Title: Domestic Violence and the risk it poses for children and young people
1- Domestic Violence and the risk it poses for
children and young people - Increase knowledge regarding identification,
assessment and disclosure -
- Domestic Violence Risk Assessment Model (DVRAM)
which incorporates Risk Identification Matrix
(DVRIM) implemented within London Safeguarding
Boards procedure- Safeguarding Children Abused
through Domestic Violence Maddie
BellDomestic Violence Consultant e mail
maddie.bell_at_barnardos.org.uk - www.londonscb.gov.uk
2Barnardos Domestic Violence Risk Assessment
Model (DVRAM) which has developed DVRIM -
Domestic Violence Risk Identification Matrix
- Background
- Adapted from a manual produced by the Ontario
Ministry of Community and Social Services in
Canada - Piloted with Social Care Trusts in Northern
Ireland over a 5 year period supported by the
Domestic Violence Regional Steering Group-Support
for Childrens Evaluated by Martin Calder
(London and NI.)
3Barnardos Domestic Violence Risk Assessment
Model which has developed DVRIM
- Principles of the Model
- Protecting children is the first priority
- Protecting the non-abusing parent usually the
mother helps - protect the child
- Providing supportive resources
- Perpetrators are responsible for their abusive
behaviour - Respecting the non-abusing parents right to
direct their life - without placing children at increase risk of
further abuse.
4London Safeguarding Board Policy Safeguarding
Children Abused Through Domestic Violence
- London Safeguarding Board in its policy document
Safeguarding Children Abused through Domestic
Violence. Barnardos Domestic Violence Risk
Identification Matrix is a key multi-agency
assessment tool in assessing the level of risk to
children who experience domestic violence. - The Matrix has been designed to work in
conjunction with CAF, SPECSS, MARAC, CAADA and
MASRAM.
5What was the familys experience of domestic
violence? London Serious Case Reviews
- Mother was suffering or had suffered domestic
violence (56) - The percentage of child protection cases
involving domestic violence 52 - Nearly 75 of children on the CPR live in
households where domestic violence occurs
6Shaken Babies
- Shaken baby cases where domestic violence was
present 66 - In the remaining 33 of cases there was no
information to indicate whether or not domestic
violence was present - In the cases where the child was scalded by the
mother, there was significant domestic violence
7Serious case review research PHYSICAL ASSAULT
AND HEAD INJURIES IN BABIES Factors linked to
the childs father
- There was domestic violence in most of the
households where children were living (see
environmental features) and this was most often
linked directly to the childs father (or their
mothers partner) who often had a history of
living in a violent household as a child. - Where information was recorded about fathers or
father figures, behavioural problems in childhood
were common. Current links with probation and
mental health agencies were more frequent than
links with childrens social care. - For some fathers there was a past history of
contact with childrens social care.
8Serious case review researchPHYSICAL ASSAULT AND
HEAD INJURIES IN BABIES Factors linked to the
childs mother
- A history of witnessing domestic violence in
childhood, sometimes, but not always, linked to
parental separation. - Current or recent domestic violence, including
domestic violence during pregnancy, sometimes
requiring hospital admission. - The effects of domestic violence on the child
were minimised by the mother. - Significant maternal illness during pregnancy,
including illness requiring hospital admission,
sometimes including discharging self against
medical advice. - For some a history of mental health
difficulties. Past but rarely current involvement
with childrens social care, CAMHS, or other
mental health services.
- A minority had a known history of sexual abuse.
- Some had learning difficulties or SEN statements
when at school, and some were aggressive/violent
at school and/or at home. - Some young mothers were described as immature,
in comparison with other young mothers, with many
having poor temper control. - Concerted efforts to conceal identity and
whereabouts, for example moving frequently and
changing name several times. - Partner or father is an adult who poses a risk
to a child (known as schedule 1 offender).
9Serious Case Review Research Eco-Transactional
Factors
- Understanding Interaction of risk factors is
Key -
- This is difficult for the medical and health care
staff as there will be patchy information about
parents and environmental factors.
