The traditional route whereby a generic intervention is sourced in the early stages of local authority involvement is often unsuitable for the complex needs of parents within child protection measures, resulting in a lack of progress which moves the case into care proceedings. Assessments completed within care proceedings that indicate that parents are able to make the necessary changes when offered a tailored programme often lead to a delay in proceedings while parents complete the work or parents are not given the opportunity to attend a programme due to restrictions in the court timetable. 

Completing a targeted treatment programme at an early stage that aims to achieve genuine progress for parents in protecting their children, shortens timescales, provides evidence as to the parents ability to safeguard the child and avoid further proceedings. The accompanying assessment report will push the case forward providing an expert opinion on the risk posed to the child, and fills a gap in evidence as to whether parents are able to safeguard their child.

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Please note that these interventions are only available when referred by a social worker in care proceedings or child protection measures.

These interventions include an initial 2 hour assessment interview with an expert risk assessor who will advise on the most appropriate programme for the parent within an initial suitability assessment report. This will be followed by a 6 or 12-week treatment programme (depending on the programme required) and a final interview to complete the full risk and vulnerability assessment report, which will include the progress made within the programme.​

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Behaviour Change PAI - This intervention includes a Family Safety risk, vulnerability or joint assessment alongside a full intensive behaviour change programme. Behaviour change programmes include:

 

• Our groundbreaking 12 session Vulnerable Mothers Programme focuses on the attachment to the abusive partner, with reflective work on how the attachment was formed and how the mothers vulnerability to further abuse can be reduced.

• The full 24 session Domestic Abuse Prevention Programme (DAPP) is delivered to the offending parent with twice weekly sessions that work on taking responsibility for their actions and learning strategies for non-abusive behaviour.

• The 12 session Capacity to Protect Programme (CAPROT) is available to non-abusive parents who require work to improve their capacity to protect children from sex offending in the home.

 

Behaviour Change interventions are are only appropriate for parents where there are no current mental health or substance abuse issues; they are suitable for:

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• Victims no longer living with the abusive partner who are willing to reflect on their previous relationship.

• Perpetrators that make some admissions of their abusive behaviour and express a willingness to work on changing that behaviour.

• Parents who are willing to work on their ability to protect children in their care from child sexual abuse.

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Needs PAI - A Needs PAI includes a Family Safety risk, vulnerability or joint assessment alongside a 12 session programme that meets the immediate child protection concerns around safety and increasing accountability. Needs programmes include:

 

• For those victims who remain in a relationship with an abusive partner the work will concentrate on domestic abuse education, safety planning and recognising risk.

• For those perpetrators who have limited acceptance of the risk concerns the motivational programme will work to increase their levels of acceptance of their behaviour with the aim of helping them to move to a position where they will be suitable for a full behavioural change programme.

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The Needs Intervention path is suitable for:

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• ​Victims who remain in a relationship with the abuser.

• Victims who do not accept that domestic abuse has taken place or do not accept the risk concerns.

• Perpetrators whose level of denial, minimisation and blame mean they are unsuitable for a full behaviour change programme.

• Where mental health and substance misuse difficulties are likely to hinder the parents ability to engage on an intensive programme of behavioural change.

 

TraumaSense PAI - Where high levels of trauma mean that a focused trauma intervention is required, the 24 session TraumaSense programme can be delivered. TraumaSense is a professionally designed, trauma-informed, psychoeducational programme developed to support adult survivors of domestic abuse who are struggling with the long-term emotional, psychological, and somatic impacts of trauma. The programme is rooted in the latest evidence-based research and trauma theory providing a unique and empowering pathway to post-traumatic growth.

 

This programme is available to any parents who have traumatic experiences that impact their ability to parent effectively. It is particularly suitable for:

 

• Adults who have survived domestic abuse or coercive control.

• Those whose recovery is complicated by long-standing trauma responses.

• Victims whose difficulties in communication, parenting, or decision-making may be misunderstood as non-engagement or resistance in child protection processes.

• Individuals who feel isolated, dysregulated, or disempowered by ongoing family court proceedings or systems of authority.

• Victims of generational trauma, with rigid belief systems and maladaptive coping mechanisms.

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Read our blog post Launching Partner Abuse Interventions or contact us