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HOME TRUTHS Evaluation Report

Here's how we did

Summary
This was our first attempt at a strong national event on domestic violence. It was an ambitious programme that, on reflection, tried to hard to cram too much into one day. But the day was, nonetheless, very well received by delegates on the whole. The feedback has convinced us to do this again. Watch out for Home Truths 2!

Here's how we scored

We asked you to score each question on a scale of 1-5 (1=poor; 5=excellent). And you did.

Questions and how we scored	Average
1 How would you rate the conference overall?	4.3
2 How would you rate the venue?	4.7
3 How would you rate the administration before the conference?	4.7
4 How would you rate how the conference was organised on the day?	4.4
5 “Heartstrings” performed by Jane Dickens of Gripping Yarns	4.8
6 Jane Booth, corporate director, Cafcass	3.9
7 Tivoli Wallington, Policy lead on victims and witnesses and former domestic violence lead, CPS	3.8
8 Dr Gordon Harold, reader in psychology, Cardiff University	4.0
9 Future Theatres Company’s performance of Once in a House on Fire:	4.0
10 Alison Buchanan, children's services officer, Women's Aid	4.0
11 John Dunworth, domestic violence lead, Home Office	3.9
12 How would rate your first workshop? Effective partnership working A specific risk assessment tool Men who are violent DV in rural areas	3.7 4.1 4.0 3.9
13 How would rate your second workshop? Making Every Child Matters matter DV specialist court Feeling safe	4.5  3.6  3.3
14 How would rate your third workshop? A specific risk assessment tool DV in BME communities Men who are violent The Tower	4.3  3.6  4.0 4.8

General comments

The good stuff

Why not start with good stuff, eh? Overwhelmingly you seemed to enjoy an informative, interesting day. Which was nice! Here are some of those damned nice things you said.

An inspiring conference - so many highlight problems - this conference seemed to look at potential solutions and offered examples of good practice.

Thank you very much for a really useful, different and informative day.

Good, friendly, informal communications beforehand.

The presentations were really good and full of information, the drama sessions where extremely powerful and I would really like to see them in the Derwent, Chaddesden area and hopefully across the city. Cheshire I feel were an excellent model of how education can impact the work around DV. Thank you for the day.

Brilliant presentations by all. Am keen to receive copies of presentations to inform further reading and feedback to my workplace. I've given out my notes to our team meeting this morning! I've been left feeling totally enthused!

It was a very well organised and informative conference, I learnt a lot from the day and would love to attend the next conference if there is going to be another one. What I learnt on the day will help me greatly in my job, thank you for such a good day.

The day was most enjoyable with plenty of hand-outs and information. Thank you

I write to congratulate you on the conference last week at Derby University. I found it highly interesting, very well organised and the speakers were very easy to listen too.

I thoroughly enjoyed the conference. It was very well organised and run - well done!!

Derby University - excellent venue, easily accessible etc + food and rooms brilliant

Really good day. Good mix of attendees too.

A really good mix of presentations and live drama. It's good to know we are all working towards ending domestic abuse and acknowledging children and young people's experiences.

Excellent day; Great day - many thanks; I thoroughly enjoyed the event...well done; Excellent conference. Very interesting day; The day was very informative - thank you; Really enjoyed it - thanks!; An excellent day; A really good day! Thank you.

A packed and fascinating day, thoroughly well worth attending

Very friendly approachable staff.

Good range of speakers offering different up-to-date perspectives

Speakers were also very good. I would like to hear them all again for longer.

I thought the conference was very well organised and enjoyable to attend. Overall I found it interesting and informative.

Excellent conference - keep me informed of future events please

Thank you very much for organising this - more please.

The professionals were very informative and knowledgeable. The information given was very interesting. An enjoyable day.

A really good event giving lots of analysis and thought provoking questions and action packed.

Thank you - great day, well organised, different, good choice of speakers, drama pieces were really good idea to break things up.

It was a very well organised and informative conference, I learnt a lot from the day and would love to attend the next conference if there is going to be another one. What I learnt on the day will help me greatly in my job, thank you for such a good day.

Excellent in many ways! An appropriate emphasis on child protection and the fact that statutory agencies need to start taking responsibility and working together.

