Beyond “Dead Words”: Enhancing Documentation Practices for Domestic Violence-Informed Work

Abstract Purpose Domestic violence-informed documentation practices across health and human services were explored as an aspect of a wider action research project in New South Wales, Australia. In health and human service responses to families living at the intersection of domestic violence, substance misuse and mental ill-health, practitioners navigate the complexities of collaborative and integrated work to address violence and abuse. Documentation is an aspect of practice where ethical, quality and safety issues arise, impacting individuals, organizations, and service sectors. Methods Senior practitioners from specialist domestic violence, substance use, mental health and child protection services participated in a series of Communities of Practice to explore integrated and collaborative practice using the Safe & Together™ Model approach to working with families impacted by domestic violence and abuse. Documentary practices were explored as an important aspect of the wider research project, and ethnographic notes from Community of Practice and reflective focus groups were thematically analyzed. Results Four key themes regarding domestic violence-informed documentation practices were highlighted in the analysis: recognizing the power of documentation; maintaining an all-of-family focus; focussing on patterns and context; and the importance of language that emphasizes behavioral specificity. Taken together, these themes speak to the powerful role played by domestic violence-informed documentation for clients accessing services, as well as to the opportunity for practice-changing work through documentation that diverse practitioners can take up when working with families and with each other. Conclusion This paper contributes to a growing body of practice-led knowledge building and provides an in-depth examination of domestic violence-informed documentation practices from the perspectives of practitioners working at the intersections of domestic violence, substance use, mental health and child protection issues across health and human services. It highlights the complex and empowering opportunities that attention to language and documentation holds and emphasizes the need for further research exploration and capacity building for domestic violence-informed practice.