Helping social workers adapt domestic abuse interventions for neurodivergent men

A new toolkit has been launched to support social workers and other professionals working with neurodivergent men who have used abuse in intimate relationships.

Led by academics at Durham University, the guidance has been developed to help practitioners delivering domestic abuse perpetrator interventions better support men with conditions such as ADHD and autism who have been convicted of domestic abuse to change their behaviour.

The toolkit is designed for professionals working with neurodivergent men and aims to improve understanding of neurodivergence while encouraging practice that recognises different communication and learning styles and individual support needs.

The guidance was developed with input from Dianne Thom, National Trainer and Advisor of the Caledonian System, which takes a whole-family approach to addressing domestic abuse in Scotland.

Thom said neurodivergent people face significant barriers within the justice system.

"Neurodivergent people are significantly over-represented in the justice system compared with the general population, and often experience poorer outcomes. This may be due in part to the barriers they face in engaging with the justice system and professionals."

More than 15% of people in the UK are neurodivergent, meaning their brain processes information, thinks, learns or behaves differently from what is considered typical for most people.

Thom said the new resource would help professionals tailor their practice to better meet those needs.

"This guide helps address these challenges by supporting professionals - such as social workers - to better understand neurodivergence. It sets out how to adapt practice to recognise different communication and learning styles, understand individual needs, and build effective therapeutic relationships."

The Caledonian national team, which is part of Community Justice Scotland, oversees the training, development and expansion of the Caledonian System. The programme is currently available in 25 of Scotland's 32 local authority areas, with further expansion planned by the end of 2026.

Research cited alongside the launch indicates that men who complete the Caledonian programme present a lower risk to partners and children. Women who have engaged with the programme's Women's Service have also reported feeling safer and more independent.

Highlighting the programme's wider aims, Thom said: "Our aim is to address abusive behaviour by supporting men to change their behaviour, with the ultimate goal of increasing the safety of women and children, and improving outcomes for individuals and families."