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Home Page >  About Cafcass >  Commissioning and Partnership >  DVPP

Domestic Violence Perpetrator Programmes (DVPP)

 

Domestic Violence Perpetrator Programmes (DVPPs) are delivered in Private Law cases in the Family Courts, under sections 11A-G Children Act 1989 (as amended by the Children and Adoption Act 2006) as ’Contact Activities’.

DVPPs are designed for use in some types of cases where Domestic Violence has been identified as a concern related to a Family Proceedings case. DVPP is a group programme for men to develop their skills and understanding, enabling them to:

Improve their relationship with their ex-partner and where relevant, their current partner

Ensure, as far as is possible, their use of violence and abusive behaviour towards a partner is not repeated

Develop safe, positive parenting

Increase their awareness of themselves and the effect of the domestic violence on their ex- partner and children   

Resolve conflicts in intimate relationships non-abusively

DVPP groups are of between 8-12 participants, take place outside working time and weekly sessions last for between 2 and 2.5 hours over about 6 months.  Every DVPP has a parallel service that supports partners and ex-partners at risk from domestic violence and this service is offered to the partner and ex-partner of any person assessed for the DVPP.

In all cases referred by the courts DVPP providers will assess an individual’s suitability for the programme.  Cafcass is available to provide advice to the court about suitability and appropriateness of requiring participation in DVPP, and the management of contact during and after DVPP, depending on progress.

The DVPP reports back to Cafcass on attendance, participation and significant changes in risk during attendance and at the end of the programme, thus enabling this information to be reported to the court.

Child contact must be safe and appropriate before, during, and following any DVPP, in line with the child's welfare, also taking account of the safety needs of the other parent.  Relevant guidance about these types of cases is set out in ‘Contact and Domestic Violence’ (Sturge and Glaser; Fam Law Sept 2000) and the Practice Direction: Residence and Contact Orders: Domestic Violence and Harm (14 January 2009)

The DVPP course is free to any participants ordered to attend by court.

Further information for service users is available in the DVPP Factsheet here.

 

DVPP Latest News:

There are currently 15 DVPP providers available across England.  Recent commissioning is likely to increase this to 46, with availability increasing during Autumn 2011.  About half of these providers are from the voluntary sector, the remainder are Probation Trusts, extending into family law with adapted versions of the Integrated Domestic Abuse Programme (IDAP) and Community Domestic Violence Programme (CDVP). 

To find a DVPP provider in your area please click here.