Stepping Out Year 2 Project Evaluation Report (August 2017 to July 2019)

1. Stepping Out Year 2 Project Evaluation Report (August 2017 to July 2019) Charity number: 1162349 Company number: 6588338 www.steppingstonesluton.org.uk

2. Stepping Out - Executive Summary (1) • Funded through DCMS (Tampon Tax), the Stepping Out project has supported 270 women experiencing or at risk from domestic abuse across Central Bedfordshire since August 2017. • Delivered through four experienced Practitioners, the outreach project provides gender-specific, one to one trauma-informed tailored support that enables women to overcome the multitude of issues related to domestic abuse and move forward positively with their lives. • The project is supported by Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC) who have provided funding in-kind in the form of office space (Dunstable and Stotfold) and provision of Council laptops. Through Public Health, they have also provided one year (one-off) funding for an additional Practitioner. • We now have nine delivery locations covering the whole region and we have participated in College and Council domestic abuse awareness sessions. • We have had almost 400 referrals to the project from a variety of sources including 20% from self-referrals- demonstrating an awareness amongst women in the area.

3. Stepping Out - Executive Summary (2) • Over two-thirds of the women we support are aged between 21-45 years. There is an underrepresentation of both young and older women age groups seeking support (reflecting findings by CBC) and in future we want to extend our reach to these hidden groups. • 19% of service users are from BAMER groups and we want this proportion to rise. Again, we know from CBC that domestic abuse is underreported by these groups and they can be marginalised from council services. We feel our person-centred approach would be effective in building trust and confidence. This will be a focus for the project moving forward. • Managing safety, children and social networks are some of main needs facing the women who use our service. 52% of the women accessing our support have children. • Of the women exiting the service, 41% had seen a reduction in the risk posed to them, with many experiencing positive shifts in their emotional wellbeing. For example, 65% said they felt better about themselves and more optimistic about the future after using our service. • Women were also supported to meet specific accommodation, financial, employment & training and parenting goals.

4. Background & Achievements Charity number: 1162349 Company number: 6588338 www.steppingstonesluton.org.uk

5. Stepping Out was created to offer outreach support to women/girls at risk of or who have experienced domestic abuse across Central Bedfordshire. Delivered by experienced Practitioners, our one to one support includes: • Emotional support – building self-esteem / confident • Practical support – finances, next steps, healthy relationships, decision making, accompanying services users to appointments, offering support in professional meetings/court • Information around domestic abuse – increasing knowledge and understanding, implementing strategies to manage risk. • Parenting advice and support • Sourcing additional specialist support services such as housing, debt advice, legal support etc… www.steppingstonesluton.org.uk

6. Our reach: we now deliver from 9 locations The project has extended over a larger area with 4 practitioners offering outreach support from a variety of locations in the area including: • Dunstable (MASH team, Watling House) • Dunstable – Central Beds College • Houghton Regis – Children’s Centre • Leighton Buzzard – Independent Living office/Library • Ivel – Ivel Valley Medical Centre • Biggleswade – Central Beds offices • Sandy – Helping Hands • Stotfold – The Need Project • Flitwick – the Rufus Centre www.steppingstonesluton.org.uk

7. Some of our delivery locations …

8. Commissioned by DCMS (Tampon Tax Fund), the project has gone from strength to strength since it began in 2017 Key achievements include: • 270 women and girls reached and supported. • Funding in-kind from Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC) in the form of office space (Dunstable and Stotfold) and provision of Council laptops. • Our Practitioners given access Council systems and are invited to MARAC where necessary. • Multiple delivery locations covering the whole region (covering public and voluntary sector). • Participated in College open days and provided specialist DA/healthy relationship workshops. • One year (one-off) funding for an additional Practitioner funded by Public Health in CBC.

