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ARDAT

Understanding Relationship Dynamics

The Amity Relationship Dynamic Assessment Tool (ARDAT) helps professionals understand whether relationship dynamics in the couple relationship are more consistent with inter-parental conflict or domestic abuse. Supporting safer conversations, better decisions and pathways into support.

What is ARDAT?

ARDAT is a relationship-focused framework designed to support professional judgement when working with adults whose relationships may be affecting their children.

It helps practitioners explore how behaviours show up in a relationship and whether those behaviours are more consistent with situational inter-parental conflict or abusive dynamics.

ARDAT is not a diagnostic or risk assessment tool. It does not ask professionals to label a relationship. Instead, it supports curiosity, reflection, and informed next steps.

Why ARDAT is needed?

Professionals often work in complex grey areas where it is not immediately clear whether relationship difficulties reflect inter-parental conflict or something more concerning.

Misidentifying these dynamics can lead to unsafe or inappropriate interventions, either escalating families unnecessarily, or offering conflict-resolution support where abuse may be present.

ARDAT provides a clear, relational framework to support early differentiation, before harm escalates.

How it works

The tool uses:

10 scaled, behaviour-based questions
2 open narrative questions

The questions explore communication, emotional safety, support and respect, decision-making, control, and the impact of relationship dynamics on children.

While scores are helpful, ARDAT prioritises patterns across answers, narrative responses, and indicators such as fear, entrapment, or loss of autonomy.

What makes ARDAT different?

A core feature of ARDAT is its side-by-side comparison of parental conflict dynamics and abusive dynamics.

The same behaviours can look very different depending on intent, pattern, impact, and the presence or absence of fear.

ARDAT helps practitioners move away from assumptions and towards evidence-informed professional judgement.

Evidence and impact

ARDAT has been co-produced and tested with our practice partners in Tameside Children’s Services, where it increased practitioner confidence in navigating complex relational assessments.

Feedback from practice highlights that ARDAT:

supports clearer conversations
reduces uncertainty in grey areas
improves confidence in decision-making (practitioner confidence increased from 23% to 95% after training and ARDAT use)

Who is ARDAT for?

ARDAT is used by professionals working with adults and families, including:

Social workers
Early help and family practitioners
Mediators
Education and safeguarding professionals

ARDAT should only be used by practitioners who have received appropriate training from Amity and have the support of a local ARDAT champion.

How ARDAT fits with DASH and DARA

ARDAT does not replace statutory risk assessment tools and has not been designed to be used for this purpose.

ARDAT supports early understanding of relationship dynamics. DASH and DARA are more frequently used when risk thresholds are met and immediate safeguarding decisions are required.

ARDAT sits within early help/support, helping practitioners decide when a conflict lens may be appropriate and when safeguarding pathways need to be considered. It supports more confident pathways into local support.

Safeguards and use

The Tool:

must be used with individuals, not couples together
should always be used alongside professional judgement and supervision
does not replace safeguarding procedures

ARDAT supports everyone working with families to have confident conversations about relationships - conversations that are often avoided, rushed, or oversimplified.

By helping professionals understand how relationships really feel and function, ARDAT plays an important role in early help, safeguarding, and improving outcomes for children and families.

For training, licensing, or more information, visit www.weareamity.co.uk

There is currently a waiting list for training and implementation.