10Interacting risk factors an Ecological-transacti
onal perspective
- Importance of understanding parental psychology
- 2. Importance of historical context and a
dynamic, analytical assessment (not incident
driven) - 3. Consider dynamics of engagement with
professionals (resistance, uncooperative)
11Barnardos Domestic Violence Risk Assessment
Model (DVRAM)- Incorporates Four Tools
- Multi-agency Domestic Violence Risk
Identification Matrix in the format of 4
threshold scales (DVRIM) links to CAF and
MARAC assessment processes - Social Care Initial Assessment (DVRAM) Sect. 17
47 to include Children's Safety Assessment (to
be piloted in NI in 2009/10) - Social Care Core Assessment (DVRAM)- Sect.47
- Safety intervention with children and mothers
- Mentoring support group work programme for
social care staff to support implementation of
models tools six months duration
12London Safeguarding Domestic Violence policy
implementing Barnardos Domestic violence
multi-agency Risk Assessment Matrix
- Objectives of DVRIM
- To assist multi-agency and social care staff to
identify risks to - children from domestic violence
- To assist multi-agency and social care staff in
decisions - whether a case presents as in need of a
safeguarding response - or family support
- To help staff to make appropriate interventions
for children, - non-abusing parent and perpetrators
- To provide a specific domestic violence risk
assessment - format within initial and core assessments
within social care - To provide a model of safety intervention work
for women - and children
13Identifying Children in Need using CAFDomestic
Violence impacts on at least 80 of assessment
areas in childs developmental needs, parenting
capacity and family and environmental factors
Basic care
Health
Education
Ensuring Safety
Emotional Behavioural needs
Emotional Warmth
Child in Need Safeguarding and Promoting
Their Welfare
Identity
Childs Developmental Needs
Parenting Capacity
Stimulation
Family Social Relationships
Social Presentation
Guidance Boundaries
Stability
Self Care Skills
Family Environmental Factors
Community Resources
Familys Social Integration
Income
Wider Family
Family History Functioning
Employment
Housing
14Common Assessment Framework (CAF)
15High risk factors within the Matrix are built on-
- References/Influential Research Practice
Consultancy - Victim Focussed Risk Factors - Guidance on Investigating Domestic Violence 2005
- produced on behalf of the Association of Chief
Police - Officers by the National Centre for Police
Excellence - MPS Metropolitan Police Service Risk Assessment
Model for - Domestic Violence
- These factors are based on research and analysis
conducted - by the Understanding and Responding to Hate
Crime Team, - 2001 and on SARA (Spousal Assault Risk
Assessment) -
- SARA (Spousal Assault Risk Assessment ) developed
by - R.Kropp
- CAADA and MARAC ( former Cardiff police Domestic
Abuse Report) Initial Risk Assessment- SPECSS,
CUSSCAAM
16High risk factors within the Matrix are built on-
- Child Focussed Risk Factors
- Evidence based practice NI and London (
Barnet)-application of risk assessment
threshold scales to over 250 - social work cases.
- Serious Case Review Research UK June 2007-M.
Brandon and - London Serious Case Reviews 2007
- M. Calder Consultancy on domestic violence risk
factors - within ethnic minority groups
- C. Bell Towards an empirical basis for Domestic
Violence - Risk Assessment. In Assessment in Kinship Care,
by Talbot, C - Calder, M (2006)
- CAF common assessment framework
17Barnardo's Multi-Agency Domestic Violence Risk
Identification Matrix (DVRIM) within the new
London procedures-Safeguarding Children Abused
Through Domestic Violence
- A multi-agency assessment framework which
assesses the - level of risk to a child/young person who is
experiencing - domestic violence in their family using a four
levels threshold - scale matrix (section 9.2 of London
procedures) - It also assesses the level of risk to the
mother- incorporating - adult focussed risk factors from SPECSS and
MARAC - (section 9)
- It identifies the nature and level of the
perpetrator's violence - and abuse (supports Section 9-1-4)
- It indicates the level of intervention required
to support and - safeguard children and in doing so also can be
used to protect - mother ( section 9.2)
- It begins to examine the impact of the domestic
violence on - the child and mother
- ( section 8 and 9)
18Responding to Domestic Violence where there are
no children in the household
- Establish if woman is a vulnerable adult
refer to POVA - procedures
- Use risk identification matrix to assess the
level of risk of - harm to woman
- Refer the woman to local DV agency if risk of
harm is at - threshold 3 consider making a referral into
the MARAC - process and threshold 4 make referral to
MARAC
19London Safeguarding Procedures for Multi-Agency
Risk Identification Matrix (DVRIM)
- Each threshold scale has categories to assist
the professional - to think through what the information they
have is about - Evidence of domestic violence-this is the
most significant - determinate of the scales attention to
severity, frequency, - pattern and duration of domestic violence
incident - Characteristics of the child or situation
which are additional - risk factors/potential vulnerabilities
these are factors that may - increase the risk to children
- Characteristics of the child or situation
which are protective - factors. Professionals should keep in mind
that protective - factors may help to mitigate risk factors
and potential - vulnerabilities
- The matrix also identifies the risks to mothers
and enhances the use of SPECCS, MARAC and MASRAM
processes
20London Safeguarding Procedures for Multi-Agency
Risk Identification Matrix (DVRIM)
- The younger the child(ren) the higher the risk to
their safety. Any child aged under 7 or child
with special needs in the family can raise the
threshold to scale 3/4 as child(ren) may be
potentially at risk of significant harm and
referral into Social Care for section 17 or
section 47 WHY? - Young children have no or extremely limited
self-protection strategies and they seek out
mothers comfort when anxious/upset-they are
often caught up or come down into the DV
incident. - Older children can develop short-term coping
strategies that may keep them safe in the short
term but all children suffer from potential or
actual emotional abuse. - All children who experience DV in their families
are exposed to hostile/tense family environments,
AND they can directly witness, intervene or be
directly physically abused or sexually abused - Child who summons help are at increased risk as
they may be punished by abuser for calling in
professional help.
