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Whilst researchers are increasingly required to demonstrate patient or participant involvement in the design, implementation, and dissemination of their research, very often that involvement is lacking in continuity, is defined by the researchers themselves, and is subject to the criticism of being tokenistic. This paper discusses the role played by service users in advising on a longitudinal study of the health and social care needs of a cohort of homeless women in a major city in England. It explores the experience and impact of including service user advisors within research from the perspective of the advisors themselves and researchers. Although it was a steep learning process for all concerned, the advisors became a valued part of the research team and valued the experience themselves.

Domestic violence is everywhere and nowhere. No statutory organization or health service has work with either perpetrators or survivors of domestic violence (usually women and children) as the primary focus of their service, yet all agencies will have very significant numbers among their clients/service users. It is therefore crucial that the policy framework is developed both within and between agencies to address the need, and scope, of intervention in this area and particularly the impact on children. Currently, significant steps have been taken by some agencies in the UK to address this previously neglected issue, though the developments are patchy. This paper draws on a UK-wide research study which mapped the extent and range of service provision for families where there is domestic violence and also developed a framework of good practice indicators for 'Mapped the extent and range of service provision for families where there is domestic violence and also developed a framework of good practice indicators' provision in this area. This article examines one of the indicators of good practice arising from the research-that of policy development-within social service departments and within the multi-agency arena.

General rightsThis document is made available in accordance with publisher policies. Please cite only the published version using the reference above. Full terms of use are available: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/pure/about/ebr-terms 1 ABSTRACT This paper reports findings from a longitudinal study of homeless women. Thirty eight women were initially recruited with a retention rate of 58% over three rounds of interviews.Interviews explored specific events in women's lives, their current living arrangements and how their experiences and needs, including for social care, changed over time. Women reported a range of complex issues and difficulties, consistent with experiences of deep social exclusion and received support from both statutory and voluntary agencies. Although women appreciated the support they received, many reported that services were fragmented and rarely personalised to their needs.Key words: homelessness; social care; fragmentation; personalisation. What is known about this topic: The causes of homelessness are multi-faceted and impact differently on men and women. Social care services for homeless people are provided by a wide range of agencies from across the statutory and non-statutory sectors. What this paper adds: Many women were supported by multiple key workers, each based in separate agencies. Successive interviews with women revealed that this approach intensified the fragmented and uncoordinated nature of services. There were mixed views about the benefits of counselling. Group sessions were reported to be intimidating and unproductive, particularly when men were present.

Too often, the skill of really listening to another person’s story does not receive the consideration and training it deserves. Yet skilled and sensitive listening in a research context can not only produce a wealth of information and in depth knowledge, but also enrich both the researcher and the person they are talking with. This paper discusses the barriers to communication faced by those who experience gender based violence, the essential elements in building trust and encouraging informants and the challenges and rewards of actively listening to those whom we encounter in qualitative research.

This article is concerned with the provision of intervention programs aimed at female victims/ survivors of domestic abuse in the United Kingdom. Social workers, and other statutory professionals, are increasingly referring clients who have experienced abuse to these interventions, but there has been little debate about the aims and objectives of them or consideration of their effectiveness. This article includes a discussion of the key elements of the programs and criticisms of these types of interventions.

Research dealing with sensitive subjects, feelings and emotional wellbeing requires constant reflection and rebalancing in order to meet the needs of all the parties involved and to be ethical. This paper examines some of the issues involved in applying ethical guidance to the reality of fieldwork in a study of the personal and emotional support needs of women who have left an abusive relationship. It considers organisational ethics, the complexities of informed consent, the duty of care and the need for reciprocity, and argues that the key to ethical research lies in respect for the individual.

The article is based on a qualitative field study of how justice (in its wider sense) is understood by practitioners and religious leaders from Judaism, Islam and Christianity, who work with victims of domestic violence and abuse. The article focuses on two key questions: a) how do practitioners from the three faith communities conceptualise justice in relation to domestic violence and abuse (DVA)? b) how far do these practitioners believe that victims of DVA have access to justice within their respective faith communities? The findings suggest that the concept of structural spiritual abuse should be given more attention by the DVA literature and also by those who are working with women of faith.