Somerset Chnage is a Community Safety funded service of independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs) who work with high risk victims of domestic abuse across the County. The best way of illustrating the exemplary service provided by the IDVAs is by way of a case study, provided below. In a multi agency co-ordinated community response to domestic abuse, the IDVAs are central, and provide a key role in the protection of vulnerable adults and their children at a time of heightened risk of serious harm. Each IDVA works with approximately 100 clients per year and are key components of the Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) and Specialist Domestic Violence Courts.
Alongside the IDVA Service and the Perpretrator Programme were instrumental in reaching our LAA target of reducing repeat incidents of domestic abuse.
Somerset Change Case Study - 'Sarah'
Sarah is a 29 year old mother of two children, a boy and a baby girl. She had an on/off relationship with Michael, the father of the children.
Somerset Change received a referral from Children's Social Care following an assault by Michael against Sarah whilst she was holding their baby. The baby was unharmed during the incident but Sarah sustained bruising to her head and arm.
Somerset Change made contact with Sarah and during their first appointment the IDVA checked the details of the initial referral and completed a needs assessment, risk assessment and safety plan. The risk assessment indicated that Sarah was at high risk of serious injury or death and so the IDVA referred her case to be discussed at the next MARAC.
The needs assessment identified and IDVA provided the following:
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Need identified
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Provision by IDVA
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| The Property needed to be made secure |
Referral to Bobby Van for property to be made secure hardening |
| A Treat As Urgent (TAU) marker to be put on her address |
Referral to Police for TAU marker |
| Sarah needed support with Children's Social Care and with implementing the Child Protection Plan which was in place. |
Provided feedback to Sarah from MARAC.
Liaison with Social Worker and attendance at core group meetings.
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| Support to apply for a non-molestation order - the risk was at such a level that although there were bail conditions in force, these could be lifted at any point and Sarah needed this legal remedy in place not only to protect herself but as evidence to Children's Social Care that she was protecting the children and being proactive. |
Support to gain Non-Molestation Order with exclusion zone. |
| Support around the latest incident and the court processes as the assault was proceeding to trial in the Specialist Domestic Violence Court. |
Liaison with Witness Care Unit to update on court case and offer support.
Accompanied Sarah to Specialist Domestic Violence Court.
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| Support to apply to move house as a safeguard for the future should legal remedies not be successful in securing her safety and that of her children. |
Request at MARAC for Local Authority to review housing situation resulting in Sarah being placed in a higher band |
| Sarah needed an Advocate to make sure her wishes, feelings and rights were heard as she did not feel confident putting her point across with statutory agencies. |
Contact with Sarah prior to MARAC to note Sarah's thoughts and feelings. |
Unfortunately, the situation was very difficult and Sarah struggled not to have contact with Michael, which led to Children's Social Care issuing proceedings to apply to remove the children.
The IDVA attended solicitor's appointments with Sarah and worked with her and Children's Social Care to secure Refuge accommodation where the family would be safe. This meant the children were not removed from Sarah's care.
The IDA liaised with Sarah's Housing Association and Housing Benefit prior to Sarah securing place at a refuge in order to secure her property whilst she was away.
The IDVA also continued to give support around the trial which was held in the Specialist Domestic Violence Court.
Outcome:
Michael pleaded guilty on the trial day due to Sarah's attendance at court. He was convicted of assault and received a community sentence.
Sarah remained safe at refuge until she secured a property in another town within Somerset by bidding to Choice Based Lettings.
The IDVA attended a final appointment with Sarah where she arranged for target hardening of the new property (with referrals for a 'Treat as Urgent' marker and Bobby Van) and she then referred Sarah to tenancy support.
Sarah and her children have remained safe away from Michael and have settled into the new area where they have started to make new friends.
Thanks for Somerset Somerset Change for providing the case study and to 'Sarah' for allowing us to use her story. All names have been changed.