21Factors that increase vulnerability/ level of
risk to child
- Duration of the domestic violence incident
- Severity of the domestic violence and abuse
- Age of children and age range of children within
the family - Children under 12 months including an unborn
child-even if - the child was not present, any single incident
of DV will fall - within scale 4-Section 47 enquiry - referral to
LA childrens - social care
- Children or a mother with special needs- (mother
may be a - vulnerable adult - consult POVA)
- Interlinking risk factors/cluster effect
substance misuse, - mental health issues, neglect/parenting issues,
age and age - disparities of mother/father/father figure/adult
learning difficulties - Vulnerable history of both women and abuser
- Child/ren or mothers from a BMER community
- Child/ren being physically and sexually abused
- Child/ren may be perpetrating abuse towards other
family members
22Risk Identification Matrix
- Threshold scales 1 and 2 assess the domestic
abuse as moderate and family support is deemed
the supportive intervention. An assessment may be
completed one each child in family/household. -
- Scale 2 has a specific risk factor regarding the
age of - children living in the family the age of the
child - increases the level of risk and can raise the
threshold - scale for the family to scale 3.
23Risk Identification Matrix
- Scales 3 and 4 assesses the severity of
domestic violence as serious and severe with
increasing concern regarding childrens well
being due to additional contributory risk factors - An assessment is required-Level 3 section 17
and level 4 Section 47 - At level 3 safeguarding procedures may be
initiated
24DVRAM Tool Two Social Care Domestic Violence
Initial Assessment tool
- Area 1 ASSESS THE NATURE OF THE DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE - Guidance Triggers
- Severity of the incidents - Pattern, frequency
and duration/process of domestic violence-not
isolate incident - Perpetrators level of dangerous weapons,
criminal history ( refer to threshold scales) - Is mother pregnant?
- Escalation of abuse-separation violence,
stalking/harassment and use of isolation. - Is there protracted custody and contact disputes
- Prior evidence of victim or perpetrator being in
an abusive relationship - Use of separation violence/retaliation
abusive/threatening behaviour of perpetrator - Co-existence of child abuse, child sexual abuse,
parental mental health problems, substance misuse - Parental learning difficulties
25DVRAM Tool Two Social Care Domestic Violence
Initial Assessment tool
- Area 2 ASSESS RISKS TO CHILDREN/YOUNG PEOPLE
- Guidance Triggers
- Age range of children under 7 yrs (young
children/children with special needs increases
risk) How where children caught up in the abuse,
directly witnessed, intervened, coerced into
abuse of mother, summoned help?- children who
summons help are at an increased risk of further
abuse from perpetrator/mother - .Childs demeanours i.e.. duration of incident,
childs actions during incident, impact on child
(aftermath of incident-days following) - Evidence of child being exposed to domestic
violence-changes in childs demeanour/behaviour
self harm, exhibiting distracted behaviours (lack
of concentration), aggressive, concerning
behaviour, young carer responsibilities ,child
neglect, bulling or being bullied, over-eager to
be and remain in school - BMER ( black,minority,ethnic,refugee) issues
causing concern in childs current family
circumstances
26DVRAM Tool Two Social Care Domestic Violence
Initial Assessment tool
- Area 3 ASSESS PROTECTIVE FACTORS
- Guidance Triggers
- Womans acknowledges risks to self and children
- Woman is receptive to supportive services is
risk level is high woman will separate and go to
safe accommodation - Significant safe other/positive family support
- Perpetrator has made initial attempts to be
accountable for his abusive behaviour
compliant, unsure of motivation to seek
appropriate help - Protective orders in place/being sought but
recent separation does not guarantee safety
risk of separation violence, retaliation violence
or reconciliation - Risk matrix scale level and summary of risk
factors identified in family
27DVRAM Tool Three Domestic Violence Core
Assessment Tool for social care staff undertaking
section 17 and section 47 Enquires
28Domestic Violence Core Assessment Nine
assessment areas
- Assess the nature of the violence
- Assess risks to the children posed by the
perpetrator - Assess the risk of life-threatening abuse
- Assess the perpetrators pattern of assault and
coercive behaviours. - Assess the impact of the violence on the children
- Assess the impact of the abuse on the woman
- Assess the impact of the abuse on parenting roles
- Assess protective factors
- Assess the outcome of the womans past help
seeking
29Mentoring Programme for DVRAM
- Mentoring programme for DVRAM provided input on
- Engaging with perpetrator-guidance for social
care staff undertaking an initial interview with
an abuser - Childrens resilience-guidance on variation of
impact on child/ren and possible resilient
factors - A framework for assessing female use of violence
within an intimate adult relationship. - Parenting style of an abuser an assessment of an
abusers parenting role - These additional frameworks need to be developed
as appendixes to the DVRAM core assessment tool
30DVRAMs Tool Four Safety Interventions with
Women and Children/Young People-a Parallel
Intervention
31Safety Planning- steps with women
- 1. Personnel safety when he is threatening or
being violent. - 2. Personnel safety when preparing to leave.
