1:1 Domestic Abuse Prevention Programme

Find out more about the DV-ACTION one to one treatment programme for perpetrators of domestic abuse.

DV-ACTION Bespoke programmes offers a structured, tailored domestic abuse prevention programme (DAPP) delivered by trained, experienced domestic abuse treatment practitioners. Sessions take place remotely using video call technology (with Zoom or similar) so it is available for parents anywhere in the UK.

What is a DAPP?

DAPP's are structured programmes of work that give perpetrators the opportunity to change their behaviour towards their past/present intimate partner. The programmes aim to reduce the perpetrator's violence and abuse towards their intimate partners and improve the safety of children by:

• encouraging perpetrators to move to a point where they can take responsibility for their abusive behaviour and make positive steps to change their behaviour,

• increasing perpetrators awareness and understanding of domestic abuse and assisting them in applying this to their own behaviour,

• Increasing perpetrators understanding of the effects that their abusive behaviour can have on their intimate partners and their children,

• teaching perpetrators to use non-controlling behaviour strategies in their relationships,

• providing support and information to known previous and current partners in order to manage expectations, inform safety planning and signpost to suitable resources.

DV-ACT experts have decades of experience in creating and delivering perpetrator programmes and have used that experience to create bespoke treatment packages for parents in child protection measures and/or in court proceedings.

What does the DV-ACTION programme include?

The DV-ACTION programme includes:

• 18 one to one sessions with a trained and experienced treatment worker

• An offer of free confidential support to current/previous partners

• Sessions delivered remotely using Zoom or similar

• The option to tailor the programme sessions to the needs of the client and to address the concerns of the local authority/courts

• A full final report completed by an expert risk assessor that can be used in court proceedings.

Please note that all clients will first need to attend a suitability assessment if they have not completed a risk assessment with DV-ACT.

Who is the treatment programme for?

Traditionally DAPPs in the UK have taken place in a groupwork face to face setting, however, the pandemic has made remote sessions more viable giving an opportunity to those who are unable to access group work programmes the option of completing work on a one to one basis from home.

The programme is designed to work with parents in the UK where the family court or local authority has concerns regarding the risk of harm to children due to domestic abuse. As an organisation that specialises in complex cases we offer this programme to parents who have local authority involvement at any stage including parents in care proceedings and is suitable for perpetrators who are parents and:

• accept that at least some of their behaviour is/has been abusive

• have some motivation to change their behaviour

• are willing to attend and complete the full programme

• have completed an assessment which recommends the programme

• do not have any pending criminal proceedings for domestic abuse

• are not already attending a programme with probation.

We can work with; those that need a translator; female perpetrators; registered sex offenders; those currently in a relationship and separated parents.

Why is there suitability criteria?

Completion of a programme on its own does not necessarily reduce the risk that is posed to the victim and child/ren it can, in fact, have the potential to increase the risks in the case, particularly if professionals and the courts consider that the risks are being managed by a programme and so de-escalate the case without reviewing the effectiveness of the intervention via a final report. It is for this reason that DV-ACTION programmes have suitability criteria for perpetrators. We also strongly advise that no decisions regarding child contact are made until after receipt of a positive final report. For further information on the efficacy of DAPPs please visit our post Can Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Programmes Really Change Behaviour?

What topics are covered in the programme?

As the programme is delivered on a one to one basis, there can be a particular focus on specific areas of concern raised by the courts or to meet the requirements of the child protection plan. However, the programme will cover all the topics usually delivered within a DAPP including:

• Strategies for reducing violence,

• Analysing feelings and behaviour,

• Motivation to change,

• Power and control,

• Parenting,

• Emotional abuse,

• Developing empathy,

• Sexual respect and intimacy,

• Respectful relationships,

• Positive self talk,

• Attitudes towards women.

How is the programme delivered?

The programme consists of 18 sessions delivered on a one-to-one basis by an experienced domestic abuse treatment worker. Further sessions can be added if required at the discretion of the treatment worker. Sessions will then take place weekly with an additional session towards the end of the programme where the expert assessor will meet with the client in order to complete the final assessment report. The length of time that the programme takes is decided on a case by case basis and depends upon the needs of the client and whether a report is required urgently for court proceedings. The programme would usually take 20 weeks to complete, however, any filing dates given will depend upon attendance. A final report will be provided 2 weeks after completion.

Why do you support current/expartners?

It is best practice in the field of perpetrator work that support is offered to current and/or ex-partners of perpetrators that attend a programme. This includes; signposting to suitable services where required; information on the contents of the programme; help in managing expectations of what the programme can achieve; immediate response if sessions indicate they or their child/ren may be at imminent risk and the opportunity to access confidential information and advice.

How do I refer?

If the parent has not first completed a full risk assessment with DV-ACT or another expert assessor an initial suitability assessment will need to be completed with an expert assessor.

For fathers who have children in child protection measures we will require:

• A referral form completed by the children's social worker, including the contact details of both parents,

• Documents relating to the case which details the local authorities concerns,

• Copies of any assessments completed,

• For cases in care proceedings we would need a copy of a full robust risk assessment completed by an expert domestic abuse risk assessor that recommends the programme and confirms the Fathers suitability. For details on the domestic abuse assessments that DV-ACT provide please visit our assessments page.

How is the programme funded?

Please note that this programme cannot be funded by the legal aid agency as they do not fund treatment. The cost is usually borne by the local authority or they can be met by the parent.

In the event that the client does not complete the programme a final report can still be completed outlining sessions missed/attended, recommendations for further work and risk management strategies. Pease contact us for fees and terms and conditions

What reports are included?

For those that have not first completed a risk assessment with DV-ACT a letter will be provided setting out the agreed treatment goals, what the programme will cover and how long it will take. Clients who are found unsuitable will receive a letter, setting out the reasons why they are unsuitable for this programme. A detailed final report is provided following the conclusion of the work including the following:

• sessions missed/attended;

• what the sessions covered;

• whether the perpetrator has met the targets outlined at the beginning of the work;

• recommendations for further work;

• recommendations for risk management strategies.

Further questions

If you have any further questions about programme final reports or wish to make a referral please contact the programmes team at programmes@dvact.org or call on 0203 9678368. About us

DV-ACT Programmes are a division of DV-ACT Ltd. DV-ACT comprises a team of domestic abuse experts, available throughout the UK, who provide assessments, consultancy training and treatment programmes to local authorities and the family courts.

DV-ACT was formed with the aim of using our expertise to help safeguard children from abuse, this is at the heart of everything that we do. You can find out more about us by visiting out blog post Who runs DV-ACTION Bespoke Programmes? or visit our main company website at dvact.org.