9. Almost 400 referrals received since August 2017 High proportion of self referrals (20%) shows high awareness of the project in the community. Received almost 30 referrals some months with fluctuations due to holiday seasons. www.steppingstonesluton.org.uk

10. Service User profile Charity number: 1162349 Company number: 6588338 www.steppingstonesluton.org.uk

11. Over two-thirds (69%) of our service users are aged between 21-45 years • Slight skew for the younger age ranges, which is reflective of our work with the local college. • However, we know that there is a growing need at the younger age bracket, which most women’s specialist services do not cater for. • There also appears to be a gap for older women who are underrepresented. 87% mental health disability 22% service users have a disability including: 23% physical disability 12% learning disability www.steppingstonesluton.org.uk

12. The project has reached out to BAMER communities Ethnicity of service users • While 72% of service users are from a White British background this is in comparison 89% in the Central Bedfordshire general population. • At least 19% of service users are from BAMER groups. • But evidence from CBC tells us that women and girls from BAMER communities are more likely to be marginalised and less likely to access services. This is particularly the case for Gypsy and Traveller groups • We need to actively target these groups in the future. www.steppingstonesluton.org.uk

13. Around half the women we’ve worked with disclose current abuse • There is little difference in the types of abuse when comparing historic and current disclosures. • Sexual abuse disclosures are the lowest, with emotional abuse being the highest. • This maybe due to the fact that there are higher levels of shame/embarrassment about disclosing sexual abuse. Types of Abuse Suffered www.steppingstonesluton.org.uk

14. 13% service users have highlighted more than one need • More specifically: • In relation to safety, women are most concerned about keeping safe at home and their children. • 51% of service users express a need for support around child contact. 21% want help accessing specialist child services. • 45% want help re-establishing contact with family/friends. • It is perhaps surprising that needs around alcohol and drugs are so low, however, it is likely that clients with these needs are accessing specialist services. www.steppingstonesluton.org.uk

15. 52% service users have children • 13% of the parents accessing our service have child services involvement. • A third of these are recorded as child in need. www.steppingstonesluton.org.uk

16. We have delivered almost 2000 hours of support including: www.steppingstonesluton.org.uk

17. Impact and Outcomes Charity number: 1162349 Company number: 6588338 www.steppingstonesluton.org.uk

18. 204 service users have exited the service • We asked clients about the levels of abuse when they were exiting our service. Of those that identified the abuse in the initial assessment, the numbers opposite represent the numbers of women who reported that the abuse had either ceased completed or reduced. • There has also been a reduction in risk posed to the service user in 41% of cases.

19. Overall POWeR scores improved for 82% of service users POWeR Changes • We use a quantitative measurement tool (POWeR- Personal Outcomes and Wellbeing Record) which asks women to rate each of the following between 1 and 5 (1 being not at all, 5 being all the time): feeling safe, confident, good about themselves, close to other people, able to deal with problems well, able to make up their mind about things and feeling optimistic. • This is completed at the first meeting, after each 12 week period and on exit.

20. The project has generated a large positive shift in emotional wellbeing. 54% of women said they felt safer 61% of women said they felt more confident 47% of women said they felt closer to other people 65% said they felt better about themselves 58% said they felt better able to deal with problems 66% said they were better able to make up their mind 65% said they felt more optimistic about the future www.steppingstonesluton.org.uk

21. There are differences between needs and outcomes but this is primarily due to a change in internal reporting • This graph compares the areas where needs were identified against the outcomes achieved. • There are significant differences between the needs identified and outcomes in a number of areas – with the largest being in the areas of ETE, children and social networks. • We will use this information to explore how we can increase our outcomes in these areas – we know this is partly due to the introduction of a new case management system. • We will develop our understanding of what local sources of support already exist and how we can enable our service users to make better use of these.

22. OUTCOMES 22 women reported improvements in parenting skills and knowledge 28 women said they were better able to manage their finances 38 women reported positive health outcomes 33 women were supported to meet their accommodation goals

23. Due to progress and risk reduction, the use of statutory services has reduced • 17% of clients identified that their visits to A&E had reduced. • 16% of clients identified that their visits to their GP had reduced. • 20% of clients identified that their use of Police call outs had reduced.

24. What our service users and partners say… Charity number: 1162349 Company number: 6588338 www.steppingstonesluton.org.uk

25. “[Stepping Stones] helped me to be less proud and be more open so that I could get the right support. You helped me see I needed to let my guard down a bit.” “If I hadn’t received this support I don’t think I would have coped and my role as a mother would have been compromised.” “I would have been in a worse place and probably out on the streets. I would not have known what to have done and may have gone down a dark path. I'm glad I rang for your support. You helped me by listening and providing practical support with regards to housing and moving refuge.”

