Carry out an assessment to identify the needs of and risks to individuals affected by domestic abuse or sexual violence
Overview
This standard is about assessing the needs and risks to individuals affected by domestic abuse or sexual violence. It includes involving individuals in the assessment wherever possible, and agreeing the factors and needs to be addressed to enable them to make informed choices.
The resultant outcomes of assessment will inform the development and implementation of appropriate intervention plans, with this activity being addressed in separate, but related national occupational standards.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
1. explain your role and responsibility to individuals
2. hold discussions with individuals in appropriate and safe environments
3. explain to individuals your organisation's confidentiality policies, including circumstances when information must be divulged
4. identify the nature and level of risk to individuals in line with organisational policies and procedures
5. gather information from individuals to identify their needs in line with organisational policies and procedures
6. assess the significance of individuals overall situation in line with organisational policies and procedures including:
• their social network
• emotional welfare
• psychological welfare
7. complete risk assessments using appropriate assessment models, tools and guidance in line with organisational policies and procedures
8. provide evidence to show the basis of decisions on the potential risk factors in line with organisational procedures
9. explain to individuals the likely outcomes of the risk identified in line with organisational procedures
10. determine factors that contribute and accelerate risk to individuals in line with policies and procedures
11. identify measures which reduce risk to individuals and their family in line with organisational policies and procedures
12. negotiate solutions with relevant others which reduce risk to individuals and their family, where relevant, in line with orgnaisational policies and procedures
13. refer situations to others for more in-depth assessment of individuals needs, when required, in line with your organisation’s policies and procedures
14. alert relevant others where you identify concerns regarding the risk of harm to individuals and their family, where relevant, in line with your organisation’s policies and procedures
15. prioritise the immediate and long-term needs of individuals in line with organisational requirements
16. explore with individuals the available options and the benefits and impact of options, in line with your organisation’s policies and procedures
17. agree with individuals options of support which meet their needs in line with your organisation’s remit
18. promote engagement with the criminal justice system in ways which encourage individuals to recognise the beneficial effects of doing so
19. agree actions and timescales of support to meet the needs of individuals in line with your role and responsibilities
20. discuss individuals needs assessment with relevant others in line with organisational requirements including sharing key issues, decisions and processes 21. maintain records in line with organisational policies and procedures
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. the limits of your authority, responsibility and professional competence
4. the importance of continuously reviewing risk and needs assessments when new information is made available
5. who to inform when you are unable to support individuals within your role and authority
6. what constitutes domestic abuse and sexual violence, and its prevalence in your local community
7. the potential impact upon those affected by domestic abuse and sexual violence, including the individuals’ family
8. the information and support needs of those affected by domestic abuse or sexual violence and how to meet these
9. multi-agency arrangements for providing support and interventions for individuals in your area
10. how to be sensitive and flexible in your approach, using techniques appropriate to the behaviour and attitude of individuals
11. the role and impact of intersectionality in relation to domestic abuse and sexual violence
12. risk and needs assessment tools, models and processes and how to select and use them
13. the information required for making a comprehensive assessment of individuals needs and risks
14. the importance of identifying risks associated with different communication methods when working with individuals including
• mobile phones
• use of social media
• electronic and virtual communication
15. methods of verifying and corroborating information available
16. how to distinguish between directly observed evidence, evidence from reliable sources and hearsay
17. factors impacting on levels of risk to individuals,
18. information required to identify individuals risk of;
• re-victimisation
• coercion
19. the importance of assessing factors that increase risk of harm and abuse to others by perpetrators
20. actions required when you identify risk of harm and abuse to others by individuals
21. circumstances requiring additional assessments and how to arrange these
22. how to progress support when individuals are at risk
23. the importance of, and methods for, building trust and empathy with individuals
24. how to create an environment that puts individuals at ease
25. how to apply trauma informed practice in your area of work
26. different trauma responses and their impact
27. how to apply a needs led, strength based approach specific to meet the needs of the individual
28. how intersectionality impacts on how an individual experiences services
29. methods and techniques for encouraging individuals to engage with the support provided
30. different styles and forms of communication and how to adapt them to meet the needs of the individual
31. the importance of non-verbal communication, such as body language and active listening
32. how different cultures use and interpret body language
33. common barriers to communication and ways to overcome them
34. the importance of being aware of your values and beliefs and the impact they may have when working with perpetrators and individuals
35. how to challenge discriminatory or potentially damaging attitudes and behaviour and the importance of doing so
36. circumstances where it is necessary to go against individuals expressed wishes
37. the importance of ensuring that individuals understand why their expressed wishes may not be met
38. limits of confidentiality applying to your role
Scope/range
Scope Performance
Scope Knowledge
Values
Behaviours
Skills
Glossary
Domestic Abuse
A 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 form of advocacy that places the survivor at the centre of interventions and support work. This means listening to their story, concerns and struggles and identifying strengths. It results in the collaborative production of support packages that are specific to survivors’ individual needs. A needs-led approach is an empowering endeavour that pays attention to survivors’ intersectional circumstances, avoiding the traps of institutional bias or ineffective responses
Strength based approach
Recognising that individuals have strengths. These strengths are recognised and built on as part of aiding recovery.
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 Violence (see also definitions below that may be used covering sexual abuse or sexual assault)
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
Sexual Abuse
Undesired sexual behaviour by one person to another. This is often carried out by force or by 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.
Trauma Informed Practice
An approach to health and care interventions which is grounded in the understanding that trauma exposure can impact on a person. Practitioners will work in ways so as to not inadvertently retraumatise impacted people and with an emphasis on client safety, choice, collaboration and empowerment.