Establishing the needs of survivors of domestic abuse — SFJ Awards End-Point Assessment Public Services Revision
This subtopic focuses on the systematic process of identifying and understanding the unique needs and risks of survivors of domestic abuse through effectiv
Topic Synopsis
This subtopic focuses on the systematic process of identifying and understanding the unique needs and risks of survivors of domestic abuse through effective information gathering, risk assessment, and collaborative need determination. It equips learners with the skills to employ trauma-informed approaches, use recognised risk identification tools, and engage survivors in decision-making to establish a foundation for tailored safety planning and intervention. Mastery of this element is essential for safeguarding survivors and coordinating multi-agency responses.
Key Concepts & Core Principles
- Coercive control: A pattern of behaviour involving intimidation, humiliation, and isolation that strips a survivor of their autonomy, now recognised as a criminal offence in the UK.
- The Duluth Model and Power and Control Wheel: Frameworks that illustrate how abusers use power and control tactics, helping professionals identify abuse beyond physical violence.
- Risk assessment tools like the Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Honour-Based Violence (DASH) risk checklist, used to determine the level of danger and inform safety planning.
- Trauma-informed practice: An approach that recognises the widespread impact of trauma and seeks to avoid re-traumatisation by prioritising safety, trustworthiness, and survivor choice.
- Multi-agency risk assessment conferences (MARACs): Meetings where agencies share information to manage high-risk domestic abuse cases, ensuring a coordinated response.
Exam Tips & Revision Strategies
- Always explicitly reference the DASH risk assessment and the MARAC (Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference) process when justifying risk-management decisions in your written responses.
- Use case study answers to demonstrate how you would balance the survivor’s autonomy with your duty of care, showing clear justification for any override professional decisions.
- Structure portfolio evidence to show a logical flow: information gathering → risk identification → needs determination → action planning, with signed consent and review dates visible.
Common Misconceptions & Mistakes to Avoid
- Failing to apply a trauma-informed approach, such as rushing the survivor into decisions or not recognising the impact of trauma on their ability to recall details.
- Overlooking the need to check for immediate safety risks (e.g., weapons, recent escalation) before exploring broader needs, leading to potential harm.
- Assuming the survivor’s needs based on the type of abuse rather than involving them in a collaborative determination of priorities and concerns.
- Neglecting to document professional judgement alongside the survivor’s wishes when there is a safeguarding conflict, resulting in unclear accountability.
Examiner Marking Points
- Award credit for demonstrating effective use of DASH (Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Harassment) risk assessment tool to gather structured information and identify high-risk factors.
- Award credit for evidencing active, empathetic listening and open questioning techniques to elicit survivor disclosures without re-traumatisation.
- Award credit for clearly documenting risk levels, survivor-identified needs (including safety, housing, financial, legal, and emotional), and agreed actions in a person-centred safety plan.