Domestic Abuse

 Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Needs Assessment for Sandwell

We were commissioned by Sandwell Council to undertake a needs assessment relating to services for perpetrators of domestic abuse.

This was particularly relevant given changes that had occurred to programmes in the area and region including a new programme via the Police custody suite.

The needs assessment comprised a stakeholder consultation programme, analysis of relevant data along with a good practice review of practice elsewhere. The needs assessment report contained analysis of current services, gaps/need, views on future priorities along with conclusions and recommendations. The analysis looked at referral pathways and entry points for these referrals.

The recommendations included possible options for service development based on the gaps and identified need. The recommendations were grouped under four themes namely: identification and challenge, referral, retention and ongoing duty of care and partnership working.

Domestic Abuse Needs Assessment in Sandwell

We were commissioned to undertake a needs assessment of domestic abuse in Sandwell. This included the statutory requirement to produce a safe accommodation strategy but encompassed a wider assessment of domestic abuse need and provision including perpetrator programmes and provision, criminal justice interventions, early intervention and family support and partnership arrangements. 

A range of datasets were examined such as housing options, social care, children’s services, Police, MARAC and from service providers along with undertaking an extensive consultation programme. 

This consultation programme had at its heart gathering the views and opinions of survivors with their journeys being depicted covering a wide range of experiences resulting in the compilation of a number of journey maps. We also carried out consultations with service providers, commissioners and related organisations including the substance misuse provider in relation to substance misuse and supported accommodation providers with this focus.

A wide variety of conclusions and recommendations were made covering the full range of support and partnership working whilst recognising the good practice also being undertaken.

The end results were the compilation of the needs assessment, strategy (incorporating the safe accommodation section) and related implementation plan.

We have now been commissioned to repeat this process.

Domestic Abuse Needs Assessment in St Helens

We were commissioned to undertake a needs assessment of domestic abuse in St Helens. This included the statutory requirement to produce a safe accommodation strategy but encompassed a wider assessment of domestic abuse need and provision including perpetrator programmes and provision, early intervention, community based services and criminal justice responses. 

A range of datasets were examined such as Police data, MARAC data, social care, housing options and service data along with undertaking an extensive consultation programme. This consultation programme had at its heart gathering the views and opinions of survivors with their journeys being depicted including male survivors. These consultations included many who had experienced substance misuse and some were sourced via specialist substance misuse agencies. We also carried out consultations with service providers, commissioners and related organisations (again including substance misuse organisations).

The end result was the compilation of the needs assessment report both for safe accommodation and wider services and requirements. This included conclusions and recommendations which will be used to update the domestic abuse strategy for the borough.

Needs Assessment of Domestic Abuse Safe Accommodation Provision and Options Analysis in Medway

We were commissioned to undertake a needs assessment in respect of safe accommodation support in relation to domestic abuse in Medway. This needs assessment was completed in response to the Domestic Abuse Act’s requirements to undertake such a study. 

The needs assessment comprised an analysis of a range of datasets in relation to the potential need for accommodation and wider support services. This data collection was based on MHCLG guidance however we went further that those requirements to include a longer timescale and other associated service data. A wide range of data from the council’s homelessness, housing options and rough sleeping teams were provided along with data on the referrals to a range of accommodation (not just safe so including temporary and other supported) and for the Sanctuary Scheme. Police and MARAC data as also examined for the assessment process.

A fundamental element of the needs assessment was undertaking consultations with victims/survivors of domestic abuse to ensure that their lived experiences shaped the work, priorities and final analysis. These were carried out in a variety of ways including telephone and video consultations and an on-line survey. A number of service providers also provided case studies of practice. Many of these experiences were converted into journey maps to depict the support they had received and barriers faced. A variety of experiences were provided covering a number of different demographics both male and female.

We also carried out an extensive consultation phase with other stakeholders including commissioners, service providers both housing providers and of support services and the council housing teams. 

The final needs assessment was provided as a slide pack with notes which included the data analysis and journey maps. Practice from similar areas was included as a comparison based on consultations held. A range of options were provided for future commissioning designed to enhance the local safe accommodation offer. Many of these options have subsequently been commissioned.

   We undertook a review of Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHRs) in the West Midlands. This work was commissioned by Birmingham Community Safety Partnership on behalf of the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner. 

This review assessed the processes used to conduct DHRs across each of the seven local authority areas covering a range of issues. These included author selection, panel management, governance arrangements, partner engagement, process followed, development of actions and recommendations, implementation of actions and learning. The potential for more regional co-operation and sharing of learning along with development of quality standards was also examined. 

