Our team members consulted with local stakeholders and team members through 1:1 semi-structured interviews, as well as a series of multi-agency workshops and focus groups. Many of the interviews were with frontline staff members from statutory and grassroots organisations delivering services. These group consultations allowed representatives from different organisations to share their different perspectives and enriched the findings of the evaluation.

It was also an important aim of the evaluation to include the voice of people affected by domestic violence, and we therefore consulted with a range of victim/survivors who were accessing different services within the boroughs. This included face-to-face interviews with victims and survivors in refuges, safe accommodation and community spaces, many of whom were experiencing multiple disadvantages and complex needs. We closely engaged with the professionals closest to the individuals to ensure that the right approach was taken to consultations. Our range of approaches included using visual tools and conducting observations of group sessions, such as the Freedom Programme. All consultations were trauma-informed and person-centred, allowing the participant to lead the interviewer in the telling of their story.