Brainkind launches new tool to help professionals support survivors of domestic abuse who may have a brain injury
Brainkind, the largest charity supporting people with brain injuries and neurological conditions in the UK, has created a new, free, digital tool for professionals supporting survivors of domestic abuse who may have a potential brain injury.
Brainkind Adapt will support structured conversations about brain injury and provide guidance for professionals to adapt their approach.
The tool is available on the Brainkind website and has been designed for anyone working with survivors of domestic abuse, such as independent domestic violence advisors, domestic abuse support workers, or healthcare professionals.
Stephanie Bechelet is domestic abuse and brain injury researcher at Brainkind.
She said: “Change might not happen overnight.
“But every conversation about brain injury is a step forward.
“Brainkind Adapt will be transformative for professionals, enabling them to adapt their practice for domestic abuse survivors.
“It will also help survivors seek the care they need and provide context to difficulties they may be facing as the result of a potential brain injury.
“We’re so grateful to all the organisations who have taken part in the pilot of Brainkind Adapt.
“This tool is testament to their invaluable contributions and it will have a real impact for survivors of domestic abuse who may have a brain injury.”
Brainkind Adapt includes:
- A simplified version of the Brain Injury Screening Index (BISI), a screening tool to help establish whether someone has a history indicative of a brain injury
- A symptom exploration section
- A personalised summary of responses for the survivor to take to their GP
- A guidance booklet for professionals to help them adapt their practice.
The tool was created after Brainkind’s research, Too Many to Count, revealed that 1 in 2 survivors of domestic abuse may have sustained a brain injury.
This study, the first of its kind in the UK, focused on understanding the potential prevalence of brain injury for domestic abuse survivors accessing support in the community.
Following this research, Brainkind held focus groups and roundtable discussions with survivors and professionals working in specialist domestic abuse services.
These consultations revealed a gap in knowledge and a lack of resources on domestic abuse and brain injury.
Participants highlighted the need for tools to help professionals better understand symptoms for survivors. Professionals and survivors also said that any tool should be non-diagnostic, confidential, and trauma-informed.
The first version of Brainkind Adapt was created and further informed by feedback from 12 frontline practitioners.
The launch follows a three-month pilot with 30 practitioners from nine specialist domestic abuse organisations across the UK, including a specialist service for LGBT+ survivors.
Rachel Brooker, refuge navigator at Stop Domestic Abuse, one of the pilot participants, said: “This is a really useful tool to help support survivors who may have suffered a brain injury.
“It enables safe, supportive, and structured conversations and gives practical advice on how to adapt practice as well as signposting.”
Apsana Begum MP, Member of Parliament for Poplar and Limehouse, added: “Trauma-informed innovation can transform frontline support.
“Professionals equipped to recognise the hidden impacts of abuse – especially brain injury – can ensure survivors are met with compassion, clarity and understanding.
“That’s why I am pleased to see the launch of Brainkind Adapt, which aims to provide professionals working with survivors with tools that are a simple, safe, and effective way of recognising signs of potential brain injury to support survivors.”
