CARA intervention for relationship abuse
The Cautioning and Relationship Abuse (CARA) programme is offered to people arrested for domestic abuse but who want to make a positive change to their behaviour.
Participants attend two free full-day workshops four weeks apart, which use a trauma informed approach and motivational interviewing techniques to encourage behaviour change.
More than 90 per cent of people who attended the course report having a more positive attitude towards their partner or other relation and a better relationship with them, afterwards.
Separate workshops are run for male and female offenders, and for intimate/ex-intimate partner and non-intimate partner familial domestic abuse. TTC manages booking, scheduling and police liaison services for the CARA workshops, including friendly customer support. Training is delivered by the specialist not-for-profit organisation Restorative Solutions in partnership with the Hampton Trust.
CARA at a glance:
Location: In-person classroom workshop
Duration: Two 5-hour workshops held 4 weeks apart
Price: Free
Relaxed and informative
No police involvement
All workshops are held on Saturdays
Contact us on 01952 442 714.
What’s in it for participants
Your relationship will probably benefit
You’ll grow in confidence and control
Support is tailored to your situation
Friendly, non-judgemental facilitators
Key learning points
CARA is an awareness raising intervention in which participants engage and reflect on behaviour that is placing their families at risk.
The sessions are carefully constructed to enable participants to identify as being abusive, to explore what constitutes healthy, positive relationships and to learn strategies and skills to build respectful relationships. This includes focusing on different aspects of violence and control, and on skills for better relationships and parenting.
With TTC you’re in safe hands
TTC’s successful behaviour change education helps hundreds of thousands of people every year.
Course information
This course is only for people who have been given a conditional caution for a first-time offence of domestic abuse and who have been offered a CARA intervention by the police. Partners cannot attend. You must not have received a previous conviction or caution for violence in the two years prior to the most recent offence, be on court/police bail or currently serving a community-based sentence or order.
FAQs
Why do I have to attend a CARA course?
As part of your conditional caution you are required to attend the CARA workshops in order to give you an opportunity to reflect on your current circumstances.
What happens if I do not attend a CARA intervention?
The course is not optional. If you do not attend, you are breaching the conditions of your caution, and you will be referred back to the police for further action. If you miss a workshop, you will have to repeat both sets of workshops again. If you are late to a workshop, you will be refused entry.
Can I attend a CARA workshop with my partner?
No. Partners are not permitted to attend the course.
Can I change my course booking?
Providing there is sufficient time within your 16-week caution duration, you can change your workshop date once you have booked. You can only do this once. In the event of you being unable to attend or complete a workshop due to illness, we will book you onto the next available suitable workshop.
What is a CARA intervention like?
CARA workshops are interactive, relaxed and informative classroom-based sessions for a maximum of 12 people. They last five hours and are held on Saturdays four weeks apart.
Each workshop is facilitated by two experienced, non-judgemental Restorative Solutions CARA trainers. There is no police involvement. Separate workshops are run for male and female offenders, and for intimate/ex intimate partner and non-intimate partner familial domestic abuse.
How long does a CARA intervention course last?
You will be required to complete two workshops, 4 to 5 weeks apart. Each workshop will be on a Saturday from 10am to 3pm and you must attend both workshops.
How to book a CARA intervention
You do not need to book. Your booking will made by the police as part of your conditional caution.
Read more about this course
Maximum number of attendees
We limit the number of participants to 12 to ensure each participant has the opportunity to engage fully with the exercise and discussions.
Time limits on booking and attending a course
To avoid further action and fulfil the conditions of your referral, you must complete both workshop sessions successfully before your 16-week conditional caution expires.
How much does a CARA intervention cost?
The CARA course is provided free to participants.
Arriving at your course
You must arrive on time. Late arrivals will be refused entry and their case may be referred back to the police.
What happens if you miss a CARA workshop?
The course is not optional. If you do not attend you are breaching the conditions of your caution and you will be referred back to the police for further action. If you miss a workshop, you will have to repeat both sets of workshops again. If you are late to a workshop, you will be refused entry.
Where are CARA workshops held?
All CARA workshops are held on Saturdays and start promptly at 10am. They take place in community-based premises which have good public transport links and meet accessibility regulations.
Areas covered
CARA interventions are only delivered in the West Yorkshire Police area.
