Minutes:
The Chair invited Rachel Phelps, Adviser, to introduce the item.
Rachel gave an overview of the paper, which sets out the models the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is considering for the future funding of accommodation-based domestic abuse services, and what the implications of these are for councils and the future delivery of domestic abuse services.
The Chair then introduced Hannah McNamara, Head of Housing, Health and Domestic Abuse at MHCLG. Hannah delivered her presentation to members, which included: an overview of her role, the current review being undertaken of funding for refuges and domestic abuse accommodation services, the current review of the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) locally-led strategies, as well as touching on the different types of accommodation currently available, which takes into account different needs and circumstances of survivors of domestic abuse, including those who are at low-high risk.
Hannah also discussed the Ipsos Mori survey undertaken with local authorities in England. The survey asked local authorities about the types of domestic abuse services that were offered in the local area, how these services were funded and which victim groups were supported. The survey had a good response rate (over 60 per cent), and a good mixture of geographical areas, including urban and rural authorities responded.
The survey found a number of councils had robust domestic abuse strategies in place, which demonstrated strong partnership work with the local police, education and health partners.
Following the survey, MHCLG held a number of workshops with local authorities and police and crime commissioners to discuss proposals about how domestic abuse accommodation services should be funded. Hannah explained the workshops focused on what is and what is not working with domestic abuse services, improvements that need to be addressed and risks to victims. The workshops also touched on partnership working (with adult and child social care, schools and the education sector (including the need to treat children as victims), health and housing. Hannah stated that the main issues that domestic abuse accommodation services is facing is long term funding. She explained the current funding model does not allow for strategic decisions to be taken, which has led to short-term commissioning. MHCLG will be taking forward this work on domestic abuse accommodation-based services and will continue to consult with local authorities and wider partners on this important issue.
The Chair thanked Hannah and invited members to discuss:
Members greatly welcomed this work and that this will be led at a local-level, by the best-placed, extremely skilled, professionals. Members stated that there are systems and governance structures in-place already that this work can be built into; members gave examples of Health and Wellbeing Boards as an example. Members also held discussions over proper scrutiny of the work at local-level.
Members held discussions over funding, and agreed that this work needs to be fully funded in order for it to succeed. Members and officers also held discussions over the various funding streams and ring-fenced and non-focused funding pots. Members questioned Hannah over a submission to the Spending Review (SR), and what happens if this work does not get fully funded; Hannah stated that like every other government department, their funding is being looked at and they would be submitting a bid for consideration at the next Spending Review.
Members greatly welcomed multi-agency joint working, agreeing that the police, public health professionals, probation, housing and education will all play vital roles in this. Some members specifically mentioned education as a key sector in this work and held discussions over prevention and preventative measures.
Members discussed the key need for continuation of services, if survivors are placed outside of their immediate area, including support for children. Members made the point that it was not fair for survivors of domestic abuse to be placed-outside of the immediate area, stating the importance of the family keeping links in their community. Some members stated the perpetrators of domestic abuse should be forced to leave their local area.
The Member Champions for Domestic Abuse also offered their time to consult and advise Hannah’s team. Hannah stated that her team would be very keen to work closely with both the Member Champion and the wider Board.
Action
Members noted the update.