How to switch to the new, improved
Empowerment Star
I find the Empowerment Star helpful when working with survivors. I feel it gives them a chance to reflect on their journey, have a say in their support plan and think about the steps they’d like to take to reach their future goals as well as see the progress they’ve made. It also highlights how our support, alongside their individual progress, has impacted their journey. I feel highlighting their support in this way can be empowering for clients and helps us as support workers develop our work as domestic abuse specialists further
This article sets out guidance for organisations already using Empowerment Star before the launch of the 2nd Edition in October 2025.
Please note: services do not need to switch to the new edition immediately. You can do this in a timeframe that works for you and your service.
Why was the new edition created?
Outcomes Star is committed to ensuring that the Stars stay relevant and continue to support best practice. We keep them under review, seeking feedback and developing new editions as needed.
We published the 1st Edition of the Empowerment Star in 2011. Since then, the landscape of support has changed, and the use of language and trauma-informed practice continues to evolve. During our review of the Star, we focused on areas such as inclusivity and a broader understanding of domestic abuse and family violence, for example coercive control, economic abuse, honour-based abuse and more.
We felt the time was right to update the Star and worked alongside experts from organisations working in the domestic abuse sector, and people with lived experience of domestic abuse.
For more background to the development, read our article with Outcomes Star Product Lead, Harriet, and Lottie, Changing Pathways, here. You can also read some of our earlier thinking about language and the choices we made during the development here.
What has changed?
I really like the new Star. I like the growth in it. I like the fact that the language is a lot more inclusive."
There are three main improvements:
- A revamped design for all resources, focused on accessibility and supporting collaboration and conversation between practitioners and the people you support.
- Substantial changes to the content of scales and Journey of Change stages. These changes mean data from the 1st and 2nd Edition cannot be combined.
- General changes to language across the Star to ensure it is trauma-informed, up to date and inclusive regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, and type of domestic abuse or family violence.
Click the button below to view a PDF with a detailed breakdown of the changes to the Scales and Journey of Change stages.
What does the new edition mean for me?
The extent of the changes mean the 2nd Edition is a significant improvement and will improve acceptability, support effective implementation and foster good practice.
However, because the changes are ‘structural’ (ie, data from the 1st Edition and 2nd Edition cannot be collated/do not mean the same things) services using the 1st Edition will need to switch to the 2nd Edition.
Please note: services do not need to switch to the new edition immediately. You can do this in a timeframe that works for you and your service.
You do not need to get any further Outcomes Star training to switch, if practitioners in your service have already been trained.
Below we set out two approaches to managing the switch in your service. For either approach, you need to consider:
- Briefing practitioners on the changes in the new edition – if you need support we can help you with this
- Getting the new resources to practitioners – printer-friendly black and white versions of the Conversation Guide for normal printers are available from OS Online, or you can purchase professional printed copies from us – contact us for more information
- Updating internal guidance and policies about the Star, possibly including referral forms or handbooks, with new outcome area names and Journey of Change Stages
What are the two approaches to managing the switch?
Approach One:
Set a date to start using the 2nd Edition for all people being supported – current and new
Approach Two:
Continue using the 1st Edition with people who already have Stars and introduce 2nd Edition only for new people being supported.
Outcomes Star recommends Approach One, but there are pros and cons for you to consider, and Approach Two may work better for your service and the people you support.
Outcomes Star can support you through either approach, with support available from your named Implementation Specialist and our helpdesk, [email protected].
What happens on Outcomes Star Online?
From October 2025, Empowerment Star 2nd Edition will be available on Outcomes Star Online as a new Star. Account Leads will need to accept the 2nd Edition to your account, then link it to the relevant services.
If you are going for Approach one, Account Leads can also deactivate the 1st Edition to prevent new data from being added and use the ‘Start multiple engagements’ function to start new engagements for the 2nd Edition. The Helpdesk can support you through these steps.
What happens if we use the Star in another software system?
If you use the Star in other software, the 2nd Edition will need to be added as a new Star version. Contact your software provider or internal IT or systems team in the first instance or contact Outcomes Star for support.
Next steps and further information
From October 2025, as a licenced Star user you can:
- Access the new 2nd Edition materials on OS Online and familiarise yourself with the new Edition and changes
- Consider refresher training for staff
- Discuss internally the timing and options for switching – and contact us for support
- Draw together your internal materials which mention the Star and plan when and how to update them
Got questions?
Get in touch with us via our contact form
Phone: +44(0) 33 0133 4157
Email: [email protected]
You can also speak to your Outcomes Star Implementation Specialist.