How Conflict Between Parents Affects Childrens Mental Health & Development

We would like to invite you to this Amity conference, with the usual passion from founders, Kate and Emily. It will bring together researchers, practitioners, and leaders in children’s services to explore how different forms of conflict between parents from everyday tensions to domestic abuse shape children’s mental health, development, and life chances.

Drawing on the latest research and frontline experience, the event will consider the “silence to violence” spectrum: how children experience these dynamics, and crucially, how earlier and more relational support can make a difference.

All the way from beautiful University of Cambridge, the keynote address will be delivered by Professor Gordon Harold, whose internationally recognised research has deepened understanding of the impact of inter-parental conflict and domestic abuse on children’s outcomes. We will be using Professor Harold’s insights to help us bridge the gap between academic evidence and day-to-day practice.

We are also delighted to welcome the inspirational legal powerhouse that is Jenny Beck KC, who will offer critical legal and practice insights into how systems respond when family relationships become harmful, and what good, child-centred ?decision-making looks like in complex cases.

Alongside these national voices, the conference will showcase innovative examples of good practice from children’s services, including Sheffield and Tameside. These sessions will highlight how areas are translating evidence into action, strengthening assessment, amplifying the voice of the child, and supporting families earlier and more effectively.

By bringing research, law, and lived practice together in one space, Amity aims to equip attendees with greater confidence, clarity, and practical ideas for responding to inter-parental conflict and domestic abuse in ways that better protect and promote children’s mental health and wellbeing.

A small £20 registration fee will be charged; all proceeds from this will be donated to a Sheffield domestic abuse charity supporting children.

The event will also be live streamed for those of you who can’t be there in person but we do hope to see as many smiling faces in Sheffield as possible.

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