1 Domestic violence information

Using Treatment Outcomes Profiles (TOP) and Care Planning
to address domestic violence
We know that many victims (and perpetrators) will not disclose
experiences of domestic violence at initial assessments. However,
disclosures might be made later when you have established more
of a relationship with the service user.
The answers to some of the TOP questions/monitoring could alert
a practitioner to the possibility of domestic violence and therefore
could provide the opportunity to explore the issue further.
Questions on mental, physical health, quality of life, social circumstances
and offending could all open a window of opportunity to
address domestic violence with service users.
For example, a question about quality of life and relationships
with partner and family could be followed by a question about
whether your service user is frightened of anyone at home or
whether they have done anything they regret towards a partner
when they are using/drinking.
3.4 Documentation for client files
The following is taken from Refining the Routes, Domestic Violence
and Substance Misuse: Policies, Procedures and Protocols for
Camden (2007).
It is important to keep accurate, concise, relevant and up to date
records of all incidents of domestic violence that a client discloses. All
notes should be written during the session with the client, agreed by
the client, and signed and dated.
It is possible that these case notes may be used for legal purposes in
the future, and thus will be beneficial for the client should they wish to
pursue the abuse through legal channels.
These records will be stored with the agency. The client should be
offered the option of receiving a copy. However, it is important to
advise clients that it may not be safe to keep records at home or
on their person as they may be discovered by the perpetrator.
Any documentation will include the record of the routine inquiry, the
client responses (including types of abuse experienced with examples
given by the client and any context).
The worker’s response including discussion of options and informationgiving,
risk assessment, any injuries that have been noted, any referrals
made, any safety plans, and scheduled follow-up appointments.
Even if domestic violence is not identified as an issue, it should still be
documented that the worker inquired about it, and the client response.
If the worker did not inquire about domestic violence as part of this
Domestic Violence Routine Inquiry Policy, this should also be
documented with the reasons why this did not occur.
Possible reasons could relate to issues of safety. For example, if the
client was accompanied by the perpetrator or by anyone else, if it
was not possible to speak in a confidential setting, or if the client left
before the appointment was completed.
124
© Stella Project Section 3 - Domestic Violence
© Stella Project Section 3 - Domestic Violence 125