfully;
  • establish immediate safety of all household members;
  • identify all children in the household;
  • speak to parents and children separately where safe;
  • consider whether emergency or police intervention is required.

If there is immediate risk, emergency services must be contacted.

Develop clear immediate safety plans in the event of further violence whilst further assessment and appropriate referrals are being undertaken.

10. Safeguarding and Referrals

10.1 Children’s Safeguarding

A referral to Children’s Social Care must be made where:

  • there is reasonable cause to suspect significant harm;
  • siblings may be at risk;
  • behaviour is severe, escalating or persistent;
  • parents are unable to keep themselves or others safe.

Children’s Social Care must determine the response within three working days.

See Making a Referral.

10.2 Adult Safeguarding

If the parent or carer has care and support needs, consideration must be given to a Care Act safeguarding response, alongside children’s safeguarding.

11. Assessment

Assessment must:

  • consider patterns, not isolated incidents;
  • explore family history and context;
  • include impact on parents, siblings and the child;
  • be culturally sensitive and trauma‑informed;
  • seek to understand the dynamics between the parent and child, whilst avoiding  default assumptions about parenting failure;
  • consider a referral to MARAC.

Risk assessment tools may be used but must not replace professional analysis.

See Family Assessments.

12. Multi‑Agency Working

Where risk is significant:

  • a multi‑agency strategy discussion or meeting must be convened;
  • children’s services, police, health and relevant agencies must contribute;
  • a shared risk assessment and safety plan must be agreed.

Adult and children’s services must work together, not in parallel.

See Strategy Discussions.

13. Intervention and Support

13.1 Parents and Carers

Support should be assessed though a carers assessment and should consider:

  • reducing isolation and stigma;
  • improving safety and confidence;
  • offering specialist CAPVA‑informed services;
  • being trauma informed and culturally sensitive;
  • continuing  even if the child does not engage.

13.2 Children and Young People

Interventions should:

  • address emotional regulation and trauma;
  • promote accountability without shaming;
  • support education, health and wellbeing;
  • be developmentally appropriate and specialist.

Generic parenting programmes are not appropriate responses to CAPVA.

14. Role of the Police

Police responses must:

  • recognise CAPVA as domestic abuse;
  • be involved in immediate safety planning, such a putting a marker on the house for a quick response;
  • prioritise safeguarding;
  • use arrest only where necessary to ensure safety;
  • consider diversion, restorative approaches and referrals;
  • work closely with children’s and family services.

15. Recording, Review and Escalation

All agencies must:

  • record CAPVA clearly and consistently;
  • review risk regularly;
  • escalate concerns if plans are ineffective;
  • challenge drift or gaps in service response.

16. Conclusion

CAPVA is a serious, complex and often hidden form of domestic abuse. Effective responses require:

  • early recognition;
  • whole‑family, trauma‑informed practice;
  • strong multi‑agency coordination;
  • clear affirmation that the behaviour is abusive.

The aim is to stop the violence, restore safety and support families to remain together wherever it is safe to do so.

17. Further Information

Home Office Information Guide: Adolescent to Parent Violence and Abuse (APVA)

Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARAC)

Controlling or Coercive Behaviour: Statutory Guidance Framework

Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (GOV.UK)

NICE PH 50 Domestic Violence and Abuse – various tools and guidance.

Support for child to parent abuse | College of Policing

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