Agenda item

The Committee considered a report on Domestic Abuse.  The report outlined the demand for services and summarised the services available for those affected by domestic abuse in the Borough.  Catherine Fox, Partnerships Vulnerability Officer, presented the report with contributions from Sarah Moore, Partnerships Manager, Becky Murphy of Staffordshire County Council, Helen Jarvie from the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner and Matthew Ellis, Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire and Rescue and Crime. 

The Committee was advised that the work referred to the situation during 2020 based on data from the year.  The MARAC (multi agency domestic abuse conference) had continued its work which had been a pilot project in Newcastle-under-Lyme but had now continued and had been introduced across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.  Work with vulnerable people had increased and investment in Domestic Abuse services had been increased including through funding pots from the Ministry of Justice.   The situation with levels of Domestic Abuse during Covid had been unclear to start with but data now showed that cases had increased.  At the start of the pandemic, many people had sought help via the National Helplines and were then referred to local services.  This had seen a slight increase in calls for support until around October 2020 when a sustained increase had been seen to the range of support services available.  There had been communications around where support was available and there was around a 25% increase in calls for support.  Providers had responded well to increased demand and adapted services with online support available but some face to face support such as in school settings was offered.

Members raised a number of queries and issues on the report:

-       Were there many cases of child to adult violence?  Members were informed that there were around 15 cases per quarter that were referred to commissioners that were child on parent abuse.  This figure had not increased during the pandemic.  In April 2021 a dedicated support offer to individuals affected was to be made called ‘Who’s in Charge’.

-       What were waiting times for services once an initial approach had been made?  This depended on type of service and level of risk; if it was a high risk situation then assessment and triage would be immediate; if lower risk, after initial support and guidance there may be a wait time of a few weeks for further support. 

-       Was the Children and Young Person’s Glow domestic abuse service finishing at the end of March and what would happen after that?  The Committee was advised that the contract was due to end on 31^st March but a contingency plan was in place to ensure there would be no gaps in service and there would be an extension to the service using the Locality Deal Funding passported to the Borough Council on behalf of the Newcastle Partnership from the Commissioner’s Office.

-       A question was asked about Domestic Homicide Reviews.  It was explained that any recommendations from DHRs would be shared with relevant agencies who would take any learnings or development requirements into account. 

-       Members referred to specific agencies Mankind, Broken Rainbow and Karma Nirvana and their role.  Members were advised that Mankind was to support male victims of domestic abuse; in relation to other agencies the information would be shared outside of the meeting as information was not to hand.  The Partnership Manager explained that the responsibility for DHRs was with district councils with the Chair of the Community Safety Partnership, Cllr Maxfield.  There had been 2 Panels which had held scoping reviews and submitted returns to the Government; all partners were invited to the scoping review and participated.  A project with Karma Nirvana had taken place around 4 years ago at Newcastle college to raise awareness of honour based violence.  The local refuge would also access their services if needed.  There was also an initiative in 2019 when the New Vic Theatre had hosted a roadshow by Karma Nirvana to raise awareness about so called honour based violence through a drama production which many students had accessed. 

-       Were cases increasing and was Newcastle Borough similar to other areas?  Members were advised that the situation in the Borough was similar to the rest of the UK with an increase of around 25%. 

-       Could Members be reassured that the new statutory obligations for safe accommodation that come into force on 1 April 2021 could be met without any gap in provision?  Members were advised that the statutory requirement was to set up a partnership group to lead on this and in Staffordshire there were already partnership arrangements through Domestic Abuse Commissioning and Development Board with a broad range of partners.  One of the sub groups was focusing on safe accommodation and funding had now been confirmed from MCHLG and this would enable existing services to be maintained while a broader needs assessment was undertaken. 

-       Was data available for case numbers on a smaller basis than 24 months?  Members were informed that statistics were available on a quarterly basis as follows– January – March 2020 saw 122 enquiries and referrals; April – June was 121 ; July to September was 150; and October to December saw 189 referrals.  This represented an increase in demand of over 50%. 

-       What happened to those who received referrals but were then not supported?  The Committee was informed that enquiries and referrals covered a broad spectrum from a family member making an enquiry to a referral from the police.  It could be that a person chose not to engage.

-       The Borough had the third highest number of recorded incidents and was the funding reflected in this?  Funding provided from the Commissioner’s office was for service across Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent and was a baseline pot and was not proportioned out. 

-       What was the policy regarding ‘consent to contact’?   Members were informed that in cases of Police involvement the Police would make the victim aware that they would be referred to a service and given an offer of support.  The policy was that the victim would be made aware that there were services available and they would be made contact with.

-       Had any face to face support been maintained if needed?  Members were informed that the New Era service had operated from its 2 premises which were Covid secure; if a victim needed to meet a support worker these offices could be used.  For CYP New Era staff could access children in a school environment if needed.  There was PPE available and lateral flow testing was being considered.  Members were alos informed about the Ask Annie initiative to enable people to access support via pharmacies; this was an initiative developed by the Commissioner’s Office and police colleagues in Staffordshire and had been launched nationally by the Home Office.  Members were also advised that the CYP with GLOW service had put in measures to ensure they could support children and young people in a face to face way where necessary. 

RESOLVED: that the report be received and noted and those involved be thanked for the detailed report.