Risk assessment
A risk assessment has four stages:
- Risk identification
- Risk assessment
- Professional judgment
- Risk management
It should be a dynamic process that will adjust the risk assessment of harm up or down as circumstances change.
The DASH tool (Domestic Abuse, Stalking, Harassment and Honour Based Violence Assessment)
The DASH tool (Domestic Abuse, Stalking, Harassment and Honour Based Violence Assessment) is part of the Multi Agency Risk Assessment Co-ordinator (MARAC) referral. It's a risk assessment form to help you work out the risk level for the victim.
The DASH form gives safeguarding professionals vital information.
For any questions you've ticked as 'yes' on the DASH form, you must provide an explanation to justify this.
14 yes ticks will normally put the victim at high risk and therefore justifies you making a MARAC referral. However, the DASH will be reviewed alongside your referral to give an overall assessment.
In Norfolk, we use a 24 question DASH.
Our MARAC page tells you how to get the MARAC referral form, DASH form and Severity of Abuse Grid (SOAG). The SOAG can help you to fill out the DASH form.
Considerations when completing a DASH form
Do you have the time and confidence to complete the DASH form safely with your client?
The questions are used to identify, assess, and manage risk, so you must ask all the questions. You must also make sure you record, review and update all responses. The risk identification process remains dynamic and you have responsibility for the risk until it's handed over.