Steps to Change

A whole-family approach to tackling domestic abuse and stalking

Surrey Steps to Change is the UK’s first multi-agency hub providing coordinated, whole-family support to people affected by domestic abuse and stalking – including victims, children and perpetrators.

Led by Interventions Alliance, the Hub brings together specialist services from the Surrey Domestic Abuse Partnership, Waythrough Surrey’s Youth Using Violence & Abuse team, and policing partners to deliver a trauma-informed, joined-up approach focused on reducing harm and increasing survivor safety.

The Steps to Change hub is commissioned by the Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner.

facilitator in steps to change
How the Hub works

How the Hub works

The Hub combines expertise from multiple agencies to provide:

  • Integrated case reviews and real-time information sharing
  • Earlier identification of risk and opportunities to prevent escalation
  • Tailored support for adults, children, victims and perpetrators
  • Co-ordinated safeguarding and risk management
  • Referrals into the right services and interventions

 

Referrals can be made by professionals including police, social care and healthcare services. The Hub also takes self-referrals in cases of domestic abuse.

 

A key strength of the model is its ability to support the whole family, ensuring people receive the most appropriate intervention and reducing the risk of people falling through gaps between services.

Supporting behaviour change and survivor safety

The Hub creates opportunities for earlier intervention and out-of-court resolutions, enabling police and partner agencies to refer people directly into behaviour change and support services where appropriate.

 

By working collaboratively across agencies, the Hub helps:

 

  • Increase survivor safety
  • Reduce harm caused by domestic abuse and stalking
  • Improve information sharing and safeguarding
  • Provide more coordinated support for families
  • Reduce pressure on the criminal justice system

Research review

An 18-month review found the model is helping to improve survivor safety and reduce harm from perpetrators of domestic abuse and stalking.

 

Learn more

Stories of Hope

Stories of Hope

Participants have described improvements in their physical and psychological safety, wellbeing, and access to support. In several cases, they told us that without the Hub’s intervention, their situations may have worsened.

 

The findings also demonstrated how the Hub’s whole-family approach can identify needs that may otherwise be missed. In some cases, people initially referred for perpetrator interventions were later identified as victim-survivors needing specialist domestic abuse support.

 

Other families received coordinated support for multiple and complex needs, including support for children affected by violence and abuse in the home, parents seeking help, and perpetrators engaging with behaviour change services.

"The Hub provides support to every member of a family, ensuring no-one falls through the gaps. It enables individuals and families to be connected to the right services for them, especially in complex situations where tailored support and safeguarding are essential.” Victoria Curtis
Head of Behaviour Change Practice at Interventions Alliance

Delivered in partnership with

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If you want to find out more about our services or ways to partner with us, we’d love to hear from you.

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