Agenda item

A report on Domestic abuse provision in Bath and North East Somerset will be available in time for the meeting.

The Inclusive Communities Manager introduced this item to the Panel. She gave them a presentation, a copy of which will be available online as an appendix to these minutes, a summary is set out below.

Definition

The abuse can encompass, but is not limited to: any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexual orientation.

The abuse can include, but is not limited to: psychological, physical, sexual, financial and emotional.

Profiles

Estimate 5,936 women age 16-59 in B&NES experienced DA in the past year.

Women with ill-health and disability are almost twice as likely to experience DA.

Of the 1,474 DA incidents recorded by the police in B&NES between 2013/14

58% (858 incidents) low risk

32% (469 incidents) medium risk

10% (147 incidents) high risk.

Perpetrators

79% of all recorded perpetrators were men, over 50% were age 33 years and under.

44% of the perpetrators of clients of Southside's Independent Domestic Violence Advice Service (IDVA) were thought to have mental ill health. 44% to have had issues with alcohol and 46% issues with drugs.

Trends

Numbers have risen, rising from 46 in 2008/09 to 154 in 2013/14. This is in line with overall increased rates of reporting.

The Bath Freedom Programme received 151 referrals in 2014, compared with 52 during 2013.

Next Link Refuge accommodated 28 women and 33 children in 2015/16. The service was fully utilised for 99% of the time.

Specialist Service Responses

Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences: high risk (those at risk of murder or serious harm) is shared monthly between local agencies.

Independent Domestic Violence Advisor: Southside Family Project. Part funded by PCC’s Community Safety Fund.

Julian House: Freedom Programme and CRUSH: preventative programme: awareness raising & support for people age 13-19 to make safe & healthy relationships.

Voices: female survivors, an independent charity.  Freedom programme (evenings).

Off the Record: for people aged 11-18 who have witnessed DA.

Identification and Referral to Improve Safety (IRIS)

GP based DA training support and referral programme.

Training and education, clinical enquiry, care pathways and an enhanced referral pathway to specialist DA services. 

Perpetrator programmes

For a long term sustained solution, perpetrators’ behaviour needs to be challenged and changed. Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire Community Rehabilitation Company run such a programme – ‘Building Better Relationships’: 

For offenders convicted of crime that are related to ‘Intimate Partner Violence’

The new Government Violence Against Women & Girls strategy recognises this need – potential for funding bid 2017.

Learning from Domestic Homicide Reviews in B&NES

DHR required where the circumstances surrounding a death can be shown to be linked to DA.

To critically analyse agency involvement, identify areas for improvement to service provision & develop a detailed action plan for agencies involved.

This year B&NES has commissioned 1 full DHR and 1 ‘root causes review’ of death.

Councillor Michael Norton asked if part of the rise in figures was due to confidence in being able to report incidents.

The Inclusive Communities Manager replied that it was that alongside an awareness and acceptance of being able to report them. She added that by the end of the summer it was likely that they would have a stronger database to analyse.

Councillor Alan Hale asked who determines whether an incident is of low, medium or high risk.

The Inclusive Communities Manager replied that a “dashboard” of risks is assessed by professionals.

Caz Snell commented that she had supported 72 cases since being in place at the RUH and that 52 of those were classified as adult safeguarding. She added that the emergency services had really taken this area of work on board.

Lucy Fordham from Southside said that 80% of their caseload was DA related.

Councillor Jonathan Carr asked how numbers and reporting of incidents were verified.

The Inclusive Communities Manager replied that good, robust data was available from Southside and that she was in the process of gathering further information from Lighthouse. She added that Lighthouse Integrated Victim and Witness Care is within Avon and Somerset Constabulary and offers an enhanced service to vulnerable, intimated or persistently targeted victims of crime and anti-social behaviour, and victims of serious crime.

The Strategic Manager for Communities added that the Council will also compare data with the other neighbouring local authorities. He added that he felt that reporting of incidents was happening earlier in the cycle and that work was ongoing to stop repeat cases.

Councillor Bob Goodman asked what the likelihood was of cases moving through the classification from low to high.

The Inclusive Communities Manager replied that work on this matter was taking place.

Councillor Michael Norton said that he would welcome further training on this matter.

The Inclusive Communities Manager replied that it was part of the current induction programme, but would be happy to expand if Councillors requested.

Councillor Neil Butters commended the excellent ongoing work. He said that he was concerned though that the refuge mentioned was in use for 99% of its available time.

The Supporting People Manager then gave the Panel a presentation regarding refuge provision, a copy of which will be available online as an appendix to these minutes, a summary is set out below.

Current Provision

•  10 units of Refuge (safe house) provision, across 2 projects – Next Link and Julian House for women and children in their households

•  All Refuge units situated in Bath city centre, 2 units can meet higher needs

•  None able to take male victims

•  12 units of Floating and resettlement support – across B&NES

Utilisation and Outcomes

•  In 2015/16, 28 women and 33 children accessed the refuge services compared with 35 households in 2014/15.

•  In 2015/16, 28 families accessed the floating support/resettlement service compared to 44 households in 2014/15. 

Unmet Demand

•  Demand for spaces in the refuge remains very high and the units are always fully occupied.

•  Women from out of area are able to access the services and households from B&NES access services in other parts of England

•  Existing provision is sometimes unsafe for local clients as location is known to perpetrator

•  Clients can be turned down if their needs and risks are assessed as bieng too high for current provision

New Investment – Serena House

•  In December 2015 B&NES was awarded £100,000 to set up up to 8 additional units of refuge provision in B&NES

•  This new provision is aimed at people fleeing DVA who have additional complex needs including mental health and substance misuse.  It will be situated away from city of Bath and will be able to accommodate male survivors as well as women with or without children

•  The first 2 units should be up and running in Keynsham before the end of May

Future Commissioning Plans

•  Supporting People contracts end later this year and Commissioners are consulting on future plans.

•  Aim to protect services for DVA; prioritise B&NES applicants; ensure services are available across B&NES;  person centred and whole family approach; link clients in with community (and friends and families), and mainstream services; support to stay at home and to resettle; able to work with male victims as well as women, and those with complex needs

Councillor Alan Hale asked if other Councils were recharged if clients from outside of B&NES used our provision.

The Supporting People Manager replied that other local authorities are not recharged and we are aware that our residents use refuge facilities out of area and we are not recharged for that.

Councillor Alan Hale asked how clients moved on having used the refuge.

The Supporting People Manager replied that if required they are helped to move closer to their home with appropriate safety plans in place and offered support for private renting. Some clients may be given priority on the Homesearch Register, depending on individual circumstances.

Councillor Eleanor Jackson addressed the Panel. She said that there had been an increase in cases within Midsomer Norton and had heard that in some cases it can possibly take up to 37 incidents before it is reported. She asked if it would be possible to have a facility based in the Somer Valley and for a further report to come back to the Panel.

Lucy Fordham from Southside replied that they currently provide an outreach service to meet clients and volunteers were available to transport clients to facilities of need. She added that she would welcome a base in that area of the Council but recognised the need to be creative.

Councillor Peter Turner asked if officers had religious contacts available if required.

The Inclusive Communities Manager replied that they work with a multi-faith team.

The Chair suggested that as part of the next steps the Panel should receive a presentation from Lighthouse and a further report from officers. He proposed that this be scheduled for September 2016.

He thanked everyone for their contributions to the debate.