- 3. Personnel safety when you are no longer living
with with your abusive partner. - 4. Personnel safety and your emotional health.
32Safety Steps
- 5. Personnel safety when you are working/in
public. - 6. Personnel safety when you are using
alcohol/drugs. - 7. Personnel safety with orders of protection.
- 8. Personnel safety and my children.
33Safety Planning with Children 5yrs to 12 yrs
using talking pictures-for both front line staff
and supportive DV services
34Childrens Safety Steps
- Sometimes things are OK
- in my family but sometimes
- my parents fight and my dad
- hurts my mum.
35Childrens Safety Steps
I can keep myself safe when dad hurts mum by
staying in my bedroom
36Childrens Safety Steps
- Keeping myself safe by
- staying out of dad and
- mums fights
37Key Safety Messages to Children
- Child is not to blame when dad hits mum
- Domestic violence is not childrens fault. It is
an adult problem. Child need to go to a safe
place when dad is hurting mum - Mum wants you to go to your safe place
- Stay out of the fights as dad could hurt you too
- Children who summons help use of mobile
phone-Professionals be aware that child can be
punished for summoning help by parents so must
seek mothers consent to teach child how to use
999 in their safety plan - Children dont have to keep secrets when they are
being hurt and abused - Children dont have to keep secrets when they are
feeling scared - Just because mum argues with dad or dad feels
angry with mum,doesnt make it OK for him to hit
her.
38Barnardo's DVRIM with London procedures and DVRAM
within Social Care-Benefits
- Increased staff awareness and understanding of
the dynamics of DV and the risks it poses for
children, young people and victims - An improvement in social workers ability to
respond more effectively to domestic violence and
assess risks to children and young people - Increased safety measures for children and young
people in families where domestic violence occurs - Non-abusing parent will be more aware of the
risks posed by domestic violence which can
enable the non-abusing parent to keep themselves
and their children safer. - More accurate risk assessments within core and
initial assessment processes - More children will be identified requiring
support. - Children/ YP and the non-abusive parent will
learn skills to keep themselves safe - Parallel domestic violence risk assessment
process alongside adult risk assessment model
matches up with MARAC SPECCS and CAADA assessment - It is an holistic assessment model
- Users perspective on the impact of the assessment
tool would be beneficial
39Barnardo's DVRIM with London procedures and DVRAM
within Social Care-Benefits
- More comprehensive assessment of families
- Provides a consistent framework to assessing
level of risk - Increase safeguarding of children with greater
informed - decision making.
- Greater focus on the needs of children and
victims - Offers holistic support to families
- Greater support to staff dealing with domestic
violence cases - It enhances the assessment process within CAF as
a specific - risk assessment tool for domestic violence
- It supports the five outcomes within Every Child
Matters - Maintains the focus of domestic violence as a
main concern - within the assessment framework without
marginalising any - other significant concern
40New Risk Factors identified in DVRIM this year
in NI as it develops and is implemented within
social care assessment processes
- Child who summons help use of 999 AND Child who
discloses domestic violence may be at risk of
adverse reaction (be punished) by abusive
father/father figure - and also mother for summoning help - needs a
section 47 response from Social Care - Use of social care complaints procedures to
obstruct social care assessment and monitoring
work- is a another contributing risk factor to
Agency Assessment Paralysis a risk factor
identified in serious case review research.
41Specific risk considerationsto be developed as
appendixto DVRIM
- Risk factors associated with Female use of
- physical violence
- Risk factors associated with female
perpetrators of - Domestic violence abuse
- Risk factors associated with same-sex domestic
violence - Risk factors associated with young people
perpetrators - of domestic violence
- Risk factors associated with domestic violence
and - contact considerations
- Risk factors associate with domestic violence
in pre-birth risk assessments