As part of the review practice from elsewhere was examined; this being focussed both on similar areas from Core Cities, such as Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire, along with other local authorities highlighted by practitioners. An in-depth examination of recent DHRs and action plans was also undertaken to highlight common themes and issues. This element used a matrix of issues drawn from other research as an assessment method one of which related to MARAC involvement.

We then provided project management and technical assistance support in implementing the findings from this review including providing advice upon developing the procurement exercise for a new panel of authors/chairs across the region, the development of a repository for learning and have developed standard templates for Terms of Reference, Individual Management Reviews and 7-minute briefings for each area.

 We were commissioned by the West Midlands Violence Reduction Unit to carry out a review of the MARAC processes and impacts across the region.

This review had the overall aim of assessing how the MARAC process works and how it contributes towards reducing the risks facing 'high risk' domestic abuse victims. Assessing the outcomes for victims was a central element of the review.

The review mixed analysis of outcomes drawn from case notes and action plans, consultations with local stakeholders involved in the regions 8 MARACs and compilation of good practice from elsewhere.

The final report outlined a potential future model of developing MARACs across the region.

We were then commissioned by the Office of the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner to undertake follow-up work to our earlier MARAC review. 

This involved analysing a dip sample of cases heard at each individual MARAC to determine the impact of the MARAC on these cases. We also re-visited local stakeholders to judge which of the potential models recommended in the previous report they wished to develop further and what the barriers to implementation would be. The best practice examples identified in the previous work were re-visited to examine further lessons learnt.

The final report included the analysis of these elements and outlined a possible West Midlands model for future MARAC operation. This model included key elements to aid implementation along with the proposed operating model.

We undertook a review of the services provided by the Chrysalis Centre for Change in St Helens. This service provides counselling services especially focussed for women how have experienced domestic abuse. 

This review assessed their current services and examined possible improvements. It featured consultations with current and former clients along with representatives from other organisations in St Helens. We also examined relevatn data on service usage.

The final report provided a series of recommendations to enhance future provision including practical measures to improve current delivery.

We undertook a review of domestic abuse services in Falkirk which incorporated an extensive analysis of a variety of datasets relating to need and usage, assessment of delivery models from elsewhere along with an extensive consultation programme. 

The consultation programme included service providers and commissioners but was primarily comprised of service users to capture their lived experiences. The review had an aim to develop options for a future sustainable service model for domestic abuse services in the borough. The services and need examined included those for female, male and LGBT victims of domestic abuse including those who have experienced sexual violence. A cohort approach was followed to ensure that specific issues were uncovered. Additional cohorts explored included leaving care, learning difficulties and substance misuse. The consultation programme deployed a range of methods to ensure that service users/victims were comfortable in providing their experiences. These methods included a variety of face-to-face consultations, facilitated questionnaires undertaken by trusted service provider staff, on-line surveys and the use of case studies.

A range of datasets were examined including that from service providers outlining the usage of services and Police data.

The final report examined current services comprising shortfalls highlighted including via the data analysis. We made recommendations for a future service framework which incorporated the priorities expressed from the consultation programme along with those relating to the strategic infrastructure to support this service implementation. The recommendations related to a wide range of service requirements including prevention and early intervention, referral pathways, crisis response, recovery, self-help and perpetrator management.

 We were commissioned by Liverpool City Council to undertake an extensive analysis of data relating to domestic abuse demand and levels across the city. This review had the aim of developing a new domestic abuse strategy for the city and shaping future service design.

The data reviewed included a wide range of quantitative information along with financial and qualitative data relating both to victims and perpetrators. This data was drawn from a wide range of agencies both statutory and from the voluntary and community sectors. This included police incident data, probation data, data from domestic abuse support agencies, refuges and accommodation providers, adult and child social care and specialist agencies relating to substance misuse, mental health and children and families.

A range of analyses were included in this process including assessing trends, comparing Liverpool with other similar areas, identifying changes in need and demand and exploring the data drivers for demand and risks. A wide range of findings were uncovered, many of which were unknown to commissioners.

The analysis focussed upon a range of specific population groups including protected characteristics. This analysis uncovered a range of issues relating to disability, pregnancy, LGBT, older people, male victims and BME victims. In addition we undertook extensive analysis to assess differences across the city making full use of GIS to probe and display the information.

In addition we undertook a wide-ranging consultation programme with commissioners, service providers, victims and perpetrators. 

