Risk assessment and interventions for victims of domestic abuse: consultation response analysis

Question 1: Training

The first question in this consultation asked:

How can we ensure training on domestic abuse and appropriate risk assessment tools for public bodies, agencies and services staff?

The responses broadly covered two main themes: what the outcomes of the training should be, and practicalities about its delivery. Comments on the practicalities of the training addressed:

• Who the training should be for;
• What the training should look like;
• How training should be delivered;
• Where it should be delivered;
• And how often it should take place.

1. Outcomes of the training

Better understanding of domestic abuse

Many comments suggested that a key aim of training should be to promote improved understanding of domestic abuse, so that responses would be more informed. Specifically, elements of domestic abuse that responses felt should be better understood include:

• its complexities and dynamics
• how to recognise it
• what the impacts are, not only on the victim but also the rest of the family
• what appropriate responses to domestic abuse might look like.

Comments also suggested that this should encourage a ‘culture change’ so that domestic abuse is accepted as everyone’s concern.

Several responses suggested that it is particularly important for training to improve understanding of, and response to, coercive control. Some responses noted that it is important that coercive control is understood as well as physical abuse, and not automatically considered as less serious. Comments highlighted that training on coercive control should cover:

• the nature of coercive control as a pattern of abuse intended to control a partner or ex-partner
• the forms that coercive control can take
• the constricted choices that victims can consequently face
• the risks and harm that victims can face
• the importance of non-judgemental responses from services and professionals.

Shared understanding of a multi-agency working model

The importance of achieving a common understanding of the purpose and processes of the agreed-upon multi-agency working model was highlighted in responses. They suggested that training should promote this, including understanding of the role that different partners should play.

Commitment to this multi-agency working model

Responses also suggested that training should aim to build commitment to the agreed-on working model and its processes at strategic and management level, so that service providers participating in the work are supported by their managers and organisations.

Nationally consistent support

Several responses indicated that support for victims of domestic abuse being consistent across Scotland should be a key outcome of training.

Shared language

Some responses indicated that training should establish a common language around multi-agency response to domestic abuse, in particular for risk assessment.

Knowledge of legislation

Promoting good knowledge of legislation relating to domestic abuse was proposed by some responses as a useful part of training. It was also suggested that the training itself should be grounded in current legislation.

Knowledge of referral pathways

Some responses noted that training should equip service providers with the knowledge of where victims and their children can be referred to for support, and how to do so. It was mentioned that this aspect of training would need to be specific to different local areas.

Understanding and use of risk assessment tools

Covering risk assessment tools in training was proposed in numerous responses. Specifically, it was proposed that this should ensure that service providers:

• understand who should conduct risk assessments
• how to use risk assessment tools effectively
• are confident in using these tools
• can use the tools safely and sensitively.

Effective safety planning

Some responses articulated effective safety planning for victims as a key outcome of training.

Ability to engage with all family members

Some respondents noted that it is important for training to equip service providers to work safely and effectively with other members of a victim’s family, including any children and the perpetrator. Responses specifically mentioned the Safe and Together model which could be included in training with the aim of supporting the children of domestic abuse victims.

Competent intersectional response

Responses highlighted the need for training to equip practitioners to effectively support all victims and to take account of their differing needs. The Scottish Commission for Learning Disability suggested that specific resources, such as Talking Mats, should be covered in training to ensure that service providers can effectively support victims with a learning disability.

Workplace policies

One response suggested that training should encourage workplaces to adopt policies to support employees who experience or perpetrate domestic abuse.

Support for professionals

Responses suggested that training should promote understanding of the impact that this work can have on those supporting victims, and understanding of how they themselves can be supported.

Understanding data protection

Several responses suggested that training should aim to ensure that practitioners have good knowledge of regulations and protocols around personal data, and be confident in appropriate and effective data handling and sharing.

2. Practicalities of training

As noted above, comments on the practicalities of delivering training fell into 5 main themes. These are addressed in turn below.

Who the training should be for

Staff working in all public services

A desire for the training to be aimed at staff in all public services came across strongly in the responses. This was linked to the argument that domestic abuse should be seen as everyone’s concern, that early intervention should be prioritised, and that it is therefore important that anyone who may come into contact with those experiencing domestic abuse in the course of their work should be able to recognise the signs and respond appropriately (facilitated, for example, by training on routine enquiry).

Thoughts on exactly which organisations should be included in this group varied, but generally indicated any ‘relevant’ public and third sector agencies and services. Those mentioned specifically include housing, education, healthcare, local authorities, justice, social work and emergency services.

