What we do

We provide accredited learning, development and practical tools

Trained practitioners save lives. Since we were founded in 2005, we have provided learning and development to over 1,500 Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs) and a range of other frontline multi-agency professionals (for example, those working in police, health and children’s services etc). Our Continuing Professional Development programme for IDVAs and health and social care professionals offers higher level learning on specific topics. We also offer a range of free downloadable resources for professionals working with victims.

We facilitate a multi-agency response: saving lives, saving money

CAADA supports and develops the work of Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARACs): meetings where information about high risk domestic abuse victims is shared between local public agencies. By bringing all agencies together at a MARAC, a coordinated safety plan can be drawn up to support the victim. Over 260 MARACs are operating across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Over the last year, over 57,000 high risk adult cases and over 75,000 associated child cases were supported.

Early analysis shows that following intervention by a MARAC and an IDVA service, up to 60% of domestic abuse victims report no further violence. But this approach doesn’t just save lives. Severe domestic abuse causes spiralling, entrenched costs to the tax payer – we estimate that the average high risk domestic abuse case costs almost £20,000 in public money, based on an assumed average number of police call outs, A&E attendances and GP support. This results in estimated direct costs of around £2.4 billion per year to the tax payer, and still more to employers. By proactively engaging with identified high risk victims and establishing safety plans as quickly as possible, CAADA’s work aims to substantially reduce the cost associated with severe domestic abuse.

We share and embed best practice

CAADA’s Leading Lights programme recognizes and rewards good and safe practice in IDVA services, providing service providers and commissioners with a set of common standards that reflect best practice for supporting high risk victims. Over 20 services have achieved accreditation, and a further 30 are engaged in the programme.

Our MARAC Development Programme supports the sharing and embedding of best practice, ensuring that victims of domestic abuse receive a consistent, safety-focused service wherever they are, while allowing for local differences in practice.

We gather evidence to shape national policy and local practice

CAADA’s Insight service enables domestic abuse services to measure the effect that their work has on the safety of victims and the resulting value of this. The service is already being used by 16 domestic abuse services operating across the UK. The first findings of this national data, involving over 2,500 victim cases has now been published in our report, A Place of Greater Safety. Our extensive data gives us a strong evidence base which helps us shape the national policy agenda and influence local practice.

CAADA’s consultancy and evaluation team conducts research projects which are used to inform practice and policy developments. Finally, both our Insights service and our Leading Lights programme provide the evidence that domestic abuse services need to become commissioning ready.

To download a copy of CAADA's Services and Learning Programme for 2011-12, click here.

Back to About us