Communities and Culture Committee

Scrutiny Inquiry : Domestic Abuse

Response from Powys County Council

This response focuses solely on the importance of developing links between domestic abuse services and adult protection.

The current All Wales National Strategy for tackling domestic abuse recognises that people with disabilities can be particularly vulnerable to domestic abuse. However, it does not make reference to vulnerable adults (as defined in In Safe Hands) as it does to children. For example, one of the strategy recommendations it makes is that Area Child Protection Committees should make tackling domestic abuse and its effects on children one of its key tasks; there is no comparable recommendation for Area Adult Protection Committees. The overall approach to tackling both domestic abuse and the abuse of vulnerable adults would be stronger if this link were made explicitly.

Evidence about the full extent of domestic abuse that involves vulnerable adults is not available but there are some indicators of the overlap:

The prevalence study of older people undertaken last year at the request of the Department of Health suggests a significant overlap: Of the perpetrators: partners were named in 51% of responses; other family members in 49%; care workers 13% and close friends 5% (people could identify more than one perpetrator).
The Powys Annual Report on the Protection of Vulnerable Adults for 2006/7 shows that relatives were identified as the alleged perpetrator in 21% of referrals (30 allegations) of which 18 (60%) were admitted, proved or found to be likely on the balance of probability.
Across Wales in 2006/7 32.5% of referrals to adult protection identified relatives as the alleged perpetrator.

It would be very valuable to gather more evidence both to get the full picture and plan how to make the most effective use of the resources available.

In Powys the importance of developing a joint approach has been recognised by the Powys Domestic Abuse Forum and the Powys Adult Protection Committee. Some initial steps have been taken with representation at each other’s meetings and recognition within the Powys Domestic Abuse Forum’s draft strategy and the Dyfed Powys Adult Protection Policies and Procedures of the overlap between the two areas. Discussion has now started about developing effective joint working processes to maximise the support available to individuals suffering abuse and to raise awareness of domestic abuse and adult protection and the services that currently exist. This work also involves the Powys Safeguarding Children manager since it is recognised that the three areas of domestic abuse, adult protection and safeguarding children are inter-linked.

In considering linking domestic abuse and adult protection processes there are some differences in approach that need to be addressed:

In adult protection there is a single process with information about referrals being routinely shared between the police, the CSSIW and social services, which in principle makes it easier to identify those alleged victims who may benefit from support from domestic abuse services.
In domestic abuse information may be shared if the police are involved but not if the abused individual seeks support from one of the voluntary agencies involved. This may make the identification of victims of domestic abuse who are vulnerable adults more complex.

There is scope for learning from and sharing support services for both alleged victims and alleged perpetrators.

Domestic abuse services in Powys provide refuge facilities, floating support and outreach services for female victims and children across the county and slightly more limited services for male victims (see the submission from Powys Domestic Abuse Forum to the Committee Inquiry). In principle these are available to vulnerable adults.
While there are no similar services provided directly by adult protection services within the county, Powys Social Services provides or contracts a range of services that support vulnerable adults and for which victims of domestic abuse who are also vulnerable adults may be eligible.

The allocation of resources to domestic abuse, adult protection and safeguarding children is very different, reflecting their different statutory bases and development. For example, within Powys awareness training in adult protection and safeguarding children is provided through social services but domestic abuse awareness training is not.

In conclusion, ensuring that there are robust and effective links between domestic abuse services and adult protection services in Wales will strengthen prevention and increase the likelihood that victims of abuse receive the most appropriate support. It will also make a more effective and efficient use of resources.

Andy Kaye
Adult Protection Coordinator, Powys County Council

12/05/08