26. The project is hugely supported by our local partners “Over the last two years, Stepping Stones has been the only women’s service provider of VAWG outreach support across Central Bedfordshire. The service is an essential lifeline to so many women of different ages, and without them we know those women would continue to suffer in silence with little intervention within their communities.  AS LSCB Chair, I fully endorse this essential project, which safeguards women and in turn protects children from domestic abuse”. Alan Caton OBE Independent Chair of Central Bedfordshire Local Safeguarding Children’s Board  

27. “I would like to formally endorse the work of Stepping Stones as a provider of VAWG Outreach Services to women within our community. The service provided is quite literally a lifeline to victims of DA. We have a continued steady increase in DA incidents being reported to Police, partners and MARAC; without your outreach services women would suffer in silence and remain isolated within their communities. For two years the service has supported those who had not wanted to seek help from traditional mechanisms, and we have received such positive feedback from clients that their lives have started to turn around in a positive way, and critically that they are safer within their own home and community. I fully endorse this work, Stepping Stones and trust that this could continue with national funding support.” Joy Piper, Strategic Manager for Domestic Abuse (DA) and a Chair of the Central Bedfordshire MARAC  

28. Conclusions & Recommendations Charity number: 1162349 Company number: 6588338 www.steppingstonesluton.org.uk

29. Conclusions & Recommendations (1) SUSTAINING THE PROGRAMME • Stepping Out has been incredibly successful at reaching women & girls who have experienced domestic abuse. • The project has worked with over 270 women and girls and is the only specialist women’s service operating across Central Bedfordshire. • As such, it is hugely supported by local partners and short-term match funding for an additional practitioner has been provided by CBC until March 2020. • The project is currently funded by DCMS (Tampon Tax) until March 2020. Recommendations 1 • Identify additional funding to ensure the long term sustainability of the project. • Continue to lobby local statutory partners and commissioners to secure alternative sources of funding. • Actively promote the outcomes and impact of the project across the region.

30. Conclusions & Recommendations (2) EXPANDING OUR REACH • While we have worked with a large number of women, we need to expand our reach and specifically target those in both older and younger age groups. These groups are currently under represented in our service users. • Our data shows that we work with a slightly higher proportion of BAMER groups than the general population but there is still more to be done as certain groups are hidden from us. • This includes Gypsy and Traveller women who have been identified by the council as underrepresented. Recommendations 2 • Identify and link to specific voluntary sector groups and statutory providers who work with older, younger age groups and BAMER communities. Consider how the council can help particularly site managers on council managed Traveller sites. • Continue to develop our work in Central Bedfordshire College to target younger girls. • Develop age/community specific awareness sessions (about the project and DA) to be delivered in informal/familiar group settings.

31. Conclusions & Recommendations (3) IMPROVING OUR OUTCOMES • We have achieved some strong outcomes for women across Central Bedfordshire and are starting to be able to evidence our impact. • Women are leaving our service with a demonstrable improvement in their emotional wellbeing and relationships with other people. • We have also supported women to meet their specified goals around housing, finances, social networks and health. But we need to evidence more! We know our Practitioners are doing an amazing job and we need to ensure this is fully reported on our new case management system. It is a work in progress! Recommendations 3 • Undertake refresher training with the Practitioner team to ensure accurate capture of all outcomes achieved. • Continue to reach out and build links with community organisations, particularly those working with girls, BAMER and older people. • Develop an easier way for service users to feedback – explore Survey Monkey.

32. Some case studies Charity number: 1162349 Company number: 6588338 www.steppingstonesluton.org.uk

33. Case Study 1 X is a working mother who is now separated from her husband Y following a domestic abuse incident where he held his hands around her throat, in an attempt to strangle her and pushed her to the ground (children were not present). The incident was reported to Children’s Services – MASH Team Central Bedfordshire who then made a referral to the Stepping Out Project. X was initially very reluctant to accept the support offered to her. She minimised the abuse and was ashamed that this had happened to her. She wanted Y to return to the family home as she did not want to cause more damage to her family. Initially she declined the support we offered to her and said that she did not need it. However, the following week she contacted the main office and asked if she could see a worker as she was not in a good place. A practitioner made contact with her and booked her in for an appointment. The worker could see that she was embarrassed and was physically shaking. Through her gentle approach, the worker was able to offer support and reassurance and X disclosed that she was in a bad place and realised she needed support. Since then X has been receiving one to one support on a weekly basis. This has enabled her to acknowledge that the abuse has been going on for many years and has recently escalated to Y being physically abusive towards her. Since the incident she had been off work as she was suffering from anxiety and low self-esteem. In session, the keyworker has supported her to build her self-esteem and confidence. X has engaged really well within her sessions and the key worker can visibly see a difference in her. X has since returned to work where her manager and colleagues have said they could see a change in her which has given her the confidence to keep going. She has also filed for divorce and has said she feels she is now able to take steps to get her life back again as she was previously scared that she could not do it on her own. The keyworker has been able to support her through this process by referring her to solicitors and one to one support.

