CC(3) DA45

Communities and Culture Committee

Scrutiny Inquiry : Domestic Abuse

Response from Monmouthshire Domestic Abuse Forum

Response from Rachel Allen - Domestic Abuse Co - ordinator.   Monmouthshire Domestic Abuse Forum and Monmouthshire Community Safety Partnership.

1. Background

Monmouthshire Domestic Abuse Forum is a direct derivative from the Community Safety Partnership who is the strategic lead for the forum. Domestic Abuse is a priority within Community Safety Partnership

The Domestic Abuse forum consists of a core panel of key statutory and non-statutory agencies. These representative work as a multi agency partnerships and work together to ensure that the objectives of the forum are delivered.

As a forum It is essential that all member work together to look at the best practice and gap within all areas to ensure that we support and raise awareness for all victims of domestic abuse. Currently there is very good working relationships formed between the members of the forum and agencies are more aware of their important role to achieving the aims of the forum.

2. Current Domestic abuse Projects and Service Within Monmouthshire

2.1 Womens Aid

Refuge

Womens aid provides the refuge service for Womens and children at Crisis. The refuge workers are on call 24 hour and can offer 5 families at one time a safe room when fleeing domestic abuse.

Current the refuge is funded by Welsh Assembly grant via Supporting People, housing benefit grant and Monmouthshire Childrens Services.

Play Therapy

Womens Aid worker provides play therapy for children within the Refuge and any child referred by Social Services. It has proved a fantastic service for young children who have lived in an abusive household.

Children’s Coordinator

Provides support for young people within Comprehensive schools in Monmouthshire to raise the awareness of healthy relationships and explain what domestic abuse is. The co-ordinator is also an integral part of the pilot Primary Schools Project that will be delivered in September 2008, as per Catherine Weavers Report.

The co-ordinator can also provide outreach support for young people and runs Freedom Project stated below for young women.

Outreach

As part of our Outreach service we run a weekly session called The Freedom Programme. This is a programme of 12 sessions that Identifies the tactics abusers use, the beliefs held by abusers, and the effects that domestic abuse can have on women and children.

The Freedom Programme is for women who have experience of domestic abuse, be it in their personal or professional lives. You can start the programme at any time, and you can attend as many or as few sessions as you choose. Each session is entirely confidential, and you can contribute as much, or as little, of your own thoughts and experiences as you like.

The Freedom Project is split into two groups as it was identified that many young women feel less intimidate with women of their own age.

Freedom for         -   16-25 year old.

                               -   All Womens

Unfortunately the outreach support service that was in place to continually support and assist any woman who was still in the abusive relationship has seized due to lack of funding.  The above outreach service is for those women who are on the project.

2.2 Victims Support

Outreach

As stated above, the lack of Outreach Service has instigated Victim Support developing an outreach service throughout Monmouthshire. The service offers

• Free, confidential support and information for all victims of domestic abuse including men, Womens and Children.
• support for anybody who needs help dealing with being a victim of crime, e.g. burglary theft etc, as the surgery is provided by Victim Support
• Support for people who have left the abusive relationship but need continued on going assistance.
• Assistance and information to professionals and all service providers if they need any help or guidance for a victim of domestic abuse.

The service began on 22^nd April 2008. Victim Support Manager delivers the service. She has had extensive training and expertise within the field of Domestic Abuse.

The service has been split throughout out the county at each of the county Council One stop Shops’ . Both drop in and appointment service is available.

Help line referral

1^st August 2008 will see the launch of a pilot project for Monmouthshire and Torfaen. All incident logs held by Gwent police that are closed 'Domestic Violence’ will be sent to The All Wales Domestic Abuse help line for them to contact the victim and offer support.

In addition to this, all incidents that are held by the police that are then evidenced and are 'crimes’ Victim Support will now receive the victim’s information and will contact and support.  The current position is that victims must 'opt in’ to the support service, where as this pilot will see people ’Opt out’ which will see more people being offer the support service and be aware of the service available.

2.3 Supporting People

Floating Support

Monmouthshire County Council Supporting people have the resources to support 56 people per week. The support that is provided is delivered by three providers below.

After initial risk assessment by the supporting people they will assess the risk and need and refer to the appropriate group.

• Trothwy Cyf  - 'Crisis’ cases.- 5 hours per week
• Llamau  - support 16-18 year old who have left home.
• SOLAS - low level support- 1 hour a week,

2.4 Independent Domestic Violence Advisor

The advisor is funded by the Home Office and within Monmouthshire the role is for 30 hours.

The IDVA supports very high-risk victim of domestic abuse that are going through the criminal justice system.  

2.5 Monmouthshire Youth Service

Catherine Weaver has submitted a report in relation to the service that they are currently delivering in relation to Domestic Abuse.

