The Resolutions Approach to Working with Complex Disputed Child Abuse
In child protection work we constantly face the challenge of professionals having concerns about child abuse that is disputed by the parents. The dispute may involve professional concerns about adult behaviours that professionals see as drug addiction, mental illness, sexual abuse, violent, coercive or neglect. Typically, we call these ‘denial’ cases which can absorb considerable time often taken up in arguing with parents and can often be exhausting for professionals.
The Resolutions family therapy model created and developed by English social workers Susie Essex, John Gumbleton and Colin Luger is designed to bring a Safety organised approach to these disputed situations, bypassing the dispute - organising all of the practice [the parents, the children and naturally connected safety] around the question, ‘given the professional concerns and whether you agree or not, would you be willing to work with us to show everyone nothing like this could happen in the future?
The Resolutions approach offers specific tools and skills in assessment, engagement, explanations for the children, talking about the alleged abuse through similar but different or hypothetical conversations, involving a safety network, comprehensive safety planning and reunification.
Along with Susie Essex, Andrew is the co-author of 'Working with situations of ‘denied’ child abuse: the Resolutions approach' first printed in 2006.
In the 20 years since then Andrew has traveled the globe conducting onsite training with regional child protection authorities in the methods and practices of the Resolutions approach.
Resolutions Approach Online Training
Each calendar year Andrew offers four exclusive five week online courses providing a comprehensive introduction to the Resolutions approach.
The number of attendees for each workshop is strictly limited.
Over 300 Certified Practitioners have been trained and mentored online by Andrew in the Resolutions approach since its introduction in mid-2023.
UK Councils that have taken advantage of this online delivery option include
Barnsley
Bath & North East Somerset
Carmarthenshire
Derby
Gateshead
North Lincolnshire
North Tyneside
Southampton
York
Here's what a recent participant has said about their online learning experience (See on LinkedIn)
The 2026 Online Training Program
Dates and Registration details for the upcoming training sessions are listed below
Working with ‘denied’ child abuse: the Resolutions approach - Feb 2026Tue, 10 FebOnline Training- Working with ‘denied’ child abuse: the Resolutions approach - April 2026Tue, 21 AprOnline Training
Belonging-focused Foster CareThu, 21 MayOnline Training
Individual, Consultation, Supervision and Support in the Resolutions Approach
Andrew offers consultation, supervision and support for professionals is use of the Resolutions approach in:
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Expert Assessments regarding the appropriateness of using the Resolutions Approach in a particular case (usually prepared for Courts)
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Expert Reunification Assessment when using the Resolutions Approach (or any reunification method)
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Applying part or all elements of the Resolutions approach with Families and their Network to build and secure lasting safety for children in situations of disputed child abuse and neglect.
Contact Andrew directly for information and discuss your requirements at andrew@born2belong.com
Resolutions References
Essex, S., Gumbleton, J. and Luger, C. (1996) Resolutions: Working with Families where responsibility for abuse is denied, Child Abuse Review 5: 191-202.
Essex, S. and Gumbleton, J. (1999) Similar but different conversations; working with denial in cases of severe child abuse, Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy 20(3): 139-148.
Gumbleton, J. and Lusk, A. (1999) Child abuse: rehabilitation without admission - a new way forward, Family Law, 29: 822-825.
Hiles, M., Essex, S., Fox, A. and Luger, C. (2008). The ‘words and pictures’ storyboard: making sense for children and families. Context, 97: 10-16.
Smulian, M. (2021). Family Court judge issues ruling to highlight successful use of “Resolutions Model”. https://www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk/child-protection/392-children-protection-news/47590-family-court-judge-issues-ruling-to-highlight-successful-use-of-resolutions-model
Turnell A. and Essex S. (2006). Working with situations of ‘denied’ child abuse: the Resolutions approach. Buckingham: Open University Press.
Turnell A. and Essex S. (2013). It takes a village: placing grandparents and extended family at the centre of safeguarding vulnerable children, in David Pitcher (ed.) Inside kinship care: understanding family dynamics and providing effective support, London: Jessica Kingsley.