The Safe and Together model A perpetrator pattern

The Safe and Together™ model: A perpetrator pattern, child centered, survivor strength based approach to the intersection of domestic violence and child maltreatment David Mandel, MA, LPC International Center for Innovation in Domestic Violence Practice (ICIDVP)

Objectives • Introduce the Safe and Together Model • Implications for Practice in West Lothian • Managing paperwork with a focus on domestic abuse

Mikey and Jools DVD (c) 2013 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission

What is Domestic abuse? Domestic Abuse, as gendered based violence, can be perpetrated by partners or ex partners and can include physical abuse (assault and physical attack involving a range of behaviour), sexual abuse (acts which degrade and humiliate women and are perpetrated against their will, including rape) and mental and emotional abuse (such as threats, verbal abuse, racial abuse, withholding money and other types of controlling behaviour such as isolation from family and friends. Source: National Strategy to Address Domestic Abuse in Scotland, Scottish Partnership on Domestic Abuse, Edinburgh, November 2000

Safe & Together - Better Outcomes for Families & Systems Domestic Abuse Informed Child Welfare System • Improved Competencies • Improved Cross System Collaboration Foundation • Model Characteristics • Principles • Critical Components Better Outcomes for Families: Safety, Well Being & Permanency • Better Assessment • Better Partnerships • Better Case Plans Practice Tools • Mapping • Pivoting • Case Planning Guide • Supervisor Matrix • Pathways and Planning (c) 2013 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission

Safe & Together Is NOT a model which advocates that children should never be removed from the non offending parent (c) 2013 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission

W. Lothian’s domestic abuse & CP audit Assessment Focus on physical violence Pattern of domestic abuse Impact on children Planning Focus on calling the police, separation, moving home Primarily focused on the actions of the victim Lack of recognition of other protective actions

Safe and Together™ Principles 1 2 3 Keeping child Safe and Together™ with non-offending parent Safety Healing from trauma Stability and nurturance Partnering with non-offending parent as default position Efficient Effective Child-centered Intervening with perpetrator to reduce risk and harm to child Engagement Accountability Courts

Safe and Together™ Critical Components Perpetrator’s pattern of coercive control Role of substance abuse, mental health, culture and other socioeconomic factors Adverse impact of the perpetrator’s behavior on the child Actions taken by the perpetrator to harm the child Full spectrum of the non-offending parent’s efforts to promote the safety and well being of the child

CCs 1 & 2 - Coercive Control & Actions taken to harm children • Perpetrator’s behavior - not the relationship • Perpetrator’s choice to be violent, abusive and controlling • Beyond current relationship o Ending the relationship does not equal safety o Risk assessments need to consider previous relationships • More than adult on adult behavior o Direct and indirect involvement of children in the pattern of behavior o Requires conscious look at gender based expectations about parenting (c) 2013 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission

CC 3: Full spectrum of the nonoffending parent’s efforts to promote the safety and wellbeing of the child (c) 2013 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission

Exercise: Protective Efforts – Case Study • Read and discuss the case study. Underline strengths and protective factors. • What has the survivor done to promote the safety of the children, the wellbeing of the children, stability for the children and to nurture the children.

Partnering with Survivors Focus on Strengths Planning Based on Survivors’ Experiences and Strengths Shared Goal of Keeping Children Safe Identify Protective Efforts Focus on Perpetrators’ Choices as Source of Harm

Language Choices • • • Blaming Language Why haven’t you left? How did you trigger him (or what were you doing before he got violent? ) Didn’t you know he was going to be violent? It’s your job to protect the children. You’re choosing him over the children. Non-Blaming Language • Has (your partner) ever interfered with you trying to leave? • What was he like before he was violent? • I’m concerned that his behavior is harming the children. • It’s clear you’ve tried to protect the children but that he’s chosen to hurt them.

CC 4: Adverse impact of the perpetrator’s behavior on the child (c) 2013 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission

Critical Component Five: Role of substance abuse, mental health, culture and other socio-economic factors (c) 2013 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission

Safety Issues • Confidentiality • Reports • Meetings • Case Conferences

DASAT Criminal Justice The Almond Project Women’s Service Referral Source Police Agency /Self Specialist Court Advocacy Sexual Violence Project Generic/ Duty Children’s Service Agency /Self Lisa/ Project Agency /Self Open Secret/ Counselling Service

DASG and MARAC

Safe and Together Champions can do: Pivoting Case Mapping Consultation Briefings (c) 2013 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission

Coffee Break (c) 2013 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission

Edweb and the Creation of CP files

Edweb

Intranet

Service Areas

Education Services

Child Protection

School Procedures

Contents Page

Scenario Decide on the action that needs to be taken in relation to the scenario provided and then complete the appropriate paperwork as the DMS

Scenario • Jennifer and Brian have been married for fifteen years. They have three male children together ages 17, 14 and 10. They live in local authority housing in joint names. Brian works full time as an electrician and Jennifer is a housewife. Brian manages the household finances and gives Jennifer money weekly for food and clothing for the children. Their ten year old boy James is autistic and has developmental delay. James receives benefits regarding his disability on a monthly basis and this is paid into Brian’s bank account. • Their relationship has been beset by alcohol misuse and domestic violence for a significant period of time with children and families social work involvement ongoing since the boys were young children. • The couple remain in the same house and Jennifer is receiving support from DASAT. • Jennifer would like to leave but is not sure how to manage this and is worried about caring for James.

• A Police Concern Form has been received alleging that Alan, the 17 year old (S 6 pupil) has been charged with sexual assault. • A further Police Concern Form alleges that Peter, the 14 year old (S 3 pupil) has been charged with assault in the community. • Staff have raised a concern that James uses inappropriate language which can at times be sexualised. He presents as unkempt, dirty and hungry. (c) 2013 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission

Risk Management Plan (c) 2013 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission