CMARS > 7 Minute Briefing – North Lincolnshire Joint targeted area inspection (JTAI) of the multi- agency response to children who are victims of Domestic Abuse Dry-Run Event

7 Minute Briefing – North Lincolnshire Joint targeted area inspection (JTAI) of the multi- agency response to children who are victims of Domestic Abuse Dry-Run Event

Table of contents

  1. Background
  2. Purpose
  3. Aims and Outcomes
  4. Good Practice 
  5. Observations of learning
  6. Next Steps 
  7. Further Information

1. Background

It was announced that the theme of JTAI from the Autumn 2024 was Domestic Abuse. The guidance was then published in October 2024.
The North Lincolnshire Children’s MARS Board facilitated a Dry Run event in October and November 2024 in preparation for potential JTAI notification on domestic abuse.
The JTAI scopes the multi-agency response to children aged 0 to 7 years, including unborn children, who are victims of domestic abuse in a local authority area.

2. Purpose

Domestic Abuse and the Impact on the Child is a shine light area of focus during 2024/25 for the Children’s MARS Board and its partners. As the JTAI inspection involves all partners and other agencies it was felt the dry-run event not only aimed to provide partners with an experience of a JTAI ahead of potential notification, but also contributed to the shared outcomes so that individuals are safe, strong and resilient and that people are enabled to recover and withstand adverse effects by reducing the impact of domestic abuse.

3. Aims and Outcomes

The dry run event was scheduled, where possible, within the time frames of the guidance. From a data perspective we were keen to experience the quick turnaround the data lists must be produced for inspectors whilst first requiring validation from partners and other agencies.

Using the key lines of enquiries within the guidance to produce multi-agency audits we hoped to collate learning of our current local offer for families within North Lincolnshire and then identify any potential gaps.

4. Good Practice

Some examples of good practice shown from the dry-run event itself and also from the practice information gathered from the audit session of the cases are:
• All partners and agencies contributed to the validation of the data
• All partners and agencies that were relevant to the cases selected for audit prepared, attended and contributed to the multi-agency audits
• Those who contributed felt it had been a positive and informative event
• Evidence of extensive partnership working and communication was evident in the cases
• Manager oversight was clear at different stages of the intervention by different agencies
• The views of the children were clear within some of the practice
• Excellent transition support was recognised
• Open and honest approaches with the families was apparent
• Strong trusting relationship between families and practitioners was evident

5. Observation of Learning

Some examples of learning and points considered from the dry-run event itself and from the information gathered for the audits are:
• Impact of interventions and their effectiveness to break the cycle. Previous support and interventions need to be evaluated to understand the effectiveness as opposed to replicating previous interventions
• Although the JTAI audits are for a 6-month window – consider history and past experiences when auditing
• Ensure offer is informed by diversity to recognize differences
• Toolkit review required with a focus on upskilling the workforce and provide an understanding of risk to children in DA
• Family solutions/widening the family network. Who is the trusted person within their life?
• Step Out Plans – understanding the plans, are they clear and consistent for domestic abuse
• Safety planning to reduce the level of risk
• How to articulate the offer for children- are we confident in the offer and is it clear
• Understanding the impact of trauma and the language around this
• A recognition that the majority of cases audited were mainly supported in the early help arena

6. Next Steps

  • The Performance Team to build in regular circulation of the data for continual validation of new cases flagged as having DA as a factor
  • Additional data to be provided within the lists to agencies to aid the identification of children across different systems for example parent’s details
  • Action plan and process document to be updated following learning from the event
  • Overview of the Domestic Abuse Offer within North Lincolnshire to be produced
  • Use the learning to inform future practice – examples to be fed into the bi-monthly JTAI Inspection Partnership Meetings
  • Task and finish group to implement observations of learning and to also consider identifying domestic abuse champions across the workforce
  • Next steps of training to be mapped to upskill workforce across the multi-agency partnership to increase confidence, including early help workforce
  • Review of the DA toolkit to ensure it is fit for purpose

7. Further Information