In the run up to the end of last year I began piling up “things to read” – and am finally finding a space to work my way through some fascinating papers and reports.
Top of the pile was the report from Liverpool John Moores University in conjunction with Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership, Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership – Child and Adolescent to Parent / Caregiver Violence and Abuse (CAPVA) research study 2023. The report examines the awareness of CAPVA in the Merseyside area, and the current responses to it, as well as making a series of recommendations for the development of both going forward. For the study, the team interviewed a number of practitioners and families to inform their findings, and there are extensive quotes from them within the report which bring energy and emphasis.
We should not be surprised that the findings reflect the growing body of research which has pointed to the difficulties posed by the lack of an agreed terminology and the consequent problems with data collection. Similarly, issues with unreliable funding are highlighted, lack of training for practitioners, a mixed response from agencies and an absence of a sense of overall responsibility. While only a very small percentage of practitioners believed there were adequate services in place, it is nevertheless encouraging to read that almost half the practitioners interviewed were confident to offer support to families themselves.
There is a very useful table showing the various interventions offered by organisations within the Merseyside area; and a series of recommendations split between System-wide and Intervention specific actions:
- Establish a Merseyside CAPVA Multi-agency Steering Group
- Enhance CAPVA data collection and sharing within and across organisations.
- Training for practitioners.
- Public awareness campaign.
- Support website and helpline.
- Increase police awareness of support services.
- Parent / caregiver support groups.
- Engage schools in prevention.
- Tailor interventions to ensure they are person / family centred, considering neurodiversity.
- Research and evaluation.
Some of these have featured in many reports, but others are newer and, to me, demonstrate the way in which authorities are beginning to bring a greater imagination to the table, focussing on the specific needs of their area, as well as the wider universal issues.
This report follows on from the work of the London VRU which reported in 2022. Work continues to follow up on the findings and recommendations of this earlier research, and I look forward to reading more from both authorities as they are able to embed the recommendations in practice.
HOLES IN THE WALL 