My IRIS advocate has helped me really get back on my feet and shown such love and empathy that gave me encouragement to get back out there and make a life for myself.
IRIS (Identification and Referral to Improve Safety)
IRIS is a GP based Domestic Abuse and violence (DAV) training and referral programme that has been evaluated in a randomised controlled trial. The main two areas of the programme are: training GP practices on recognising DAV and how they can use the referral pathway to IRIS specialist service; and providing support for patients who are experiencing all forms of Domestic Abuse. It is aimed at women and men who are experiencing DAV from a current partner, ex-partner or family member.
If you are being hurt or controlled by someone in your family, are afraid of someone at home or are in a violent relationship you can talk in private, to doctors, nurses and other staff at your Bolton GP practice. The practice will refer you through to the IRIS project and a support worker will contact you to arrange an appointment.
We are now in our fourth year of the IRIS project. We have two Advocate Educators and their role is a dual role.
As an Educator – they provide training and support for GP’s, clinicians and their reception team in Bolton surgeries to enable them to recognise Domestic Abuse and violence, to give them the confidence to ask, to record, and to refer into the service.
As an Advocate – they provide practical and emotional support in order to empower our client base, agree safety plans and perform risk assessments.
IRIS referrals
Since December 2014, IRIS Bolton have had over 1000 referrals in to the project from 49 practices and trained 1,121 NHS staff.
In the financial year 2018-2019, we received 201 referrals which is a 29% increase on the previous year. We also identified 32 patients who were subject to serious harm / at risk of murder due to Domestic Abuse and Violence (DAV).
The IRIS project supports men as well as women, 12 males were referred and engaged with our service last year. All of these men were in a heterosexual relationship.
Patients Referred to IRIS
What our Clients have to say about IRIS…
My IRIS support worker has been great. She is helpful, understanding and a great listener. She’s also very knowledgeable about domestic abuse and has helped me so much.
My Advocate Educator has been a fantastic support and kept me strong when having to face court against my ex-husband. She has given me valuable advice and helped me through the court process.
When you suffer domestic abuse as a man in a relationship it is just laughed off by pretty much everyone and it makes you feel utterly hopeless and alone. Thankfully, with your help I’ve been able to find a way to deal with my partner’s erratic behaviour and I can see some light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you
I would personally like to thank my IRIS worker for her time and for the help she gave me. If it hadn’t have been for her I am not sure what state of mind I would be in now. Thanks you so much.
The support I received from my Advocate Educator was extremely helpful and appreciated. She helped me get in contact with the right services that I needed at the time, and services that I did not think of asking for help from.
I just wanted to say thank you to you and your colleague for all the support, if it wasn’t for you I don’t think I could have given a statement to the police. Really appreciate everything you have done for me.
Contact us to find out more about our IRIS Training
What professionals have to say about IRIS…
I found the section on responding appropriately to a patient disclosing domestic abuse very helpful. The training regarding perpetrators was interesting as we often think of the victim only.
All of the training was helpful and very interesting. I feel I now have more knowledge and a better understanding of domestic abuse and the IRIS service.
Training was very well delivered, very informative and clear. All of it was helpful including discussing the benefit of asking probing questions and different ways of asking the question. I thought the case study of the Domestic Homicide Review was thought provoking and real cases bring the topic to life. I thought the training was excellent. Thank you to all of you at IRIS for providing such a valuable service to people in Bolton.
Very good training, things were brought to my attention I wasn’t aware of. The wheel was very interesting, I didn’t realise how things can creep up on you and develop further
Very interesting session, some of the facts presented were fascinating and the perp referral number very useful
Good training. Good to learn about how to refer DAV and recognise perpetrators
Fabulous training. 33 years in nursing and it has never been covered before re health issues and DAV. Thank you!
Really enjoyed. Provided lots of relevant and practical information. Thank you!