West Mercia OPCC IDVA Service Evaluation 

Task 

Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC) have a specific commissioning responsibility for survivors of domestic abuse. Therefore, the West Mercia Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) appoint Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs), who are specialist case workers. They offer free, confidential support and advice, and access to emergency accommodation for anyone who is subject to domestic abuse. 

TONIC was commissioned by the OPCC to provide a comprehensive assessment of the current IDVA provision across West Mercia in order to evaluate how effectively the offer is supporting those who have experienced domestic abuse. The core aims of this project were to:  

  • Review whether the IDVA service is accessible, effective and nationally aligned  

  • Evaluate the impact of the IDVA service on survivor safety and recovery   

  • Assess the compliance of the service with best practice, legislation and national strategies  

  • Identify any gaps and areas for improvement to inform evidence-based recommendations.  

Our Approach 

The evaluation adopted a mixed-methods approach, analysing quantitative service activity and outcome data shared by the OPCC and conducting in-depth qualitative interviews with survivors, service provider staff and management, external professionals, and commissioners.   

Interviews were supplemented by a body mapping workshop that was conducted with a small group of survivors. Body mapping is a creative research method that is used to collect qualitative data from participants about their subjective experiences. 

Using all of the data collected, TONIC undertook a SWOT analysis for the IDVA provision to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. SWOT is a framework used for evaluation and to develop strategic planning, assessing internal and external factors, as well as current and future potential. The SWOT analysis was designed to facilitate a realistic, fact-based, data-driven overview of the strengths and weaknesses of the current OPCC commissioned IDVA provision across West Mercia.  

TONIC also completed value for money analysis on the core service to explore whether the recommended number of IDVAs are being commissioned based on the local population size, compare staffing costs and capacity to national benchmarks and guidance, and generally draw conclusions around whether the provision represents good value for money. 

Outcome 

Using thematic analysis, the data was triangulated and woven into a detailed written report outlining the evaluation findings. The report displayed the SWOT analysis, and was then structured by key strengths and specific opportunities for improvement for the future service provider to consider. A table was also produced providing an overview of barriers to access and engagement, with corresponding proposed solutions or mitigations. Quotes were used throughout to evidence points were grounded in participant feedback. 

TONIC proposed a series of strategic recommendations for the West Mercia OPCC to consider during recommissioning and future contract monitoring, alongside a set of operational objectives for local IDVA service providers to reflect upon and be mindful of. The recommendations highlighted areas which could enhance the IDVA provision further and ensure it is closely aligned with the latest statutory guidance. 

TONIC presented the findings and recommendations to representatives from the West Mercia OPCC during an in-person session, after the report had been signed off, to ensure findings were fully understood and that recommendations were actionable for the future.