Barnardo’s DVRAM Barking & Dagenham Pilot

1. Barnardo’s DVRAMBarking & Dagenham Pilot Emma GrayDomestic Violence & Hate Crime Manager

2. 3,733 incidents of domestic violence reported to the police in 2007/2008 – one of the highest in London. The majority of women discussed at MARAC (very high risk victims) has a child/children or and/or is pregnant. A real need for a tool for all professionals in the children’s workforce to assess risk around domestic violence. The Barking and Dagenham context

3. To help children and young people stay safe and be healthy – to attain all the objectives from Every Child Matters. To increase the competence and confidence of all Children’s Service’s workers in both identifying and dealing with domestic violence. To assist social work staff through monthly mentoring meetings to implement the model into practice. To support staff in thresholding cases using the risk identification scales (evidence-based practice). To ensure there was standard risk assessment tool used in borough To support Children’s Services workforce in Barking & Dagenham in undertaking safety and educative work with non-abusive partners, children and young people. The pilot – objectives

4. Steering Group meetings, chaired by the Director of Safeguarding and Rights, took place monthly from October 2007 to April 2007. 19 Social Workers were trained by Barnardo’s on the core assessment model and safety planning. Five monthly mentoring sessions for the trained Social Workers were provided by Barnardo’s. Risk assessment training seminars for 80+ multi-agency staff on the Multi-Agency Risk Identification Tool (attendees from Schools, CAMHS, YOS, Children’s Centres, Health Visiting, Youth Service). Progress of the pilot

5. Evaluation took place in August 2008. Clear evidence that trained staff in social care and other agencies have improved knowledge base and confidence. Further training required to achieve this across service areas. Monitor compliance with use of risk identification matrix (London Child Protection Procedures). Evaluation

6. Increased staff awareness and understanding of the dynamics of DV and the risks domestic violence presents for children and young people There is clear evidence that staff in social care and other agencies have an improved knowledge base although further more detailed training is required across social care, adult services and management as well as across other agencies to achieve the same knowledge and confidence levels Outcomes Current Position

7. An improvement in Social workers ability to respond more effectively to domestic violence. Social Workers felt that there were a number of key areas where their confidence to respond and the direction it should take was enhanced through the model supported by the training and mentoring. Feedback thus far is that it is more effective in engaging mothers than perpetrators. It could prove a useful tool in identifying unmet need although this may also be source of frustration if left unresolved. Outcomes Current Position

8. Safety planning and risk assessment will enable staff to assess children’s safety in families where domestic violence occurs Staff are very positive about the Risk Identification Scales, DVRAM and safety planning. Whilst there is an enhanced level of domestic violence within the system it is not possible to attribute the increase to the pilot exclusively. Outcomes Current Position

9. Non-abusing parent will be more aware of the risks posed by domestic violence and be able to keep themselves and their child safer More accurate core assessments where domestic violence is intensely assessed This is a very positive area both in terms of staff confidence, mother’s lights being ‘switched on’ and access to local resources (of which there is an enhanced awareness) There has been little application of the DVRAM 9- core areas to date although without any local expectation, mandate or modelling this is hardly surprising. There is confusion about when to use it for fear that others may not be familiar with it or may question a model they have never seen previously. The mapping of parallel assessment tools is needed since the DVRAM is clearly seen as one important tool in a broader armoury. Outcomes Current Position

10. More children and young people will be identified as requiring support and safeguarding Children/ YP and the non-abusive parent will have safety planning interventions aimed at improving their safety. The numbers of children coming into the duty and also the formal child protection system is increasing although one cannot exclusively attribute this increase to the introduction of the model, although the model is certainly structuring and organising the level of need/risk and the required response. Early application is positive although further work is needed to embed this work with children and young people. Outcomes Current Position