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This guidance and information is for professionals working with and supporting people and their families affected by domestic abuse.
It doesn't replace any individual organisation or practitioner's responsibilities for safeguarding and risk management processes. Always consult with your line manager or organisation lead for domestic abuse where you can.
Supporting an individual experiencing domestic abuse
In an emergency call 999.
Make a referral to the Integrated Domestic Abuse Service
Supporting a client to access outreach or refuge can be made by completing the Paragon referral form along with a completed a DASH risk assessment.
Organisations that can help
See organisations that can help people experiencing domestic abuse, including more information on Paragon.
Resources to help you support an individual or family
- Dorset Safeguarding Children's Partnership (DSCP) Multi-Agency Domestic Abuse Toolkit
- SafeLives Resource Hub
- Respect website
- Advice on housing options for those that have experienced domestic abuse
- Awareness courses for survivors of domestic abuse
- Clare's Law (Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme)
- Dorset Domestic Abuse Strategy
Multi-agency High Risk Domestic Abuse (HRDA) process
HRDA (High Risk Domestic Abuse) is a local, multi-agency, whole family focused process where information is shared on the highest risk cases of domestic violence and abuse between different statutory and voluntary sector agencies. HRDA brings together daily practitioner meetings and a monthly management meeting.
Find out about HRDA and how to make a referral. This includes guidance on how to complete a SafeLives DASH (Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Honour Based Violence) risk assessment.
Safeguarding
It's important to always consider and follow your organisations safeguarding policies and procedures.
Tell us if you are:
Find out about the Dorset Safeguarding Adults Board and Dorset Safeguarding Children Partnership (DSCP).
Support for people using unsafe or unhealthy behaviours
This section provides organisations and practitioners with an overview of domestic abuse perpetrator programmes and interventions available across the Dorset Council area.
This does not replace individual organisation or practitioners responsibilities for safeguarding or risk management processes. Always consult with your organisation's policies and procedures, line manager, and domestic abuse lead if available.
Further information on domestic abuse perpetrator programmes can be found on the RESPECT website.
Conditional cautions with the condition for the offender to attend the Cautioning And Relationship Abuse workshops.
Conditional cautions with the condition for the offender to attend the Cautioning And Relationship Abuse workshops enables the offender to be held accountable for their actions in a proportionate and meaningful way whilst respecting the views of the victim. The workshops allow the offender to reflect on their behaviour and access wider support services.
The course aims to:
- reflect on offence and journey to Cautioning And Relationship Abuse
- gain understanding of what domestic abuse is
- understand the effects of domestic abuse on themselves and victims
- recognise the damaging effects of domestic abuse on children
- establish personal risk factors, short term time out strategies and safe conflict within an intimate relationship
- identify future goals and strategies following Cautioning And Relationship Abuse
- actively engage in discussions around accessing other services such as perpetrator programmes, mental health, substance use and counselling
Who it's for
- adult males 18 and over
- no previous convictions or cautions for domestic abuse in the previous two years
- relationship between parties: Present or past intimate partners only
- eligible offences: minor assaults categorised by law as common assault and battery, criminal damage, harassment, threatening behaviour, domestic theft related offences
- admission and (Crown Prosecution Service agree overwhelming evidence is present) no possibility of an offence
- past minor convictions permitted unless offender is currently serving a community-based sentence or order
- DASH risk assessment assesses risk to victim as standard or medium
- victim contacted and agrees for partner to attend workshops - no specific risk for the conditional caution to be issued. The final decision will always rest with the police supervisor or CP
How to make a referral
Referrals into Project CARA Cautioning And Relationship Abuse are internal Dorset Police only.
A therapeutic ‘behaviour change’ programme to support individuals in recognising and managing thoughts and feelings and having healthier relationships.
Who it's for
Parents or carers who have unhealthy relationships with children, partners, family members, professionals or other adults; where there is parental conflict or low risk domestic abuse. It is also suitable for children or young people who are using unhealthy behaviours towards parents, siblings, friends, other children or other adults.
How to make a referral
The Up2U Family Practice Model is available for individuals already being supporting within Children's Services. For enquiries, speak to a team manager within the locality to discuss further.
If you're working with an individual who doesn't currently have a social worker or family worker, and who you feel would benefit from the Up2u Family Practice Model, use the following contact details to discuss further.
East/Purbeck/North Localities
Tracey Connelly
tracey.connelly@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
01202 225761
Chesil/West/Dorchester Localities
Samantha Robinson
Samantha.robinson@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
01305 221440
A programme for people who use domestically abusive behaviours in their intimate partner relationships.
Up2U is an assessment led intervention programme responding to individual need, risk and responsivity by offering tailored packages of support.