Some respondents suggested that all staff within these services should receive training, while others suggested that some staff, or a critical mass of staff be trained. There was an emphasis on training being directed at frontline staff, ‘all those who come into contact with vulnerable people’ or those who ‘come into contact with women at risk’, although it was also proposed that staff at all levels of an organisation should be trained.

Those directly involved in multi-agency risk assessment and interventions for victims of domestic abuse, and their managers

Some responses suggested that training should be delivered for those who conduct domestic abuse risk assessments and attend MARACs, including specific training for Independent Domestic Abuse Advocates. It was also proposed that their managers and other relevant decision makers should be included in the training, to promote organisational support for this work and for the staff who are directly involved in it.

Training should be mandatory

Numerous responses argued for training on multi-agency risk assessments and interventions for victims of domestic abuse to be mandatory for the target audience. There were suggestions that this should reflect the way in which training on Child and Adult Protection has been made mandatory. The Scottish Children's Reporter Administration proposed that:

‘The Scottish Government could choose to list public bodies who should have a mandatory approach to domestic abuse awareness as well as more specific / tailored training packages and it would then be for those bodies to report on their implementation of the mandatory approach in an agreed way.’

– Scottish Children's Reporter Administration

What the training should look like

Tiered

The idea that training should be tiered, to accommodate different people’s roles and level of involvement in interventions for domestic abuse, emerged in several responses. Some proposed that this should range from an introduction to domestic abuse for all frontline staff, to training for those involved directly with multi-agency risk assessments and inventions which addressed the tools, processes and skills involved.

Mentoring

A mentoring or supervision system was suggested, to enable staff in public and third sector organisations to obtain support and advice from domestic abuse specialists as required.

Comprehensive

One comment highlighted the requirement for a full programme of training, in order to ensure that it is comprehensive.

How the training should be developed and delivered

Developed with organisations

A number of comments suggested that training and training resources should be developed with organisations concerned with domestic abuse, including at a local level.

Support from within organisations involved

Responses noted the importance of organisations supporting the relevant staff to complete training. One response suggested organisations embed a strategic priority on learning around domestic abuse, while others proposed including it in continuing professional development or linking it to professional registrations. One response commented on the importance of training complying with procurement rules.

Led by specialists

Several responses proposed that training should be led and/or informed by organisations who work with victims of domestic abuse. Some (including some of the Women’s Aid organisations who responded to the consultation) specifically suggested Women’s Aid, while others recommended SafeLives (again, including the organisation themselves).

‘Train the trainer’ model

Some responses suggested that a ‘train the trainer’ model could be adopted, to improve capacity and cascade consistent training across Scotland.

In-person versus e-learning

Responses were divided on whether in-person or e-training would be preferable. It was noted that face-to-face training could offer the opportunity to meet staff from other organisations and to practice skills, while e-learning may be more easily accessible, especially for those in remote areas. Several responses proposed that e-learning should not replace in-person training, but that it could be a useful complement, and the benefits of mixed-media resources in promoting learning were mentioned.

National training hub

Some respondents proposed that a national training ‘hub’ or database is established, which is accessible to all stakeholders and offers training and resources.

Where the training should be delivered

National versus local level

Many responses proposed that a standardised national training programme and resources should be established, to ensure consistency. Some suggested that training should be delivered by a single agency or completed via a national platform, although other comments focused more on the development than the delivery of training being at national level.

‘Create a national body with a statutory remit for training, policy development and national implementation. Alternatively seek tender applications by existing organisations who would feel this would be within their capacity.’

– Individual

Other responses suggested that training should be developed and/or delivered at local level. They highlighted the benefit of easier physical access, being able to incorporate local circumstances and capitalise on resources which may already have been developed locally. Some responses highlighted the importance of training being accessible (and affordable) for those in rural and remote locations.

These views were not necessarily mutually exclusive – several responses came back to the idea of balancing national consistency with local context, and suggested tailoring national training programmes and resources for local delivery would be most appropriate. It was proposed that minimum standards be established.

Within Higher Education courses

Some responses suggested that training around domestic abuse should be integrated into Higher Education courses, such as teaching, healthcare, policing, social work and other professional qualifications.

Within organisations

Other responses recommended training be provided within organisations, for example during staff inductions. There were proposals for certain members of staff to be responsible for training others within their organisation.

How often training should take place

Of those responses that specifically addressed how often training should take place, some argued for the intended audience to receive training annually. Others suggested a rolling programme of training be established, but did not specify how often people should be expected to attend. Some responses suggested that training should not be a one-off, but that staff should receive regular refreshers.