A very informative and useful day that will generate much discussion and reflection. Important and relevant to find the emphasis on child protection and working practices in the area of domestic abuse and safeguarding children.

Busy, busy, busy. Enjoyable day, excellent venue. Interesting to meet wide variety of people from various agencies and great opportunity to hear what else is going on elsewhere.

Thoroughly enjoyed the day, will take lots back to work with me.

Overall conference was very well organised and informative. Thank you for an excellent day.

Really useful for networking

Really informative and relevant. Fast moving which kept my attention.

Very interesting. Would have liked to attend some of the other workshops too. Perhaps too much choice and too much packed in.

However, ten delegates thought the conference worth 3/5 and one thought it worth just 2/5 and had this to say:

I appreciate all the work that everyone has put in. Gordon Harold was good but had to rush through. But I don't feel I've gained anything today. Perhaps the marketing could have been more focused and explicit? Bit disappointed really. And £149 poorer.

The dramas

In organising the conference we really wanted to have variety and hoped the short plays would have, well, a dramatic effect. It seems they did - with Heartstrings particularly pushing the right buttons.

Both theatre groups were very powerful

1st play was excellent

Thoroughly enjoyed the theatre presentations

Jane Dickens performance was superb, the best I have ever seen. She portrayed every member of her household and the dynamics so well - to deliver the performance alone and condensed into such a time frame was miraculous.

The drama was superb as was the organisation of the day

Excellent drama pieces

First drama was excellent

Didn't think second, less good drama, was needed.

Both plays were excellent

Drama presentations were powerful

The drama presentations were exceptionally powerful and kept the focus on the child.

First drama was outstanding

Drama pieces were very effective

Drama was excellent - very effective

Drama pieces were excellent

Theatre presentations gave a degree of lightness.

Both dramas were profound, very powerful, addressed many issues

I especially enjoyed the drama Heartstrings  - it definitely got the message across - very powerful.

DRAMAS WERE EXCELLENT

Loved the dramas - encapsulated a whole area of emotions, aspects, impacts etc far better than a whole day of talking.

Enjoyed drama presentations

Food

We didn't specifically ask you to comment on food and refreshments (perhaps I was a bit worried as it was provided by the company of Jamie Oliver's turkey twizzlers infamy!) but a few of you did anyway. And most were impressed.

Last but not least the food was excellent.

Food was fantastic for veggies

Excellent food - first class

Excellent refreshments

I asked for a vegan meal - it was lovely - thank you.

Food excellent too

Food - very good.

But two of you were not all completely impressed &

Food could have been a little more varied

Food was TERRIBLE!

Stuff to help us do things better next time

A bit too much and a bit too rushed

The time scales were too tight. I would have preferred fewer presentations and for the information being delivered to be at a slower pace.

I felt that there wasn't enough time for each work shop.

I just felt that we rushed through - I know time had to be restricted to keep to time.

Rather a lot crammed in to the day: felt a bit "machine gun"-like in times etc. Overall, a good day.

However I do think that it may have been better to have had fewer presentations so that speakers had more time and we could have had time for questions. Everything was so rushed!

Just for future reference more time needed for questions.

My only observation is that time was against the speakers. All the presentations I attended were useful, particularly Dr Harold.

I felt that the presentations were rushed and so it was hard to follow and digest some due to lack of time.

All good content but too much in too short a time , tho I understand you were trying to pack in a great deal of info.

Workshops were rushed and not enough time for Q & A. Would have liked opportunity to ask some questions during main sessions (am).

I do feel that the speakers have provided valuable information but have been very much rushed; as were the workshops.

Only complaint was it was a little rushed and not enough time allocated to section in the morning and workshops.

Excellent day but very packed so felt rushed at times.

I enjoyed the conference but felt it was too rushed. I feel it should have been stretched out more - maybe only two workshops.

It was a very full day and possibly fewer workshops would have made it less rushed.

Superb conference but a lot of information delivered. I feel that 2 longer workshops - more interactive would have helped.

Very rushed - so difficult to effectively absorb and interact: workshops needed to be twice as long.

What we will do next time: This was undoubtedly the biggest critical message we received. I have to say that in setting the programme I deliberately wanted to have lots going on. And in some ways I think that is what made the programme look interesting enough to attract 120 delegates.