Who it's for
As Up2U is a needs-based intervention, the programme can be tailored to work with both males and females from the age of 16 and can be delivered to people who use domestically abusive behaviours in same sex relationships. When someone is accepted onto Up2U, support is offered to their partner/ex-partner to ensure ongoing safety and risk management. To be eligible for referral, a person must accept that they use abusive or unhealthy behaviours in their relationship and want to change these behaviours.
How to make a referral
Referrals should go to the central referral centre at Up2U@bcpcouncil.gov.uk.
You can discuss a referral by contacting the Up2u Creating Health Relationships worker:
Chesil, Dorchester and West Dorset Localities
Tracey Edwards
tracey.edwards@bcpcouncil.gov.uk
0746744219
North Dorset, East Dorset and Purbeck Localities
A group work behaviour change programme.
The programme consists of 11 modules amounting to approximately 28 weeks. The material is comprised of a core block of modules including the impact of abuse on children, parenting at various developmental stages, jealousy, sexual issues, anger and women’s anger as well as other core subjects.
Who it's for
Males who are responsible for domestic abuse or violence towards their female partners and ex-partners. Regular support is offered to the partner or ex, in partnership with our Relate partner support worker.
How to make a referral
Make a referral to Choose 2 Change by calling 01305 897432 or by emailing C2C@relatedorset.org.uk.
A 1:1 behaviour change programme.
The programme consists of 8 modules amounting to approximately 15 weeks.
Who it's for
Females who are responsible for domestic abuse and/or violence towards their male partners and ex-partners.
How to make a referral
Make a referral into Time 2 Change by calling 01305 897432 or by emailing C2C@relatedorset.org.uk.
A multi-agency panel that discusses and puts plans in place for cases of high risk domestic abuse, stalking and sexual violence perpetrators.
The High Harm Perpetrator Panel (HHPP) is a multi-agency 'tasking and coordination' group in relation to the most harmful and serial domestic abuse perpetrators, stalking perpetrators, and perpetrators that have repeatedly displayed sexually harmful behaviours.
The High Harm Perpetrator Panel (HHPP) targets the perpetrators that cause the most harm to the most victims and children. The overall aim is to protect victims and children from harm by encouraging offender behaviour change and disrupting perpetrator ability to commit further offences.
Who it's for
High Harm Perpetrator Panel (HHPP) is a multi-agency panel that discusses cases of the high risk: domestic abuse, stalking, and sexually harmful (adult) perpetrators. A multi-agency plan is put in place for each case heard to minimise risk of further abuse, minimise reoffending and robustly manage enforcement. Those deemed to have the highest level of risk are also allocated an offender manager to provide a direct impact on prevention, diversion, intervention and enforcement.
How to make a referral
Referrals to the High Harm Perpetrator Panel (HHPP) can be made via HRDA (High Risk Domestic Abuse), Stalking Clinic, Probation and Dorset Police.
Restorative justice enables everyone affected by a particular incident to play a part in repairing the harm and finding a positive way forward.
Restorative Justice processes bring those harmed by crime and those responsible for the harm into communication with each other, enabling everyone affected by a particular incident to play a part in repairing the harm and finding a positive way forward.
Who it's for
Restorative Justice offers victims an opportunity to be heard and to have their say in the resolution of harm caused, including agreeing restorative or reparative activity on the part of the offender.
Restorative Justice has a proven, significant impact in supporting victims in achieving closure and allowing them to move on with their lives. 85% of victims who have participated in Restorative Justice would recommend it to others.
For offenders, Restorative Justice provides an opportunity to face the consequences of their actions, recognising the impact that their offending behaviour has had upon others and, where possible, make amends.
Referrals for restorative justice involving incidents of domestic abuse are only considered if they are victim initiated.
There must be an identifiable victim, an identified harmer or charged offender, and an admission of responsibility or a guilty plea/finding of guilt if the case is proceeding through the courts system.
No offence is excluded but all cases are subject to a multi-agency risk assessment as to suitability for a Restorative Justice intervention.
The service is free of charge, voluntary and impartial. If a victim or offender is being supported by a CJS agency or partner we will update that organisation about the outcomes of Restorative Justice activities and involve them in any suitable assessment where parties consent to engage and share information
How to make a referral
If you would like to find out more, to arrange a briefing or awareness raising session for your organisation, or to make a referral, contact the Restorative Justice team:
- phone: 07535 692669 or 07535 692584
- email: RJDorset@restorativesolutions.org.uk
- secure email: RJDorset@restoraitvesolutions.org.uk.cjsm.net
- visit the Restorative Justice website