Reading List

A curated Reading List to support and extend learning from Domestic Abuse, Coercive Control, and Adults at Risk for Residential Care Staff.

This course uses a UK-wide practice approach. England-specific adult safeguarding and CQC links are included because many care homes use those frameworks. Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland have separate adult protection, domestic abuse, and referral arrangements; use the links below to align the course principles with your local nation and pathway.

1. England Care Setting Guidance

• Home Office - Domestic Abuse Act 2021: statutory guidance
  The main official guidance on the domestic abuse definition, forms of abuse, agency response, adult social care, multi-agency working, and support pathways. Useful for understanding where coercive control, economic abuse, and adult safeguarding overlap.
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/domestic-abuse-act-2021/domestic-abuse-statutory-guidance-accessible-version

• GOV.UK - Care and support statutory guidance
  Chapter 14 sets out England adult safeguarding: the safeguarding threshold, categories of abuse and neglect, information sharing, advocacy, and multi-agency duties where an adult with care and support needs may be experiencing domestic abuse.
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/care-act-statutory-guidance/care-and-support-statutory-guidance

• NICE - Safeguarding adults in care homes (NG189)
  Care-home-focused guidance covering indicators of abuse and neglect, immediate actions, recording and reporting, and the reminder that domestic abuse may continue via visitors, family members, or carers.
  https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng189

• CQC - Regulation 13: Safeguarding service users from abuse and improper treatment
  CQC's regulatory guidance on abuse, neglect, degrading treatment, unlawful restraint, and the provider duty to act without delay when abuse is suspected, reported, or discovered.
  https://www.cqc.org.uk/guidance-regulation/providers/regulations-service-providers-and-managers/health-social-care-act/regulation-13

2. Recognising Coercive Control and Finding Help

• Home Office - Controlling or coercive behaviour: statutory guidance framework
  An official guide to coercive control in England and Wales, including how controlling behaviour can continue after separation and without cohabitation. Helpful for recognising hidden patterns of fear and domination.
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/controlling-or-coercive-behaviour-statutory-guidance-framework/controlling-or-coercive-behaviour-statutory-guidance-framework-accessible

• GOV.UK - Domestic abuse: how to get help
  A practical page on signs of domestic abuse, emergency advice, national helplines, support routes, and the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme. Useful for staff signposting and for understanding official support options.
  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/domestic-abuse-how-to-get-help

3. Wales

• GOV.WALES - Safeguarding adults at risk of abuse or neglect
  The Welsh entry point for adult safeguarding practice and procedures. Use this if your service, commissioning, or referral pathway sits within Wales.
  https://www.gov.wales/safeguarding-adults-risk-abuse-or-neglect

• GOV.WALES - Identifying violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence: Ask and Act
  Wales-specific professional guidance on recognising abuse, asking safely where appropriate, and acting through the correct support routes under Welsh VAWDASV expectations.
  https://www.gov.wales/identifying-violence-against-women-domestic-abuse-and-sexual-violence-ask-and-act

• Live Fear Free - Domestic abuse in Wales
  Welsh Government support information for people affected by domestic abuse, including the Live Fear Free helpline. Useful for safe signposting alongside safeguarding procedures.
  https://www.gov.wales/live-fear-free/domestic-abuse-wales

4. Scotland

• Scottish Government - Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007: Code of Practice
  The main code of practice for Scotland's adult protection framework. Scotland uses different duties, powers, principles, and expectations for adult participation than the Care Act framework.
  https://www.gov.scot/publications/adult-support-protection-scotland-act-2007-code-practice-3/

• mygov.scot - Domestic abuse: support
  A Scotland-facing page on safety, reporting, support options, and rights. Useful for staff and managers seeking official Scottish routes to domestic abuse services.
  https://www.mygov.scot/domestic-abuse

5. Northern Ireland

• Department of Health NI - Adult Safeguarding: Prevention and Protection in Partnership
  The main Northern Ireland adult safeguarding policy framework. Useful for understanding different terminology and expectations for adults at risk of harm in NI.
  https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/articles/adult-safeguarding-prevention-and-protection-partnership

• nidirect - Who to contact if you suspect abuse, exploitation or neglect
  A practical Northern Ireland page explaining emergency police response and the Adult Protection Gateway Service. Helpful for referral awareness where services or resident links are in NI.
  https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/who-contact-if-you-suspect-abuse-exploitation-or-neglect

• legislation.gov.uk - Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act (Northern Ireland) 2021
  The primary legislation for Northern Ireland's domestic abuse offence, including recognition of abusive behaviour patterns. Useful when checking the legal framework that differs from England and Wales.
  https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nia/2021/2/contents

Use this list to deepen your knowledge of domestic abuse, coercive control, adult safeguarding thresholds, care-home duties, safe signposting, and the different referral and legal frameworks across the four nations.