Agenda item

This report provides an update on the work of IVASP (the Interpersonal Violence and Abuse Strategic Partnership) to improve services for victims and to reduce domestic violence and abuse in the context of our membership of the national Public Service Transformation Network. It is designed, alongside the feedback from Health and Wellbeing Network, to act as a starting point for a multi-agency conversation to draw on local strengths and transform partnership working on this issue.

The Board is asked to:

1)  Reaffirm the cross-partner importance of addressing domestic violence and abuse as priorities of the Health and Wellbeing Board and the Community Safety Partnership

2)  Consider its response to the key issues and questions set out in Paragraph 5.10 of the report, particularly the need to focus on early intervention

3)  Consider how to further strengthen the referral mechanisms relating to domestic violence and health services, in particular the IRIS scheme

4)  Discuss the potential to transform services for service users by linking with emerging thinking relating to Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub, data-sharing and Integrated Victims Strategy.

The Chairman invited Andy Thomas to give a presentation to the Board.

The following points were highlighted in the presentation:

·  Definition of domestic abuse

·  Graph showing types of alleged abuse experienced by domestic abuse related referrals to Adult Safeguarding in B&NES (March 2011-2013)

·  Health and vulnerability issues of the domestic abuse referrals to Adult Safeguarding in B&NES (March 2011-2013)#

·  Domestic abuse and health

·  Focus groups findings 2013-14

·  An Opportunity - Public Service transformation

·  Links with other projects and initiatives

·  IRIS - Identification & Referral to Improve Safety

·  IRIS - Bristol

·  IRIS GP surgeries and the number of referrals received by different GPs in each practice (Jan-Jun 2013)

A full copy of the presentation is attached to these minutes.

The Chair invited Ronnie Wright to update the Board on the Health and Wellbeing Network meeting held earlier in the day.

Ronnie Wright said that discussions held earlier in the day were quite productive and involved representatives from over 30 organisations.

Ronnie Wright commented that three key areas had been highlighted at the meeting:

·  Raising Awareness

o  Best Practice

o  Training

o  Domestic Abuse Champions

o  Co-ordination

o  Information

o  Networking

·  Knowledge and understanding

o  Research

o  Vulnerability to abuse

§  Mental Health

§  Disability and Learning Difficulties

§  Child victims of sexual abuse

o  Building a profile of potential victims

·  Isolation

o  Geographical

o  Culture

§  Communities

§  BME

§  Armed Forces

The Chair thanked Andy Thomas for the presentation and Ronnie Wright for a feedback from the session held this morning.  The Chair highlighted a need for collaboration between organisations in order to prevent people fall through the gap.

The Chair invited Sue Mountstevens (Police and Crime Commissioner) to comment on the subject of domestic abuse.

Sue Mountstevens said that Domestic Abuse was one of the priorities for the Police and Crime Plan.  Sue Mountstevens valued what had been discussed today but one of the key points was to prevent people fall through the gap, and that there was far too much work in silos.  Sue Mountstevens felt that all partners and organisations would need to work together and share their findings.

Sue Mountstevens was slightly concerned that victims of domestic abuse were not coming forward in expected numbers.  Health and wellbeing had been a key player on this matter considering that victims were far more confident talking to their GPs. 

Sue Mountstevens was also supportive of IDVAs (Independent Domestic Violence Advisors) in A&E, who were, in particularly, helping young people which were victims of domestic abuse.  Early intervention was a key in preventing people being abused and re-victimised.

Robin Cowen (Local Safeguarding Adults Board) said that there was a slight overlap between the agendas in Adult Safeguarding and what had been discussed at networking meeting today about Domestic Abuse.  Robin Cowen welcomed that this subject had been on more than one agenda though the language and culture were different and people had not been looking into this matter enough and in a right way.  The level of awareness was low in some instances and there was quite a lot of work to be done.  People should not lose a momentum on this matter. 

Robin Cowen suggested that Chairs of the Health and Wellbeing Board, Local Safeguarding Adults Board, Local Safeguarding Children Board and Responsible Authorities Group should meet annually to make sure that the agenda was lined up and that there were no duplications.

The Chair welcomed a suggestion from Robin Cowen for annual meeting between various Chairs.  The Chair also said that one of the HWB's top priorities was reduction of health and wellbeing consequences of domestic abuse.

Dr Ian Orpen recognised that GPs had pivotal role in recognising domestic abuse.  Dr Orpen welcomed the IRIS project and recognised the need of raising the awareness for domestic abuse.  The domestic abuse had been regularly debated at monthly GPs’ forums.

Ashley Ayre commented that networking session held this morning had been interesting.  One of the things that could be looked at was whether or not incidents that had happened could be mapped and then discussed with the CCG on how this might link with GP, i.e. to compare one practice where there were a lot of incidents against a practice with fewer incidents.

Councillor Katie Hall also welcomed the networking session held earlier today.  Councillor Hall highlighted part that GPs could play in terms of awareness.  IRIS project in Bristol was something that should be looked at closely.

Tracey Cox commented that all agencies should maximise their opportunities to raise a profile and awareness on this matter.  For instance, supermarket shelves could be excellent places to profile an awareness of domestic abuse and provide the public with useful information, contact, etc.

The Chair welcomed a point from Tracey Cox.

It was RESOLVED to:

1)  Restate the cross-partner importance of addressing domestic violence and abuse as priorities of the Health and Wellbeing Board and the Community Safety Partnership.

2)  Note that the Board is particularly committed on the need to focus on early intervention.

3)  Note the referral mechanisms relating to domestic violence and health services, in particular the IRIS scheme, and to consider the PCC's Community Fund as one of potential resources for future applications.

4)  Agree with a suggestion that Chairs of the Health and Wellbeing Board, Local Safeguarding Adults Board, Local Safeguarding Children Board and Responsible Authorities Group should meet annually to make sure that the agenda was lined up and that there were no duplications.