34. Case Study 2 J was referred to us in December 2018 by one of the Domestic Abuse Engagement Officers at Central Beds Council. This referral came in just days before we closed as a service for Christmas. They gave background information and stated that they felt that this possibly needed a MARAC referral. Staff could only contact J by email initially. A practitioner made contact with J on the 21st December by email explaining who they were and that it was important that they contact her today as they would be closed until the New Year. Staff also urged J to report any incidents to the Police whilst the service was closed and to contact the NCDV who would be able to give her advice, help get orders in place and look for refuge if needed. J called staff that day staff and we were able to establish what J wanted to do and the types of abuse experienced – psychological, financial, verbal, coercive and controlling behaviours daily. J felt unable to leave their son in her partner’s care as she does not trust him. J told staff that they have a joint tenancy but he has ended this and they have to be move out on the 2nd January and he was expecting that they are all going to live with his mum. J does not want to do this. Staff went through the options available to her – present to the council as homeless / fleeing DV, report to the Police, contact NCDV. J told staff that she does not want to do anything before Christmas and that she plans to leave next week. Other than the conversation she had had with the referrer and conversations with GP staff, we were the first people she had told about what was going on. Staff asked J if they could complete a DASH with her so that a referral to MARAC could be completed. Staff explained what MARAC was and stated that the DASH would show what risk she was at. J agreed to staff calling her once the service reopens. The allocation practitioner had text and telephone contact with J on the 2nd Jan – J told the practitioner that things had been difficult over Christmas and that she was leaving in the next hour to go to refuge in Bedford. Staff agreed to call J the next day to check how she was. There was regular phone contact with J giving her advice and reassurance daily until the case was heard at MARAC. Contact went to weekly phone contact checking on J’s wellbeing and advising on housing and contact concerns as well as giving emotional support and reassurance. This helped J stay at the refuge and not return to her family – when she first arrived at the refuge J had been incredibly unhappy and had felt even more isolated. The practitioner encouraged J to talk to the staff at the refuge so that they could support her. The practitioner also encouraged her to attend the Freedom Programme. The last contact with J was on the 20th Feb, where she appeared to be much more settled and happier as things were progressing – she has made her housing application to Central Beds. We have agreed that a practitioner will close her case whilst she remains out of the area and J will recontact staff once she is back in Central Beds so that support can resume.

35. Case Study 3 B self-referred to Stepping Stones in February 2019, she wanted support in court due to being accused of harming her child (she was later found not guilty). B has a history of being in abusive relationships. Her last relationship resulted in her child being severely harmed and hospitalised due to being beaten by her ex partner. Her son was rushed to the hospital as he had suffered a brain haemorrhage. Her son was immediately removed from her care, an investigation was undertaken and her ex partner was found guilty by the court. B was given supervised contact once a week and she found this very difficult and was distraught. When she came in for her initial assessment she was shaking and crying throughout her appointment. She said that she wanted to work hard to ‘get herself better’ in order to get her son back in her care. Stepping Stones supported B and liaised with other professionals such as Children’s Services in order to achieve this goal, always focussing on the safety of her child. B started attending the Freedom Programme on a one to one basis and has almost completed the programme. In her sessions, she shared that she has a better understanding of domestic abuse and the impact it has on a child. She was also referred to attend the Nurture parenting programme at our Luton site which she attends regularly. She has now been granted more contact and overnight supervised contact with her son and the judge was pleased with all the progress she has made so far and suggested that the supervised contact be lifted. B has started working again and has built her confidence. Since being referred she has been accessing our services and has embraced the support that has been offered to her. She engages well and has never missed any of her appointments. She has set goals in order to get her son back in her care and is working hard towards a positive future with her son.