However, we never dreamed it would be so popular - and so the mechanics of just moving that amount of people around was going to cause problems. In hindsight, restricting ourselves to maybe four presentations - two in morning and two in afternoon - rather than six (although one was cancelled because of ill health); and as the last few comments above suggest, two longer workshops rather than three shorter ones would be better. So thanks for that honest feedback.

Workshops

Workshops weren't really workshops in that we were sat listening to more presentations. I would have liked more involvement.

I would have preferred more participatory workshops.

While most of the workshops rated highly. I felt they were all rushed and were mostly made up of quoting statistics (however interesting these were).

Some workshops were helpful but some seemed not to know what they were doing.

Workshops not really workshops just presentations - too rushed and crammed in terms of timetable but still very useful info, ideas, networking opportunities.

What we will do next time: Clearly this is a failing on my behalf not to brief the workshop leaders better. It was a conference celebrating the best practice and I just assumed people would talk about what they do or know and that would generate debate. However, time was perhaps a critical factor. With so much to share it seems that some workshops became more presentational. I think we have learned the time lesson!

Other suggestions

Well organised but many people there had vast experience of working with domestic abuse so some presentations seemed basic. Maybe there should be different levels of workshops or maybe I've just worked in domestic abuse too long.
We did do that with Men Who Are Violent workshop - but, as you can imagine, with so many different agencies and levels of experience attending it is difficult to pitch everything right. But again I would have been better briefing the presenters with more detail of what we wanted.

I would like to have seen 'The Tower'.

We did hope to show this - but unfortunately it will not be in production again until next year, I think. However, Heartstrings appeared to be a popular substitute!

I was somewhat surprised that no one mentioned the community sector, which I am a part of. We always get left out and struggle each year for funds, yet are at the 'heart' of the work. We are able to work better without the constraints of the statutory sector and are able to give a holistic service, which is not time limited. Large voluntary organisations always seem to receive any government funding and it never filters through to us at the local level. Didn't get chance to put this to John Dunworth. Sorry to go on, but it is important to us all to get the recognition we feel we deserve.

Did notice that the community sector was not brought into discussions - the voluntary sector was mentioned many times - the community is where the work is done. We are definitely overworked and fighting each year for an ever decreasing funding pot. No-one includes us in the debate.

It is the same old message from all small voluntary organisations: they spend so much time trying to raise funds that they can't get on with the job in hand. I agree if government (both national and local) is serious about involving the community it should think about funding it sensibly in terms of amount and time. And that includes core funding not just the "schemes" and "initiatives" that attract most charitable funding.

Great day, however, focused heavily on female victim to male assailant/perpetrator I did receive two or three complaints before the conference about lack of coverage of male victims. We did book Broken Rainbow who would look at same sex DV - which would cover that aspect. But sadly, the presenter's mother died just before the conference - and it was too late to find a replacement. I did also approach two organisations that support or promote the needs of male victims (including female to male violence) to present workshops, but neither replied.

Great conference - would have liked to have been informed at beginning that handouts were being sent later. I missed some very valid important info because I was writing.
My fault. Sorry.

Having a mike for questions in the main forum would have been helpful as it was difficult to hear questions.
We had one but didn't use it. How rubbish was that? Sorry again.

We could use a conference on each workshop topic!
I know what you mean but I don't think I'd have any sanity left. I have the greatest respect for conference organisers: one a year does it for me!

This conference could easily have lasted for two days.
Very easily I would have imagined - but two days is usually asking too much for people to attend - particularly those from smaller organisations. Hence our crammed and rushed day.

Some of the speakers were repetitive. Possibly one speaker to set the context; that is to give stats etc rather than each speaker and closer co-ordination.
Back to me briefing presenters again, I guess.

Seemed to be geared at social workers - would like more health worker input, but still brilliant.
Sure - possibly reflecting my background - but not entirely intentional. We were, of course, to have Christine Mann from the Dept of Health but unfortunately she was ill on the day.

It would be helpful to have contact details or more literature around during breaks.
Yes, we could have and should have done. Trouble is being in a big building we didn't really have an obvious place to leave stuff. Contacts, of course, will be part of the post conference pack.

Clearer guides to the different rooms at the start of the day
Perhaps need more directions to training rooms - felt a bit lost going to first workshop.
Sorry about that. The university is proud of its signage and we had people dotted about helping people to the rooms.