2.6 Drug and Alcohol Family  Support (DAFS)

Provide free and confidential support for families and friend of substance misusers.

Support is provided throughout Monmouthshire.

2.7 Fusion

Support for 16-24 year olds offering free confidential, counselling and information for young people.

2.8 Drug Aid

Currently support all persons with a drug or alcohol dependency. They have workers based in Monmouthshire. Referrals can be self referrals or

2007 saw the launch of the GOAL project, which is an all-encompassing project, incorporates a cognitive behaviour structure, advise and support to all clients.

2.9 Gwent Specialist Substance Misuse Services

The project is Gwent wide and provides support for higher risk clients that need long term support. Referrals to this service can come from any agencies or self-referral.

2.10 Monmouthshire Domestic Abuse Directory

The directory was created and launched last November.  500 copies (450 English 50 welsh) hard copies have been distributed throughout

3. Development of Domestic Abuse Forum 2008-2011 Action Plan

We have developed the Action Plan in accordance with the All Wales Domestic Abuse Strategy. The plan is also in line with the strategic plans of the Local Safe Guarding Board, 10-year Homelessness plan, Supporting People Strategic plan and Children’s and Young Peoples Partnership Plan (to be implemented).  Specialist Domestic Violence courts Programme.

Below illustrates the priorities and how we intend to achieve them, which were set by the Domestic Abuse forum which have be endorsed by the Community Safety Partnership.

3.1 To facilitate the development and implementation of quality co - ordinated joint Agency response

Aims & The approach - how we will achieve these aims

3.1.1 To assist with the development of the MARAC process within Monmouthshire ensuring process is robust and fit for purpose. Review currently undertaken since October  2007

Action

• Implement training and awareness day.
• Establish core panel of MARAC agencies
• Ensure Information sharing protocol and confidential is clearly communicated to all agencies.
• MARAC referrals from other agencies

3.1.2 Ensure All Wales information Sharing Protocol. Gwent Wide initiative headed by Dylan Collins with Multi Agencies to come on board.

Action

- Sub group set up from the forum to- Assist clear communicating to all agencies, where the Protocol is held and who is signed up.

3.1.3 One risk assessment form for all agencies, currently all Wales form being devised

Action

• Evaluate the Gaps and which agencies are not signed up
• Ensure Monmouthshire adapts the form for clear communications within all agencies

3.1.4 Sharing Statistics between agencies to ascertain a baseline of Level of Domestic Abuse in Monmouthshire

Action

- Forum member to sign up to sharing and keeping statistics on domestic abuse. 'Double counting'

3.1.5 Housing, establish the clear responsibilities of the Council and housing associations towards victims of domestic abuse enable to make it easier for victim and children to flee a domestic abuse relationship.

Action

• Establish a Community Housing agreement and ensure that D.A. is Incorporated to ensure a clear commitment to:
  • house/ move,  victims of domestic abuse
  • Evict perpetrators and gain non molestation orders and occupation orders on behalf of the tenant (victim)
  • Security of Property
• Sanitury Scheme - Establish a group to consider this as an option and how this would be funded and managed.
• Hold Housing Partnership event focusing on housing and D.A. Discuss joint/shared commitments to D.A. and establish an action plan from housing stakeholders to support this as a priority
• Clear pathway links with Supporting People and Providers. Collate comparable data of number DA cases to total case
• Training Pathway to include DA for all housing and Housing Association Staff.

3.2 To improve the current service provision for all victims and particularly increase the safe choices for women and children /young people who experience domestic abuse

Aim and the approach - how we will achieve these aims

3.2.1 Streamline Support for victims

Action

- Once establish 'baseline’, conduct a mapping exercise and Strategic Assessment of the services available for victims of domestic abuse and what is needed.

Acknowledging the Gaps and seek funding to implement the service. i.e. Support for Male victims, young people, elderly & disabled.

All forum members set out clear roles and responsibilities to assist reduce duplication of work and victim has a managed approach to their support.

3.2.2 Secure funding for the Womens Aid refuge

Action

- From the strategic assessment establishes it is paramount to sustain the refuge, illustrating comparable national and local trends.

Increase awareness of refuge benefits to the victims of Domestic abuse to public and agencies. Judges visit and press release.

3.2.3 Shared Services across Gwent for victims who move and cross boundaries

Action

- Mapping- What services cross boundaries and are available in Gwent.

Information sharing therefore essential to refer to other agencies safely.

3.2.4 Domestic Abuse project have secure funding

Action

- Ensure the CSP Plan has domestic abuse as a priority, in line with the All Wales Strategy.  CSP are responsible for all agencies working together when dealing with D.A. and responsibility to assist set the minimum standards of service.

