Child/ Adolescent to Parent Violence and Abuse (CAPVA)

Child/Adolescent to Parent Violence and Abuse (CAPVA)

What is CAPVA?

CAPVA is a pattern of abusive behaviour by a child or adolescent towards a parent or carer. It includes physical violence, verbal abuse, coercive control, emotional abuse, and financial harm. It can occur across all backgrounds and often remains hidden due to shame, fear, or normalisation. Remember CAPVA is not “bad parenting”- it is a signal for early help, protection, and coordinated intervention.

Learning from our local safeguarding reviews and audit work prompted a review of policy and practice resulting in a new Pan Bedfordshire toolkit (COMING SOON - July 2026). A Pan Beds launch event takes place on 2nd July (event full) with further events planned for later in the year. (Please register your interest here.)

Effective safeguarding response

• Believe and support parents without criminalising by default

• Assess the whole family, including parental capacity and child vulnerabilities. This video clip gives an overview of Parent/ Carer Assessments. This is also available as a PowerPoint briefing.

• Use trauma-informed, strengths-based approaches

• Coordinate multi-agency plans (eg: Children’s Services, Education, Health, Youth Justice, Voluntary/ Community Services)

NEW Pan Bedfordshire CAPVA Toolkit - coming July 2026

Learning from reviews, our Safeguarding Children Partnership and Safeguarding Adults Board undertook a joint audit on CAPVA, prompting a review of policy and practice and development of a new practitioner toolkit. This includes practitioner guidance, screening tool and directory of services. We hope this will support decision-making, including identifying cases suitable for referral to MARAC (Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference), as well as informing referrals to Early Help, Children and Family Social Care, and Impact Family Services.

Sources of support

The following services can offer information/ support for those experiencing Child/ Adolescent to Parent Violence and Abuse (CAPVA);

Note: some services are primarily for domestic abuse/harm, which include family-based violence such as CAPVA.

Specialist CAPVA & Family Support

• CAPA First Response CIC – specific support for families and professionals dealing with child-to-parent abuse, offering free initial sessions by phone or online. Self-refer or refer via professionals. 

• Parental Education Growth Support (PEGS) – supports parents and carers experiencing child-to-parent violence and abuse; listening, guidance and peer support.

• Family Lives (helpline) – confidential UK wide service offering emotional support, information and guidance on parenting and family stressors, including abusive behaviours.

Local Domestic Abuse & Victim Support Services

These can help with safety planning, risk assessment, advocacy, and signposting to specialist support (CAPVA is increasingly recognised within a domestic abuse framework).

• Bedfordshire Domestic Abuse Partnership (BDAP) is a multi-agency network that works to raise awareness, deliver support, and strengthen the local response to domestic abuse across Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire, and Luton. It brings together local authorities, health services, and community organisations to ensure a coordinated and effective approach.

• Victim Support – free, confidential support for anyone affected by crime or abuse, including domestic abuse support services and Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs) in Bedfordshire.

• Bedfordshire Victim Care Services – practical and emotional support for victims of crime and abuse, including parents and guardians of affected children.

• One YMCA – IDVA & Therapeutic Support Service – offers support for adults and children experiencing domestic abuse, including counselling and psychosocial support.

• Stepping Stones (Luton) and Bedford Women's Centre – local domestic abuse charities providing support to families, advice, group work, and liaison with other agencies.

Local Family & Community Support (Parenting, Emotional Wellbeing)

These services aren’t CAPVA-specific but can offer parenting support, counselling, and help with stress, behavioural challenges, mental health and family dynamics:

• Bedfordshire Open Door – counselling and emotional support.
• Bedford Borough Local Offer
• Central Bedfordshire Local Offer
• Luton Local Offer
• Carers In Bedfordshire – support for unpaid carers facing stress and challenges.

Additional Support & Safeguarding Routes

• Concerned about a child, young person or adult in Bedfordshire? Click here for contact details.
• NSPCC Helpline – national helpline for advice and reporting concerns about children’s safety and wellbeing.
• Childline – free, confidential support for children and young people up to 19.
• Safeguarding Bedfordshire – Local safeguarding boards provide pathways to report concerns for adults and children and coordinate multi-agency safeguarding responses.

Tips for accessing support:

• Reach out early even if you’re unsure — many services operate on self-referral or can be contacted via email or helpline.

• If there’s immediate danger, always contact 999.

• CAPVA is often connected with wider safeguarding needs (child behaviour, mental health and trauma), so multi-agency responses are best practice.