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ARDAT

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. A core feature is its side-by-side comparison of parental conflict dynamics and abusive dynamics. Supporting relational conversations and providing pathways to support. ARDAT is an early support framework for anyone working with families.

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, with an individual, how behaviours show up in their relationship and whether those behaviours are more consistent with 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.

Misunderstanding these dynamics can lead to unsafe or inappropriate interventions, either escalating families unnecessarily, or offering conflict-resolution support where early signs of fear and control may be present.

ARDAT provides a clear, relational framework to support early differentiation. It supports a shared language across teams and services.

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?

The same behaviours in a relationship 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 conversations and their professional judgement.

Evidence and impact

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

Feedback from pilot (2025 practice highlights) shows that ARDAT:

supports clearer conversations
reduces uncertainty in grey areas where behaviours overlap
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
Family Law/Mediation
Education and safeguarding professionals
A range of other professionals working with adults/families

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 risk assessment tools and local safeguarding pathways and has not been designed to be used for this purpose.

ARDAT supports early understanding of relationship dynamics. ARDAT implementation is co-designed with local partners so that it sits alongside pathways and processes.

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
is accompanied by a training and implementation package of support

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 more information, visit www.weareamity.co.uk

There is currently a waiting list for training and implementation. Please fill out the form below to register your interest in ARDAT.