Unfortunate that there was not more time for speakers and discussion in morning session - perhaps programme was a little ambitious? Generally, across such events, still feel there is a lack of acknowledgment and focus on wider issues and networks, such as men affected and importance of good housing to assist and complement support networks and initiatives - still sever lack of consideration and learning in relation to impacting and influencing agendas and strategies, such as Supporting People (this is a general observation that today's event continues to highlight).

Fair points. Too ambitious - sure, but then again I wanted to be. I've mentioned men as victims above. But we did miss the housing boat - no question. Now there's a conference waiting to happen.

3.25 pm speaker non attendance - perhaps a fall-back speaker as contingency.
Would be good but not sure who would agree to be on a subs' bench? We were hit by three last-minute cancellations - one of them we did throw someone in at the deep end.

Some speakers seemed unaware of time allocations.
They were aware all right - I told them often enough! But when you've got a big audience time just skips by and they are enjoying themselves too much to shut up! It was my role as chair to keep them on time and it was tough, believe me!

Welcome to have a national conference located in the regions. Greater appeal to practitioners.
Hurrah!

Sad that people have to turn it into a political arena for getting on their soap box!! Don't know why they think NHS have loads of money for DV - I had to fund myself!!!
And not many others did fund themselves. So perhaps there is a lesson in there!

Would have liked water at coffee breaks and lunch - as well as juice to stop me flagging!
We did have water in the court room - but you are right we should have water on the tables at break and lunch times. And we should have had tea and coffee at lunch. It could have been organised if I had asked for it. But I didn't think to. So sorry about that.

Comments on specific presentations and workshops

Dr Gordon Harold

Excellent and thought-provoking

Definitely need time for reflection. A little rushed especially Dr Gordon Harold, although very thought provoking.

Dr Gordon Harold's Psychology input was too confusing and pitched at a level 30,000 feet above my head.

Dr Harold needed a little longer I felt, what he put across was absolutely fascinating but would have benefited from more time.

I thought the presentation was pitched too high, was rushed and used too much jargon. Powerpoint slides with bar chart too small to be useful.

Dr Harold was slightly difficult to follow.

I thought Dr Gordon Harold had some really important new insights and I would have liked to hear more from him.

I found Gordon Harold, for example, very interesting but found it hard to follow all of it because he had to rush through a lot of the information.

If only Dr Harold's talk could have been longer! Great to see another perspective which you don't see at your "average" conference.

Jane Booth, Cafcass and Tivoli Wallington,CPS

Bland, too broad and regurgitation of policy and not enough of what it's like in practice.

Maddie Bell, Risk assessment tool

This needs to consider the cultural issues and what they mean. For example, women prefer to stay within an abusive relationship than face life in a wider hostile community.

Nina Akhter, DV in BME communities

A balanced approach required. Not all Asian men are DV perpetrators. The majority want to part of the solution not part of the problem. This is achievable through information sharing and education and training - it applies to all communities.

Found majority of the input valuable and relevant to my role as a police trainer but felt the Asian speaker was very patronising to the subject experts there.

Very poor and stereotyped.

Very good but went on through tea break!

Nina is a wonderful presenter but neither of her workshops fulfilled my expectation - the BME communities workshop was supposed to be about tackling DV  - but tackling it (good practice projects etc) not covered at all.

John Dunworth, Home Office

Very informative.

Interesting issues from home office but need to get money to front-line services.

Brilliant - good to have national perspective - looking forward to the local guidance for CDRPs.

Alison Buchanan, Women's Aid

Passionate and informative.

Lynne Cheong, Marianne Rawson and Paul Whitfield, The Tower

Excellent, very animating, informative and thorough.

Interactive, enjoyable, informative.

Chris Greenwood, Effective partnerships

Facilitator absent - well covered by Chris.

Unfortunately there were a few mishaps on first workshop that subsequently impacted on 2nd workshop. I was present at both and although the speaker made a real effort to cover both workshops I was disappointed to miss out on workshop 1. Good day nonetheless.

Good overview but change of speaker meant a little rushed presentation (not her fault!)

Chris Greenwood, Every Child Matters

Informative - but was lecture rather than workshop.

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