How to refer
Professionals who receive disclosures of domestic abuse from their clients, or have concerns that domestic abuse is an issue, should complete a MERIT risk assessment with the individual victim. The MERIT risk assessment tool is designed to assess the present risk of serious harm, escalation and/or homicide posed to the victim by the person/s they feel at risk from.
You should use the Guidance Tool version of the MERIT risk assessment tool – this has been designed to help you complete the risk assessment accurately & thoroughly.
By completing the MERIT risk assessment, you will identify the level of risk & this will determine the local referral pathway to follow.
There are three risk levels associated with the MERIT risk assessment:
High Risk Scores (Gold)
If you complete a merit & it scores 72+ you have identified the victim at high risk of serious harm, escalation and/or homicide.
You should follow the St Helens MARAC pathway by completing a MARAC referral form and submitting this with a copy of the MERIT risk assessment tool.
MARAC stands for Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference – it is multi-agency information sharing forum where all high risk domestic abuse cases are discussed. For more information about the aims and role of MARAC’s click here.
Key Points:
The MARAC referral form should be completed in full and submitted to St Helens MARAC with a copy of the completed MERIT risk assessment.
Referrals should be sent via email to maracreferrals@sthelens.gov.uk
St Helens MARAC officer will triage the referral and liaise with referrers if additional information is required.
Complete referrals will be forwarded from the MARAC officer to the Safe2Speak IDVA service.
A Safe2Speak Independent Domestic Violence Adviser (IDVA) will be assigned and must attempt initial contact with the victim with 24 working hours.
Medium & Standard Risk Scores (Silver & Bronze)
If the MERIT score is medium or standard risk, referrals can be made to the Safe2Speak Outreach service with the victims consent.
Download the Domestic Abuse Outreach referral form here.
The referral form should be completed fully with a copy of the MERIT attached & submitted to dvreferral@torus.co.uk
New referrals are triaged by our Risk identification Officer.
First initial contact attempt will be made with the victim within 48-72 hours of receiving the referral.
Professional Judgement – MARAC Criteria
In some instances, with medium & standard risk scores, your professional judgement may be that the risk score is not reflective of the victims experience. Your professional judgement is that the risk is high.
For these cases, you can refer the victim to St Helens MARAC on professional judgement.
If you wish to discuss a professional judgement referral with a Safe2Speak practitioner, you can contact the Safe2Speak mainline on 01744743200 for a case discussion.
Accessing Emergency Refuge Accommodation
To access refuge accommodation based services, professionals and victims can call the our 24hr Helpline based on 01925 220541.
As a professional, you will asked to provide detailed information about the victim seek refuge space and the outcome of the MERIT you have completed.
Helpline staff have access to the national refuge vacancy database & can share information regarding which refuges nationally are showing possible space.
If there is a vacancy within the Safe2Speak refuge – a referral will be completed by refuge staff and this information screened to determine if refuge space can be offered.
Alternatively, professionals and victims can contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 08082000247 – this is a 24hr number also.
Out Of Hours Domestic Abuse Helpline
The domestic abuse helpline is operated by trained staff providing advice, guidance and emotional support to victims of domestic abuse. The helpline can also be utilised by professionals who need assistance after 5pm.
It is recommended agencies access the helpline out of hours (evenings and weekends) to gather information about service eligibility, refuge spaces & signposting.
Agencies can share the 24 hour helpline number with their clients. It is important clients are advised to store it in their phones discreetly so their safety is not compromised.
The Helpline number is 01925 220541.
Safe2Speak Programme
The Safe2Speak programme is a specialist information sharing course for anyone who has been or is affected by domestic abuse and wishes to access specialist practical advice and support through facilitated group work sessions.
The programme is currently under re-development for 2025 and a waiting list is in operation.
Referrals are still being accepted from partner agencies – the Safe2Speak Programme ONLY form should be completed & submitted to dvreferral@tous.co.uk
It is important to note referring a person for the Safe2Speak Programme is not equivalent to IDVA or DA Outreach support.
A person does not need to be open to an IDVA or DA Outreach service to access the programme.
Download the Safe2Speak Programme referral form here
We're here for you
Domestic Abuse Services
Open 8am - 5pm
01744 743200
24hr free Helpline
01925 220541
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