Training Material: Helping Mothers Move Forward: A Workbook to Help Provide Assessment and Support to the Safe Carers of Children who have been Sexually Abused

 Helping Mothers Move Forward: A Workbook to Help Provide Assessment and Support to the Safe Carers of Children who have been Sexually Abused
 Lynda Regan,
 Russell House Publishing
 ISBN: 878190385874,
 £27.95

 STAR RATING: 4/5

Providing support to the mothers of children who have been sexually abused is a rather neglected area, so this workbook is to be welcomed, writes Steve Rogowski. Its A4-size photo-copiable worksheets and exercises make it a very good resource for the busy practitioner.

As the author acknowledges the information provided here could equally be used for fathers in those rarer cases when it is the mother that has had sexual abuse allegations made against her.

Importantly, it is pointed out that if mothers are only assessed at the point of referral they are often unfairly judged as being unable to protect their child in future. Rather they should be helped, by receiving therapeutic support, to go through stages of shock and grief, and to “move forward” thereby ultimately putting the child’s needs before their own.

The reader will find valuable advice and guidance on helping mothers work through the various stages of reacting to the traumatic news of sexual abuse while also ensuring this takes place in a non-judgmental way. There are, for example, sections on techniques on promoting engagement and participation, understanding the process of sexual abuse and grooming strategies, body safety skills for children, and looking at the future and family reunification.

Importantly, practitioners can dip into the worksheets and exercises with their use being dependent on their suitability for the mother/carer they are currently working with.

A copy should be made available to every children and families social work team.

Dr Steve Rogowski is a children and families social worker in Oldham