Assessing Risk

DASH RISK INDICATOR CHECKLIST

The most widely used risk assessment is the DASH Risk Indicator Checklist which was developed by national organisation Safe Lives.  DASH stands for Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Honour based violence and it is based on research about the indicators of high-risk domestic abuse. The Dash risk indicator checklist is available in several languages, as is guidance on how to use the tool.

The checklist can be used by any professional or volunteer working with a victim of domestic abuse and consists of a list of questions with Yes/No answer options.  Where possible, the DASH should always be carried out with the victim in a confidential, quiet space and ALWAYS away from the abuser.  Some of the questions on the DASH may be upsetting for the victim to think about.

The higher the number of ‘yes’ answers on the DASH, the more the victim is at risk of serious harm or death.

As well as using the scoring mechanism, professional judgement of risk must be used – especially where it is hard to evidence the abuse or you feel the victim is not sharing everything with you.

In Cambridgeshire, the threshold for referring a case to the IDVA Service is a score of 14 or more (with consent).  Referral to MARAC is a score of 17 or more (consent not essential) or professional judgement of high risk. High risk means that the victim is at significant risk of murder and/or serious injury and needs urgent help. At MARAC (Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference) all the relevant local agencies will come together to make a plan to help keep the victim safe.

In Cambridgeshire, we have an Older People’s DASH (OPDASH) that is recommended for use with victims aged 60+.  The OP DASH includes questions about risks that may be more relevant to older people such as health, caring responsibilities and familial abuse.

We also have a Young People’s DASH specifically for assessing risk of young people (13-19 or up to 24 with additional needs) who are experiencing abuse in their own intimate relationships.  The YP DASH can also be found on our website.

For a short training guide on using the DASH, please visit Completing a DASH Risk Indicator Checklist | Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Safeguarding Partnership Board (safeguardingcambspeterborough.org.uk)

You can download and complete the DASH from the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Partnership website at www.cambsdasv.org.uk.

Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs) provide an independent service offering crisis intervention and support to victims and survivors of domestic abuse. Crisis support is defined as being short-term following a reported incident of abuse.

The IDVA team are based at a Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) at Huntingdon.  IDVAS accept referrals from professionals only – for more information on how to refer please visit Cambridgeshire County Council DASV Partnership – Make a Referral (cambsdasv.org.uk)

The Cambs IDVA team work across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough with staff allocated to each district as well as the following specialist IDVA’s:

• Young people IDVAS work with victims aged 13-19 years.
• A8 IDVAs work with victims and survivors from Eastern European A8 countries.
• Health IDVAS accept referrals from any hospital or community based health service.
• Ethnic Minority IDVA works with victims from minority ethnic backgrounds.
• Housing IDVAs work closely with housing providers

IDVAs are able to:

• Talk through clients’ options and give information to help them make decisions.
• Advocate with other partner services on behalf of their clients.
• Assist with personal safety planning for clients and their children in order to reduce risk;
• Support clients through the civil and criminal justice system.
• Support/options given regarding housing and alternative safe accommodation.
• Provide emotional support.

The Duty IDVA is able to offer general advice to professionals only – please email idva.referrals@cambridgeshire.gov.uk or call 01480 847718

Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARAC)

Where the DASH score is 17+, or the practitioner can evidence significant risk, the case will go to the next available MARAC meeting for discussion.  Where there has been a repeat incident or escalation of abuse, these cases will also go/return to MARAC.

The aims of a MARAC are to:

• Safeguard adult victims at high risk of future domestic violence.
• Make links with other public protection arrangements, such as people presenting a risk to children or vulnerable adults.
• Safeguard staff working with the family.

Representatives of the below statutory and voluntary organisations attend the meeting:

• local police
• health
• housing practitioners
• independent domestic violence advisers (IDVAs)
• probation
• children and adults safeguarding
• substance misuse services
• other specialists

In Cambridgeshire, a MARAC meeting is held 3 times per week. It is preferable to have the consent of the victim before making a referral to MARAC but it is not essential.

You can learn about how to make a referral to MARAC on the Cambridgeshire Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Partnership website at www.cambsdasv.org

Refuges and Outreach Services

A score of below 14 on the DASH should be carefully considered to ensure the most appropriate support is offered to the victim.

Outreach/Mobile Advocacy support is provided by Impakt Domestic Abuse Support Service (DASS).  DASS welcome self-referrals or contact from professionals and support victims of all gender identities across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.  DASS can be contacted on 0300 373 1073 or email DASSReferrals@impakt.org.uk (Mon-Fri, 9am to 5pm)

There are four refuges across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough for women fleeing domestic abuse, plus a range of accommodation for women with complex needs.

It is not advisable for women to be housed in the area that they live or an area that they have close connections to as this makes it easier for the perpetrator to find them.  The IDVA Service and Outreach can place victims in refuges.

Where a crime has been committed, the Cambridgeshire Victim and Witness Hub can offer support and help with accessing services Victim Services | Victim and Witness Hub (cambsvictimservices.co.uk).