IDVA data and strategic Assessment used to assist CSP audit their success.

3.2.5 Increase provisions to protect & safe guard victims

Action

- Lifeline services - liase with housing and police to ensure that these facilities are managed effectively and utilised.

3.3 To hold abusers accountable for their behaviour

Aim & The approach - how we will achieve these aims

3.3.1 Increase in successful court convictions for perpetrators of domestic abuse.

Action - Welsh data collection ensures courts; CPS and Police are collating data as effectively as possible.

Mapping - collating data to assess need within Monmouthshire for a Perpetrators programme. Linking with prison, probation, SSD and CAFCASS.

3.3.2 Assessing the need within Monmouthshire to link with other boroughs Non Mandatory perpetrators programme

Action - Establish number of prisoners whose non-index crime is D.A.  What help are they receiving to assist prevent the continuing to abuse. Data from Caring dad program and Carmarthen Perpetrator project.

3.3.3 Male Mentor Program

Action - Monmouthshire Youth Service and co - ordinator look at setting program. To Mentor young men within a D.A. Household.

3.4 Increase public awareness as to the issues surrounding Domestic abuse and to challenge public perceptions that Domestic abuse is acceptable

Aim and The approach - how we will achieve these aims

3.4.1 Increase public perceptions and awareness of the County Courts intervention and support issues of Domestic Abuse

Action - Leaflet distributed to all agencies especially CAFCASS, Solicitors and Court Staff To clarify what the court can offer if you are a victim of domestic abuse. Support whilst at court, Court orders family proceedings, financial help etc.

3.4.2 Domestic Abuse awareness training

Action - Continue One day domestic Abuse training

Managers ensure staff resilience available for staff to attend training. Training set as a priority.

Joint Substance misuse and Domestic Abuse training for Torfaen and Monmouthshire

3.4.3 Training and Development pathway

Action - Co-ordinator to implement a database to recorded data to illustrate what agencies have had training and what areas need development.

Set up a Training Sub group to report to forum. Create a document that establish

• what training is available
• Level of training and awareness that staff will need in relation to D.A. due to their role and position.

Co-ordinator is the single point of contact for training.

3.4.4 Set 'Best practice standard’ for Domestic Abuse training packages

Action - Mapping - examine what current D.A. programmes are running, what they cover, internal and external.

Identify what governing body states is required (i.e. does WAG set a standard?)

Identify how to set a 'quality assurance’ Kite mark once agencies have had Domestic abuse training.

3.5 To protect and support children and young people in Wales from the negative impact of domestic abuse

3.5.1 Implement a young persons domestic abuse service

3.5.2 Develop the young peoples counselling service by  increasing access and availability.

3.5.3 Increase in referrals to social services from statutory and  non statutory agencies

The approach - how we will achieve these aims

3.5.4 Safer relationships evaluation and the youth service identify need for specific project, the structure of the project, staff /workers, referrals paths and funding

3.5.5 Access funding streams to increase levels of service and up train current staff.

3.5.6 Work with agencies to  -promote the child protection obligation in relation to domestic abuse ( i.e. emotion abuse)

3.6 To educate and inform children /young people to enable them to make informed Choices

Aim & The approach - how we will achieve these aims

3.6.1 Target young people by delivering work at promoting safer relationships at an early age

Action -Identify working currently being done in primary schools and compliment with PSE lesson on D.A.

Pilot a project in primary school.

3.6.2 Joined up Strategies

Action - LSCB, CYPP and All Wales strategy objectives linked up.

3.6.3 Domestic Abuse for teachers in comprehensive schools and Primary schools.

Action - Work with the schools to promote the importance of domestic abuse awareness and funding opportunities to enable teachers to have the time off to attend the course / awareness platform day. - supply teachers

4. Problems

4.1 Funding

In general the lack of sustainable funding streams available can be detrimental to any funding bid.  As per the IDVA role, within Monmouthshire the local authority and agencies have no available funds to sustain new initiatives.

For example the IDVA role has been funded for 3 years from Home office funds. However, we have found great difficulty in securing the post once core funding has been seized.

4.2 Outreach

To secure that outreach within Woman’s Aid is increased, as presently the service is only for those women within the Freedom Program.  They currently are the only Core domestic abuse service in Monmouthshire therefore receive a huge number of telephone calls and drop in referrals that currently they do not have the staff or funding to offer support to.

4.3 Youth Services

We have a fantastic youth service but to implement or expand a specific youth help line or support service will need specific grant funds and sustainable cost to that the cost done not fall back to the local authority other wise the project will fail.

Since the Safer relationships project it has highlighted that there is a great need to support children who have been living in an abusive household.