It’s estimated that around one in four women and three in every one hundred men will experience domestic abuse after the age of 16. As a result, domestic abuse is something that will impact the lives of millions of families up and down the country every year. While many abusers seek to isolate their victims, help is available from a range of organisations including the police, domestic violence charities and social services.
What are the primary responsibilities of social services in cases of domestic abuse?
The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 recognises that domestic abuse can take many forms. It says that abuse includes:
• Physical or sexual violence
• Threatening and violent behaviour
• Financial abuse
• Coercive or controlling behaviour
• Psychological and emotional abuse
As the parameters of abuse are so wide, the roles and responsibilities of social services in cases of domestic abuse can vary – their exact response and course of action will depend in part on the type of abuse the victim is suffering from.
One of the primary ways that social services can support all victims of abuse is by acting as a conduit, connecting victims with appropriate support services such as domestic abuse charities.
Social workers can also provide emotional as well as practical support, and be someone that a victim can confide in.
Where children are at risk, they can create a care plan to help keep the child safe and request court involvement to make that happen if necessary.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) says, “Social workers can help people to talk about domestic violence or abuse, to know they are not alone and to feel that they will be believed.”
Social services are legally required to provide safe accommodation to victims who cannot remain in their own homes. This means they are responsible for sourcing suitable emergency accommodation, such as within a refuge, and providing appropriate support thereafter.
Social workers may also be involved in identifying and assessing risk, helping connect victims with relevant local agencies, referring them to support services, creating safety plans, and advocating for the victim.
Social services are required to work with a Domestic Abuse Local Partnership Board. The Board coordinates with a range of agencies on a range of functions. For example, it ensures victim representation, manages campaigns to raise awareness of domestic violence and maintains access to specialist services such as counselling or helplines.
How do social services assess the risks and needs of individuals involved in domestic abuse situations?
A Domestic Violence Risk Identification Checklist (DVRIM) helps social services assess the risks faced by children and adults living in a household with domestic abuse.
The checklist asks social care workers to consider a host of risk factors, such as:
- Whether a child was present during the abuse
- If there are previous instances of domestic violence or abuse
- If there is evidence of coercive or controlling behaviour, bullying or intimidation
- If the police are frequently called to the home
- If the abuser has previously been charged with violent crimes
- If there is evidence of drug or alcohol abuse
- Whether the abuser has a history of previous domestic violence
If the victim is deemed to be at risk of harm, the social worker should connect the victim with local support services, such as Refuge or other domestic violence charities. If children live in the home, their level of risk will also be assessed. They may be put on the ‘at risk’ register to enable social services to maintain contact with the family and safeguard the children within the home. This could mean that a Child Protection Plan is drawn up.
For instances where a victim is deemed to be at a high risk of harm, the social worker should take steps to take immediate action to protect the victim and any children. This may entail arranging emergency accommodation. The social worker should also make a referral to the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC).
What support and resources do social services provide to victims of domestic abuse?
Social services can provide practical and emotional support. They’re there to listen to the victim and if domestic abuse is disclosed to them, can help the victim to access appropriate national and local services. They can also refer the victim to an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) who can offer additional support.
The Local Authority has a statutory obligation to provide emergency accommodation for abuse victims where it’s deemed necessary, which social services will also be involved in.
How do social services collaborate with law enforcement and other agencies in domestic abuse cases?
If police are called to a home where they suspect domestic abuse, they may make a referral to social services. This will allow social services to become involved with the family. Other people, such as healthcare professionals and teachers, can also make referrals to social services if they’re concerned about the welfare of an adult or child.
If a person is deemed to be at a high risk of harm by social services, a referral will be made to the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC), which will mean other agencies become involved in the case. The victim will be represented by an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) at the conference and a safety plan will be drawn up. Each participant will outline what their agency can do to help keep the victim safe.
What are the challenges faced by social services in effectively intervening in domestic abuse scenarios?
Domestic abuse typically goes on behind closed doors, with many victims isolated and in fear of their abuser. This can make it difficult for social services to gain the relevant information needed to determine risk and intervene.
Where children are present, a fear of social services removing the child from the family home can also be a barrier. A study carried out by the National Centre for Social Research (NCSR) also identified a lack of resources as problematic.
If you’re a victim of domestic abuse, our family solicitors can work with you to help you access legal protection from your abuse. Contact us to speak to us in complete confidence.