These consultations focussed upon uncovering unmet need, identifying issues in service provision including practical issues that affect services and assessing the linkages between services including referral pathways. The consultation methods used included one-to-one interviews, focus groups, facilitated questionnaires and surveys. The focus groups being with both victims and perpetrators were conducted with sensitivity with the material gathered being processed with due care to maintain confidentiality.

The review included specific recommendations relating to improving data collection and management along with key findings that were used to shape domestic abuse services and pathways in the future. For example a finding we made relating to the high level of demand for male victims for supported accommodation led to an expansion of the number of places. This has meant that now 33% of all dispersed accommodation in Liverpool is for male victims.

We undertook work for the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to conduct research and produce a strategy for supporting victims who do not wish to access the Criminal Justice System.

This work focussed on accessing previously untapped data-sources; linking in with community organisations and those providing indirect support to victims of crime along with reflecting the direct views of victims.

We examined why victims of crime choose not to enter the criminal justice system including such key issues as:

• Why people do not report crimes; 
• Why they are not accessing victim support; 
• What does ‘cope and recovery’ look like for those suffering crime? What support are individuals receiving from formal/community/family settings? 
• What barriers/gaps in services exist?

We contacted a wide range of organisations across a broad spectrum of themes and victim needs. A particular focus of this research was to understand the issues above in relation to crime victimisation suffered by specific groups or vulnerabilities (including BME, LGBT, travellers, unemployment, mental health, learning disability, older people, young people, physical disability, homelessness, substance misuse, FGM and domestic abuse). The work examined the extent to which services actually identify whether clients have been victims of crime, make appropriate referral links and also whether this cohort of victims has distinct needs compared with other typologies.

A substantial focus of the work was to examine the experiences of victims/survivors of domestic abuse which was based on areas of the highest incidence across Greater Manchester. This process uncovered issues relating to gang violence, BME victims, controlling behaviour, financial abuse and both male and female victims.

As part of the contact with relevant service providers and community organisation we discussed the potential for uncovering potential datasets, assessing any process issues that prevent victims needs being identified and responded to, and to contact clients themselves to obtain their views.

The overall aim of this work was to identify immediate system changes as well as longer term, social change opportunities which can be implemented both by victims’ services and other organisations. 

The final outputs were the provision of a research report outlining the barriers to accessing services, other services that provide support and outlining needs for future support. In addition we provided a summary slide pack enabling the findings to be disseminated easily to stakeholders and a strategy document outlining key priorities for future commissioning.

The key findings covered a wide range of issues both relating to potential system changes and ways to adapt current services.

 We undertook a consultation and engagement process for GMCA with victims and witnesses of crime. This exercise supported a wider survey being undertaken with the aim being to focus in more depth on listening to the specific experiences of victims of crime. The exercise comprised undertaking a series of consultation events with a variety of victims and witnesses alongside telephone and one-to-one interviews. 

These consultations were focussed on victims from a variety of experiences. The thematic areas covered included people experiencing a number of crimes in a short period of time, victims not reporting crime, victims who had experienced high impact crimes, victims and witnesses who have been through the entire criminal justice process and with specific groups such as older people, young people and victims with learning disability/autism. Victims/survivors of domestic abuse across Greater Manchester formed a substantial proportion of the participants. A wide variety of experiences were highlighted across the whole spectrum of support and recovery needs.

The final report included analysis drawn from these consultations. This analysis included specific elements for each thematic group along with those relevant to all victims.

We have an on-going role in the facilitation of regional alcohol-related assault data capture from Accident and Emergency Departments in Devon and Cornwall, Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin. This work stemmed from an initial commission from Birmingham Community Safety Partnership to undertake a review of alcohol-related assault data collection with a view to developing non-traditional routes of data capture. One primary recommendation was to create a mechanism through which to engage Accident and Emergency reception staff in collating information from assault patients as to the locational and temporal nature of incidents, recognising that the majority are never reported to the Police. This is the case both in relation to the night time economy but also for domestic abuse.

We then created a user-friendly Access database for this purpose, ARID, which was used at that point across the West Midlands. We also developed a specific domestic abuse module for use in Coventry A&E. We still use the ARID system in our current support either as a standalone system or as a way to cleanse data extracted from the hospital’s own systems. 

Our role in each areas which we provide support comprises a variety of elements including the following:

• Database support;
• Training for reception staff in how to obtain assault-related information including that relating to domestic abuse;
• Assault data cleansing and analysis;
• Training for Police and partnerships analysts  in the use of the dataset and the role it can play in problem solving;
• Providing tailored monthly reports including hotspot locations and case studies of practice;
• Providing ad-hoc reports to support local initiatives. These have included analysis undertaken into the patterns of domestic abuse.