Agenda item

Kate Whittaker, Domestic Abuse Co-ordinator attended the meeting to present the Domestic Abuse Report.

Overall, performance in Bracknell Forest was good, and it was noted that Bracknell Forest was the only Local Authority in the Thames Valley to achieve a reduction in Domestic Abuse crime between the years 2014/15 and 2015/16. Bracknell Forest also had the lowest number of repeat offenders in Berkshire.

Kate reported that there were however concerns regarding the gaps in provision for children who were subject to or witnesses of Domestic abuse, and the report aimed to identify the gaps.

For the last four years, there had been £100,000 funding from Bracknell Forest Council for Domestic Abuse prevention work. 40% of this had been allocated to Children’s Social Care to fund work with perpetrators, and 60% had been allocated to other Community Safety projects. As a result of the proposed budget cuts by Bracknell Forest Council, the PICADA programme would cease to be funded.

Training of frontline staff would be unaffected by the budget cuts, and it was noted that bespoke training could  be arranged if there was a specific requirement within an organisation. There was a need to ensure that front line staff were aware of and using the training on Domestic Abuse available to them. DASC meetings, the DAPS programme, the It’s Never Ok website and Plain Talking programme were also unaffected by the budget cuts.

Three areas of work have been identified as requiring further work:

1)    Work with those experiencing domestic abuse within their own relationship (either with a partner or family member)

As there was no specialist provision currently in place, there needed to be better signposting in place to services such as Kooth and other counselling services.

2)    Work with those witnessing domestic abuse at home

The PICADA programme had been working with10 children and 6 mothers in 2015/16, but it was recognised that this was a relatively expensive service. It was considered that delivery could be shared between practitioners who had previously been selected and received the required training in order to integrate this within current service delivery.(Action KF to contact agencies to request staff are supported to contribution to PICADA programme)

3)    Preventative work/healthy relationships work in schools

There was some work ongoing in this area, but it was unclear how consistent and effective it was.

Arising from discussion, the following points were noted:

• Children’s Social Care were submitting an innovation bid to DfE with Hertfordshire bid for further funding for domestic abuse work. This would be presented to a future LSCB.
• There had been good attendance at training, particularly from Bracknell Forest staff and agencies. Attendance from Health partners was less regular, and it was suggested that Health partners should check whether training was being attended elsewhere or whether this was an area of need. (Action: Nancy Barber)
• There had been a lack of engagement from Faith Groups, and it was agreed that actions should be taken to ensure that faith groups were trained and aware of the issues. It was suggested that this could sit on the next agenda of the Community Cohesion and Engagement Partnership. (Action: Lizzie Rich)
• It was suggested that issues around domestic abuse affecting young people aged 16/17 could be added to the terms of reference of  the Safeguarding Adolescents Task and Finish group. (Action: Angella Wells)
• A positive example of impact was provided to the Board and it was suggested that the child’s voice be included in the DAPS evaluation report, and that children who had been positively impacted by the work be included in the report. (Action: Kate Whittaker/Kellie Williams)
• The impact of the DAPS programme was recognised and the review/evaluation would be circulated to the Board. (Action: Kate Whittaker/Kellie Williams)

Kate Whittaker was thanked for her detailed and informative update. The Chair mentioned that the DA audit currently being scoped jointly by the DA Steering Group and the LSCB would provide richer information on the effectiveness of the DA processes and the quality and impact of services.