Chief Investigator: Dr Michelle Myall, Associate Professor, University of Southampton

Co-Investigators: Dr Sophia Taylor, Senior Research Assistant, University of Southampton; Dr Susi Lund, Visiting Research Fellow, University of Southampton

Partners who collaborated on the research: Anjelica Finnegan, Senior Male Engagement Worker, Southampton City Council; Caroline Bate, Domestic Abuse Coordinator, Southampton City Council; Colin McAllister, Senior Public Health Practitioner, Southampton City Council; Francesca Mountfort, Male Engagement Worker, Southampton City Council; Kate Harvey, Public Health Consultant, Southampton City Council

Start Date: 19 October 2023

End date: 30 September 2024

Why is this research needed?

An estimated 2.4 million adults experienced domestic abuse in 2019 in England and Wales. In April 2021 the Domestic Abuse Act was introduced in England and Wales. This created a new definition of domestic abuse to include “any incidents or patterns of incidents of controlling, coercive, or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over, who are or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. Domestic abuse can encompass, but is not limited to psychological, physical, sexual, financial and emotional abuse”. The Act required local authorities to expand their support and provision available to those experiencing domestic abuse.

As part of a review by Southampton City Council into whether it meets the requirements of the new Act it found that alleged perpetrators of domestic abuse are not being effectively assessed or adequately supported. This is particularly true of young (step-) fathers.

To address this gap, in 2020 Southampton City Council established a Male Engagement Worker (MEW) Project to work with high-risk male perpetrators of domestic abuse who have (step-) children and have local authority children’s services involved. This newly established service has yet to be evaluated.

What were the aims?

To evaluate Southampton City Council’s new domestic abuse service focusing around the newly created Male Engagement Worker Project.

How was the study carried out?

We carried out interviews with key informants and relevant stakeholders and analysed audit data collected about the service.

What we found

Overall, the MEW project was seen as valuable in supporting early intervention, improving safety, and helping individuals reflect on and change harmful behaviours. The referral process, particularly case consultation, was viewed positively for improving communication between professionals. As a small, non-statutory service, MEW faced challenges around funding, visibility, and capacity, and its work was complex, requiring long-term engagement. Integration into the Family Safeguarding Model which was introduced by the Council in September 2024, and brings together expert practitioners in multi-agency teams who can support parents who are experiencing domestic abuse, mental ill-health, alcohol and substance use, to address issues that could result in children and young people being at risk of harm or needing to come into care  has strengthened multi-agency working but also created challenges, particularly around maintaining relationships and ensuring access to the service.

Outcomes

 We shared findings with stakeholders through a presentation. We also produced a report and executive summary of findings and recommendations for Southampton City Council and shared learnings with other relevant local authority and third sector organisations.  Findings were also shared at the Southampton City Council’s Domestic Abuse and Violence against Women and Girls Strategic Partnership Board to inform further funding and commissioning decisions of the MEW project.