Jonathan Beavis’s research while affiliated with NHS Grampian and other places

This chapter draws together the findings of both of the studies, the literature review and the overarching picture of sibling sexual abuse in contemporary UK culture. This chapter provides key recommendations that link to developing a clearer recording criteria and definition of SSA, the reality and impact of young people who have been the victim of abuse who go onto commit SSA, upskilling professionals, creating specialised support for survivors, understanding family dysfunction, working with families, informing society and tackling the related pornography issue linked to SSA.KeywordsRecordingSpecialised supportImplicationsSocietal issuesNext steps

This chapter will detail the findings of the part of the project that was led by Dr. Sophie King-Hill at The University of Birmingham, supported by Abby Gilsenan, Jonathan Beavis and Purple Leaf and West Mercia Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (WMRSASC). The project had a number of research objectives that were underpinned by the overall project’s key performance indicators (KPIs) and aims. These were focussed on supporting children and young people (CYP) via the means of an initial assessment tool that linked to referral pathways, with consideration given to individuals that had been harmed and also been harmed. They were also to be underpinned by best practice guidance and training in the area of SSA and CYP.KeywordsAssessmentInterventionProfessional confidenceProfessional responsesFamily focus

The epilogue captures a survivor’s voice and tells their story. This narrative shows that sibling sexual abuse is complex and that its characteristics cannot be predicted nor expected.KeywordsRecoveryDisclosureFamilyLife- long impactSibling relationshipsLived experience

This chapter outlines the project from which the research in this book originated. It outlines the context and intended outcomes on the ‘Sibling sexual abuse: supporting victims and survivors to recover, heal and rebuild their lives’ project that was funded by the Home Office Support for Victims and Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse (SVSCSA) fund. It gives an overview of the current context in relation to research and the prevalence of sibling sexual abuse and outlines associated outcomes. It sets out the structure of the book for the reader, highlighting how each chapter will address the various issues with, and aspects of, sibling sexual abuse.KeywordsIntended outcomesContext of the studiesStructure

Chapters 1 and 2 provide a comprehensive and broad overview of the existing Sibling Sexual Abuse (SSA) evidence base. This chapter will provide the first piece of empirical evidence from the research. The chapter will start with a discussion of the context, background and methodology of the study by the University of West England with 18 adult victim-survivors, who as children experienced SSA. The chapter then discusses the main outcomes from the research (i.e. participants perceptions of their abuse, the impact that it had upon the at the time as well as a cross their lives, the support they received from professional services and whether it was effective, and the broader social and political narratives surrounding SSA). The chapter will end with a discussion of how the findings relate back to the overall research project and existing literature.KeywordsFamily dysfunctionDisclosureReportingPreventionPublic and personal understanding

This chapter seeks to identify and explore core lessons learnt through the amalgamation of both studies. Furthermore, this section aims to critically examine the implications of the data considering broader societal and structural narratives surrounding sexual abuse. Utilising this exploratory analysis, we offer a detailed discussion of possible next steps in bolstering the prevention of and recovery from sibling sexual abuse. Ultimately, we conclude that a significant uptick in understanding and material support is needed to ensure children, young people and families impacted by SSA receive the best quality care in their recovery.KeywordsSexual culturesDisclosureInterventionsPractitioner responsesPrevention

Support workers represent a large proportion of the NHS workforce and yet their supervisory needs are often overlooked. This study focused specifically on a cohort of support workers in a community paediatric palliative care setting. Peer supervision was implemented for this group, initially face to face and then virtually. The experiences of clinical supervision for this group were investigated through responses to an online survey ( n = 25) and two focus groups ( n = 7). Survey data were analysed concurrently with a thematic analysis. The following themes and sub-themes were developed from transcribed focus groups: (1) Barriers to engagement (2) Being Listened to (3) What Worked Well: Logistics. Overall, delivery of supervision was effective to a mixed degree – though support workers appreciated a space to be listened to, their distrust of colleagues and other barriers impeded the capacity of supervision to achieve more than support and catharsis for this group. Future projects should focus on introducing more preliminary interventions to promote reflection and peer support for these groups as well as continue to consider the supervisory needs of support workers.

Providing home care to children with complex physical health needs is an emotionally challenging role. Extant literature and documents such as the Cavendish Review (2013) have reported that a large proportion of care for this population is carried out by non-registered staff (support workers). Provision of clinical supervision for nurses working in palliative care is increasing, however, supervision needs of support workers are commonly neglected. This paper sought to synthesise what is known about clinical supervision practices for support workers in paediatric palliative care (PPC). A literature review was conducted in accordance with integrative review guidelines. 315 papers were identified initially, 15 studies were included in this review. Four commonalities were identified: importance of team cohesion, varying degrees of formality, self-awareness and practicalities. Support workers received varying forms of supervision and some facilitators faced organisational difficulties involving staff in supervision. Support workers who received staff support generally appreciated it in recognition that their work is complex and emotionally difficult. This paper highlighted that further research should investigate the efficacy of clinical supervision as a method of reducing stress and burnout for support workers. Any implementation of supervision should involve a considered approach to training and supervision to ensure fidelity.