Evaluation of the children's independent domestic violence advocacy service

1. Evaluation of the children's independent domestic violence advocacy service Dr Joanne Westwood School of Social Work University of Central Lancashire

2. Introduction • Impact of domestic violence on children • Services for children and young people • Advocacy for children who experience domestic violence • The evaluation project years 1-3 • Discussion/questions

3. Impact of domestic violence on children • Research evidence : (Stanley 2011) • Direct injury • Health and development • Mental well being • School attendance • Educational attainment • Relationships • Self esteem

4. Services for children and young people • Legislation • Practice guidance • Interventions • Emphasis on safeguarding/child protection • Mothers who are victims fear SW intervention • Children have little/no say in contact with violent fathers

5. Advocacy for children who experience domestic violence 1 • Children report being excluded from professional intervention • Fear of not being heard is a barrier to disclosure and seeking help • Children in families and young people experiencing violence in their own intimate relationships • Professionals who are outside mainstream services are seen as more trustworthy (Stanley 2011)

6. Advocacy for children who experience domestic violence 2 • Limited provision • The project • Evaluation (year 1-3) • Design of the evaluation (year 1) • Ethical considerations: • Vulnerability of children and young people • Confidentiality • Informed consent

7. Methods • Focus group with children and young people • Stakeholder questionnaire • Referral and outcome audit from case records • Case studies:

8. Case study framework

9. Focus groups • The research found that the young people consistently experience a range of significant outcomes which they attributed to the service they had received • They described feeling safer and more secure. • They felt they had greater opportunities to enjoy themselves and they developed social skills. • They also felt more confident and more able to deal with difficult situations. • They rated the outcomes linked to safety and security as most important, and these are some of the consequences of HARV’s intervention which they described: ‘made home life more peaceful’ Makes you feel as though ‘you’re not fighting the world with two hands’ ‘if [named worker] weren’t here I wouldn’t be alive now’ ‘[feel a] sense of direction in life’ • The research also found that workers were seen to communicate effectively and respect young people’s confidentiality. • Workers demonstrated the skills and knowledge they needed to meet young people’s needs. • Workers explained the service they could provide and young people felt that workers were on their side. • Some young people did make some suggestions where changes could be made which they felt would improve their experience. Some examples of the changes they would like to see are quicker responses to Facebook, a suggestion box for their comments and, at times, greater opportunities for them to direct the group activities provided. (Larkins and Vart: Focus group evaluation report 2012)

10. Case studies • Tina 19 (Child age 2) • Laura 17 (child age 8 months) • Kevin 12 • Aisha 15

11. Tina • Tina is in a relationship with Tony who is the father of their child although they do not live together. Tina’s parents do not allow Tony into their home. Tony gets angry with Tina and accuses her of “spoiling” their child when she picks him up. As well as verbally abusing her Tony has access to Tina’s bank account and takes money out for himself. Tony checks Tina’s mobile phone and face book. He shouts and screams down the phone if she doesn't answer it right away. He calls her a slag, whore and many more insulting names. Tony checks her underwear and accuses her of sleeping with some other guy, he also forces her to have sex on demand.” • "Met with Tina today, she was very open about her experience. She accepts her partner is abusive and can identify what he is doing is unacceptable. She does not want to do anything about this currently as she loves him ".

12. Laura • Laura, aged 17, was the mother of Heather (aged 8 months) made the decision to go to a refuge six days after the referral to the advocate. In this particular case Laura had disclosed domestic violence to a worker at Connexions and they had contacted the agency Initially, Laura did not want to consider leaving Matthew she described him as a “good father”. • “She was frightened he threatens to take Heather (her daughter) away from her he says she is a bad mother and she is only allowed out for 1 hour and he wants to know where she is at all times. If she puts make up on he says she must be going to see an ex-boyfriend " In the most recent assault she was a little late back and had got wet so she went to run a bath. He said she wasn't allowed a bath he got wet and he then chased her into bedroom where he punched her and head butted her. Laura has never reported to police. I discussed other options and offered refuge, at first Laura was reluctant but I think she knew this was the best place for both her and her child in terms of safety. I asked a colleague to contact refuges to see if there are any available spaces. Laura was very upset as I think the realisation of her moving and leaving Matthew hit home....”

13. Kevin • “We completed the 'this is me' exercise and the timeline. It was a 'penny dropping' moment for Kevin as he identified from the timeline all the issues which have happened in his life all revolve around Philip (his mum’s partner) and when he was released out of prison on bail, this was when Kevin was 12 years old. Before Philip being in his life he has good memories...". • Shortly after this session and following another episode of violence Kevin decided that he would go and live with his biological father who started to look at legal ways of looking after Kevin.

14. AISHA • Aisha had reported a domestic violence incident to her school which had referred her to the service. Initially Aisha met the advocate at her school as her father did not want her to go out in the evenings. Aisha worked with the advocate on keeping safe and developing strategies in the case of a repeated incident of domestic violence at home. When this occurred, Aisha contacted the police directly. • The case notes record a developing confidence in Aisha who confronted her father who said he was sorry for hitting her and her mother in the past and he regrets this. Aisha said to her father: “ thanks but you have to stop if you regret it”. The advocate noted that “this was a great answer!”

15. Self efficacyand empowerment • Trusting the advocate • Building up a relationship with the advocate • Decision making has to be on the child/young persons own terms (ref Laura) • Intensive work and consistency in relationship • Time – no quick fix

16. Questions • ?

17. References • Stanley, N., (2011) Children Experiencing Domestic Violence: A Research Review. Dartington. Research In Practice.

18. Further information Dr Joanne Westwood (Principal Investigator) School of Social Work University of Central Lancashire Preston PR1 2HE Tel: 01772 895467 E mail: JLWestwood@uclan.ac.uk