Responding to domestic abuse in healthcare settings 

​NICE Quick Guide on Recognising and Responding to Domestic Violence and Abuse
The NICE Quick Guide on recognising and responding to domestic violence and abuse provides social workers with essential guidance to identify and address issues effectively. It emphasizes understanding the various forms of abuse including psychological, physical, sexual, financial, and emotional, and highlights the importance of sensitive inquiry and supportive responses. The guide also underscores the need for ongoing training and awareness of local supportive services to ensure the safety and well-being of those affected.

Access the full guide click here.

​Pathfinder Toolkit
​The Pathfinder Toolkit provides a comprehensive framework for integrating domestic abuse responses within healthcare settings. Developed through a three-year national pilot project, it outlines a whole-system approach that embeds domestic abuse awareness, governance, and specialist interventions across primary care, acute hospital trusts, and mental health services. The Toolkit provides training, referral pathways, data collection strategies, and specialist roles like Health-Based Idvas to enhance healthcare responses to domestic abuse. It emphasises a trauma-informed, survivor-led, and intersectional approach, equipping professionals with best practices, policy templates, and implementation strategies for effective support.

Access and download the Toolkit click here.

​LARA-VP Manual
The LARA-VP (Linking Abuse and Recovery through Advocacy for Victims and Perpetrators) manual was written to help mental health professionals identify and respond to Domestic Violence and Abuse (DVA). It provides comprehensive information and guidance on how to approach victims and perpetrators of DVA as a service provider. The manual can be accessed here.

Identifying, assessing and responding to perpetration of domestic abuse: practice guide for mental health professionals - Greenfield et al., 2024
This practice guide provides a comprehensive framework to assist mental health professionals in addressing domestic abuse perpetration within clinical settings. Recognising that individuals in contact with mental health services are t a higher risk of both experiencing and perpetrating domestic abuse, the guide emphasises the importance of sensitive inquiry and through assessment. It outlines strategies for identifying potential perpetrators, understanding the context of their behaviour, and implementing appropriate interventions. The guide also highlights the necessity of balancing therapeutic support with public safety obligations, ensuring that responses are both effective and ethically sound.

​Published in BJPsych Advances, the practice guide can be accessed here.

Identifying and responding to domestic violence and abuse in healthcare settings - Keynejad et al., 2021
The BMJ Practice Pointer provides guidance for healthcare professionals on identifying and responding to domestic violence and abuse (DVA). It emphasises sensitive inquiry, supportive responses, and clear referral pathways to ensure survivors receive the necessary support. The article highlights the role of health care settings in addressing DVA, particularly in primary care, emergency departments, and mental health services, and stresses the importance of trauma-informed care, safeguarding collaboration, and connections with local support organisations. The guidance underscores the need for clinician training, routine inquiry, and appropriate documentation, ensuring that healthcare professionals can effectively recognise and respond to DVA cases.

Published in BMJ, the Practice Pointer can be accessed here.