Contribute to the assessment of individuals affected by domestic abuse or sexual violence
Overview
This standard is about contributing to the assessment of the risks to individuals affected by domestic abuse or sexual violence. It involves obtaining and recording relevant information and assisting in planning for the assessment.
This standard is for practitioners who support those affected by domestic abuse, which may include instances of sexual violence.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
1. obtain existing information about individuals involved in the assessment, where available and safe to do so
2. identify any further information needed for assessment of individuals including sources of information
3. confirm information requirements and sources with relevant people where required, in line with organisational policies and procedures
4. agree timescales and actions for gathering information with relevant others in line with organisational policies and procedures
5. obtain information in line with organisational policies and procedures
6. make appropriate arrangements for meetings with individuals at times that suit them and enable them to discuss their circumstances
7. provide individuals with relevant information in advance of meetings including details of the time, location and meeting purpose
8. refer any issues and difficulties to your line manager including:
• difficulties obtaining information
• difficulties arranging meetings
9. collate records and organise information received in ways which facilitates its use
10. verify and corroborate information received for relevance, accuracy and currency in line with organisational policies and procedures
11. address any gaps in information
12. identify key factors which contribute to risk assessment of individuals including:
• the likelihood, nature and imminence of the risk of harm
• risk of harm to individuals and their dependents where relevant
13. assess the significance of identified key factors in line with risk assessment tools and processes
14. present information about risk assessment to others including
• settling out key factors identified
• reasons for your assessment
15. complete justified risk assessments based on the information obtained in line with organisational policies and procedures
16. alert your line manager where you identify concerns regarding the risk of harm to individuals
17. maintain up to date records in line with organisational requirements
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
1. legal, organisational and policy requirements relevant to your role, the role of others in your organisation and the activities being carried out
2. the relevant national and local guidelines, policies, and procedures available and how and when they should be accessed
3. range of agencies and services you may work with
4. your organisation’s roles, objectives, remit and services for addressing domestic abuse or sexual violence, including the provision of support to individuals
5. the limits of your authority, responsibility and professional competence
6. what constitutes domestic abuse and sexual violence, and its prevalence in your local community
7. signs of abuse and the methods used by abusers to gain power and control
8. the impact of abuse upon all of those affected by it, including individuals and dependents
9. types and sources of information and support sought by those affected by domestic abuse or sexual violence
10. the role of external support agencies towards providing support to individuals in your area
11. the importance of being aware of your own values and beliefs and the impact they may have when working with individuals
12. the importance of not imposing your own values and beliefs on others
13. how to challenge discriminatory or potentially damaging attitudes and behaviour and the importance of doing so
14. how intersectionality impacts on how an individual experiences services
15. how to create an environment that puts individuals at ease
16. how to apply trauma informed practice in your area of work
17. risk assessment tools, processes, procedures and methods
18. different trauma responses and their impact
19. how to apply a needs led, strength based approach specific to meet the needs of the individual
20. including those used by your organisation
21. information required to assess the risks affecting individuals appropriate to managing their risk of harm
22. sources of relevant information regarding individuals and how to access these
23. methods for verifying and corroborating the information received
24. methods and techniques for distinguishing between and identifying:
• directly observed evidence
• evidence from reliable sources
• hearsay
25. the importance of maintaining records of information sources used and how to do so
26. how to organise information in ways that will help you analyse it and formats required when reporting information
Scope/range
Scope Performance
Scope Knowledge
Values
Behaviours
Skills
Glossary
Domestic Abuse
Any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality.
The abuse can encompass but is not limited to, a combination of psychological, physical, sexual, financial and emotional abuse.
This definition also includes so-called ‘honour’ based violence, female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced marriage. Children also experience domestic abuse when witnessing domestic abuse.
Intersectionality
The interconnected nature of social categorisations such as race, class, and gender, regarded as creating overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage
Needs led approach
a way of working to ensure that the support offered to someone experiencing domestic abuse is offered based on their needs and that builds on their strengths and resources available to them. It recognises the knowledge they have of the person who is using abuse. With the rights the non-abusive person can build their independence, recover from the trauma they have experienced and gain their life back and source change that lasts
People at risk
An individual who is defined as in need of special care, support, or protection because of age, disability, risk of abuse or neglect
Sexual Abuse
Undesired sexual behaviour by one person to another. This is often carried out by force or be taking advantage of the other person This term is generally used when the sexual behaviour is regular or over a prolonged period of time.
Sexual Assault
Any unwanted sexual behaviour that a person has not consented to.
This can range from rape to voyeurism or exhibitionism, to unwanted touching above or under clothes.
Sexual Violence
Similar in nature to Sexual Abuse, but this term is more often used to describe brief or single incidences, such as if sexually assaulted by a stranger.
Strength based approach
Is an approach to working with individuals that recognises their strength to overcome their experiences
Trauma Informed
an approach to health and care interventions which is grounded in the understanding that trauma exposure can impact on a person. Practitioners in a way so as to not inadvertently retraumatise impacted individuals; and with an emphasis on client safety, choice, collaboration and empowerment.