Domestic abuse & mental health social work

Working with domestic abuse is a very challenging issue. Whether in emergency cases or ongoing casework in mental health and adult protection, it is demanding of ongoing development for me as a social worker. In out of hours, I was lucky to benefit from development by a children and families team leader in Edinburgh, who is an approved trainer for The "Safe and Together" Model. The model aims to increase practitioner skillfulness in domestic abuse, encouraging us to reframe our language and ensure we avoid the traps of victim blaming and promoting the safety and wellbeing of the whole family. 

One of their suite of tools is specifically designed for use in emergency or duty situations, in terms of the engagement and early investigation of risks and initial safety planning. It was very helpful to revisit how our language affects the internalised sense of choices and skills in those we work with, and how the way we frame and record strengths and challenges can set the agenda for teams we pass onto for follow up. In adult protection work, we have to stay mindful that even those with active symptoms and subject to compulsory treamtment can maintain decision making ability for their relationships. For instance, clients may actively be balancing cost and benefit in a relationship I view as abusive, so I have to sit with that, and, in conjunction with multidisciplinary teams, keep offering support and contacts with other specialist agencies. 

In working with those who have offended - particularly while unwell -  in the past, I sometimes have to carefully balance my therapeutic relationship, which enhances honest sharing ,with the need for public protection and to minimise future risks. This has led to difficult and extremely frank and challenging conversations with partners who are not my clients, but whose needs can take the strong priority for action in that moment.