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Do we listen or do we assume?

What teenagers want from a post-abuse service

Brynffynon Child and Family Service, Merthyr Road, Pontypridd, Mid Glamorgan CF37 4DD

Declaration of interest

None.

AIMS AND METHOD

To use a questionnaire to assess and compare what referred children and their referrers would like from a multi-disciplinary post-abuse service based in Bridgend, South Wales.

RESULTS

It was found that the children and their referrers wanted different types of support and help from the service. Specifically, children wanted to be ‘listened to’ on an individual basis and to talk about the effect of their distressing experiences on their lives, but they did not want to talk about the details of the abuse and did not want to be blamed. Referrers wanted more practical help for the children.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

The study highlights the need to listen to what the child wants from a post-abuse service rather than assuming that this is already known by the referrer or the therapist. It will also help referrers to think clearly about reasons for referral.