Do No HARM
Using consensus methods to develop a Homicide Assessment and Risk Management model for unpaid carers
Research Team
- Siobhan O'Dwyer (Lead Researcher)
- Dan Burrows
- Charlotte Bishop
- Lucy Biddle
- Claire Turner
- Rebecca
Lead Institution
Partners
- Cardiff University
- University of Exeter
- University of Bristol
- Carers Leeds
Content warning: This research explores suicide and homicide, and may not be suitable for everyone. If you need support, please contact Samaritans on 116 123.
Unpaid carers are people who provide essential care for family members or friends with long-term illnesses or disabilities. On average, at least one homicide or homicide-suicide each month in England and Wales involves an unpaid caring killing the person for whom they were caring. These deaths are often described as an “isolated tragedy that could not have been predicted or prevented”, but that simply isn’t true. Instead, research shows remarkable similarities across cases, including missed opportunities for social care professionals to intervene.
Our team has been studying suicide and homicide in unpaid carers for almost 15 years, gathering evidence on the risk factors, warning signs, and lived experience. Over the last three years, we have shared this evidence with social care professionals to improve their knowledge and understanding. But knowledge and understanding are not enough to prevent deaths.
Social care professionals have told us they need to know how to safely and sensitively ask a carer if they are thinking about killing the person they care for, and what to do if a carer says yes. Carers have also told us they want safe spaces to share these thoughts and seek help without fear of unnecessary safeguarding, inappropriate removal of the care recipient, or unreasonable prosecution (see Note below).
Note: While safeguarding, removal of the care recipient, and/or prosecution will be the appropriate response in some cases, our research shows that what the majority of carers need is (a) a safe space to share their thoughts and (b) practical support to minimise the negative impacts of the caring role. The model and guide will help professionals balance their statutory obligations with a carer-centred approach that: (a) emphasises meeting the unique needs of each carer & care recipient, (b) recognises the complex interplay of personal, social, economic and political factors contributing to homicide risk, and (c) promotes understanding and compassion instead of judgement and blame.
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