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Transcript

Safety planning and domestic abuse: Safety measures for you and the client

SKILLS BRIEFING

If you need further support, please contact the SPOC on 01384 455 411

We ask that you bear in mind your own wellbeing

Please be aware that this briefing will cover the topics of trauma and domestic abuse

Trigger warning

A recording of the briefing will be available after the session has ended

The session will run for 50 minutes with 10 minutes for questions - you will be able to contribute questions through the Q&A function

What can you expect?

What is safety planning?

Applicable to any abusive situation.

A list of clear and practical steps someone can take to protect themselves if they are subjected to abuse or violence.

Why getting it right is important

What is a safety plan?

What is safety planning?

“Every interaction can be an intervention.” Dr Karen Treisman

What is a safety plan?

Video of Dr Treisman explaining her quote

You might be the only professional in regular contact with the victim.You can make a difference.

Why getting it right is important

Planning

Collaboration

Safety

Key elements

Be mindful of risk

Avoid being prescriptive

Avoid centring your emotions or feelings

Consider them an expert on their risk

Take into account the person's feelings

Ask questions, avoid assumptions

Best practice

Laura is a housing association tenant who is known by services to be in an abusive relationship. Her case has previously been heard at MARAC but she has never engaged with agencies and usually denies there is an issue. She does not have any children. She attends the office to meet with Housing Support Worker, Josie, to discuss her rent arrears and begins to open up. She becomes upset and says she is willing to accept help and wants to be safe.

QUOTES

BIOGRAPHY

Laura

Client safety

WORKER safety

planning

Collaborate

Let's see how Josie supports Laura to create a safety plan, considering these key elements.

Click on Laura to read more

Josie is calm, approachable and professional. She speaks to Laura in a private space and listens to her, asking further open questions to get a better understanding of risk and Laura’s wishes. Josie checks if Laura is safe to go home. Laura feels she is safe to return home at this time and does not want emergency accommodation. She says that she can go to her mum’s house if she needs to.

  • Stay calm and patient
  • Check for immediate danger
  • Establish safe contact
  • Seek medical attention where necessary
  • Follow safeguarding procedures

We should always consider immediate safety first

Client safety

Click on Laura to read more

Laura tells Josie that another professional had already done a safety plan with her but it didn’t help – she was given a spare phone, despite explaining that she didn’t feel safe to use it and she couldn’t afford to top up the credit. Josie asks Laura what she feels would help her to feel safer. She provides some options, such as obtaining an injunction.

  • Be transparent
  • Establish rapport
  • Listen and take time to hear their wishes
  • Consider them an expert on their risk
  • Facilitate their decision making with options

See risk through their lens

collaborate

Click on Laura to read more

Josie discusses local support services and offers a referral to SPOC whilst they are in the meeting. Laura agrees. Josie offers to provide the SPOC number, but Laura doesn’t feel it is safe to have this on paper. Instead, she saves the phone number under another name on her mobile phone. Josie and Laura agree a code word that can be used to check it is safe for Laura to talk when she or other professionals call her.

  • Consider safe recording and sharing
  • Discuss safe contact procedures
  • Discuss safe locations
  • Encourage referral to specialist services and provide info
  • Explore finances
  • Avoid providing advice out of your remit

Discuss options and identify which ones are suitable

PLANNING

Click on Laura to read more

Josie is personable but does not share any personal information about herself with Laura. After exploring risk and Laura's preferences, Josie establishes that it is safer to conduct appointments at the office with her, rather than at Laura's home. Josie finds it helpful to have a debrief with her manager after the appointment. She steps away from her desk in between appointments for a cup of tea.

  • Do not approach the abuser or try to mediate
  • Risk assess
  • Be flexible - you may have to move appointments
  • Debrief and take time to reflect
  • If lone working, follow your organisation's policy & procedures
  • Use a personal safety app

Both physical and emotional safety are important

workersafety

All referrals, including self-referrals can be made via: Telephone: 01384 455 411 (24 hours) Text/Whatsapp: 07384 466 181 (9am-9pm weekdays) Webchat (see our website for details)

How to contact Dudley Single Point of Contact (SPOC)

Hollie Guard App Bright Sky App Rail to Refuge/Road to Refuge schemes National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247​ ​Respect Men’s Advice Line:​ 0808 801 0327 Ask Marc Men's Support Service Suzy Lamplugh Trust Surviving Economic Abuse

Additional resources

Q&A

Scan the QR code to access:

  • Specialist domestic abuse e-learning courses for Dudley professionals
  • Domestic abuse resource and education packs
  • Our live online briefing catalogue

Have you accessed our other courses and resources yet?

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