Intimate Relationship Spectrum*

INTER-COUPLE/PARENTAL CONFLICT
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE /ABUSE
Mostly
Respectful, Conflictual, Situational
respectful, Controlling Coercive control
couple conflict,
equal, equal, non- /abusive and physical harm,
communicative, abuse,
co-operative, co-operative, behaviour fear of violence/
violence
happy (but experiencing non-violent death
both ways
difficulties)
SITUATION SITUATION SITUATION SITUATION SITUATION SITUATION
All relationships have Lack of open and Conflict is frequent, Day to day unresolved Clearer ‘victim’ and Clear ‘abuser’ and
tricky moments, it’s how honest intense and poorly and unresolvable clearer ‘abuser’ ‘victim’ who is at
they’re experienced and communication; resolved; parents conflicts; no consistent significant risk of harm
resolved that ma ers difficulties are emotionally pa ern of ‘victim’ or Children being
minimised, not unavailable to their ‘abuser’ significantly adversely Children at risk of
Children are recognised or partner and children; affected; children’s significant harm;
experiencing addressed lack of consistency in Children being adversely mental health and/or children being
constructive resolution parenting; feeling affected; children may behaviour being traumatised
of any arguments, Children beginning to isolated; toxic show signs of distress affected
characterised by be affected by conflict atmosphere and their mental health/ ACTION
mutual respect and between their parents behaviour may be ACTION Referral to specialist
emotional control Children being affected Family assessment; domestic abuse
ACTION adversely affected follow domestic abuse service(s); refer to
Early conversation ACTION pathways/processes; children’s services
initiated by Family ACTION Family assessment; refer to children’s
Practitioner; direct to Family assessment; contact your local services
sources of self-help consider referral to helpline or the National
couples counselling, Domestic Abuse Helpline
mediation or other for advice/access to
local services services
CONTINUUM OF CHILDREN’S NEED
UNIVERSAL TARGETED SPECIALIST ASSESSMENT
EMERGING NEEDS INTENSIVE FAMILY SUPPORT
Adapted by the Stefanou Foundation from the model* developed by Dr Mark Farrall, Ignition Creative Learning Limited
www.stefanoufoundation.org
Version 4: March 2019