An investigation of the knowledge of intimate partner violence among clinical staff working with male substance misusers

TY - JOUR

T1 - An investigation of the knowledge of intimate partner violence among clinical staff working with male substance misusers

AU - Falcone, M. Aurora

AU - Meynen, Tim

PY - 2019/8/8

Y1 - 2019/8/8

N2 - PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe a Service Improvement Project aimed at assessing the level of knowledge of intimate partner violence (IPV) of clinical staff working in Community Drug and Alcohol Services (CDAS) in four boroughs of South London.Design/methodology/approachClinical staff (n=90) completed a survey which was based on the Capability Framework (Hughes et al., 2015), developed to describe the key capabilities required to work with men who misuse drug and alcohol and perpetrate IPV. Two separate surveys were prepared for clinical (core) staff (n=76) and for manager (senior) staff (n=14).FindingsThe Capability Framework provided a useful structure for identifying key strengths and gaps in knowledge and skills related to substance use and IPV treatment in frontline CDAS staff. Significant strengths which emerged in the “core staff” survey related to the importance of assessing IPV and being empathic. Gaps related to the confidence in working with these issues and receiving support. Significant strengths which emerged in the “senior staff” survey related to the availability of supervision, information and training on IPV. Gaps related to using the Capability Framework and discussing IPV in supervision.Originality/valueFindings have important implications for the development of training addressing gaps in current knowledge and skills required when working with IPV in the context of drug and alcohol misuse.

AB - PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe a Service Improvement Project aimed at assessing the level of knowledge of intimate partner violence (IPV) of clinical staff working in Community Drug and Alcohol Services (CDAS) in four boroughs of South London.Design/methodology/approachClinical staff (n=90) completed a survey which was based on the Capability Framework (Hughes et al., 2015), developed to describe the key capabilities required to work with men who misuse drug and alcohol and perpetrate IPV. Two separate surveys were prepared for clinical (core) staff (n=76) and for manager (senior) staff (n=14).FindingsThe Capability Framework provided a useful structure for identifying key strengths and gaps in knowledge and skills related to substance use and IPV treatment in frontline CDAS staff. Significant strengths which emerged in the “core staff” survey related to the importance of assessing IPV and being empathic. Gaps related to the confidence in working with these issues and receiving support. Significant strengths which emerged in the “senior staff” survey related to the availability of supervision, information and training on IPV. Gaps related to using the Capability Framework and discussing IPV in supervision.Originality/valueFindings have important implications for the development of training addressing gaps in current knowledge and skills required when working with IPV in the context of drug and alcohol misuse.

KW - Addictions

KW - Drug and alcohol

KW - Intimate partner violence

KW - IPV

KW - Misuse

KW - Substance

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85069723012&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1108/ADD-02-2019-0001

DO - 10.1108/ADD-02-2019-0001

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85069723012

SN - 1757-0972

VL - 12

SP - 105

EP - 116

JO - Advances in Dual Diagnosis

JF - Advances in Dual Diagnosis

IS - 3

ER -