To receive a presentation by J Gibson, Domestic Abuse Partnership Co-ordinator
Minutes:
J Gibson, Domestic Abuse Partnership Manager and K Rose, Head of Integrated Safeguarding Unit attended the meeting to provide an update on domestic abuse and sexual violence.
It was highlighted that voluntary perpetrator provision had been secured for 1 year due to a health under spend; this would be used to facilitate the Lifeline Voluntary Perpetrator Programme. The programme would be evaluated by MMU, providing an independent view point on its success. As the funding was not sustainable, Members stressed the importance of providing hard evidence to prove the financial success of the programme, possibly thorough a cost/benefit analysis.
The following enhanced provisions had also been secured:
· Specialist Domestic Abuse Worker at Leighton Hospital
· Specialist Domestic Abuse Worker with Children’s Services ‘Front of House’
· Young persons advocate post being established within the Council Safeguarding Education Team.
· Cheshire east Council had been ranked 4th nationally in the Partnership Review.
· The Cheshire East Domestic Abuse Partnership was now accountable to both Adult and Children’s Safeguarding Boards.
· Major Safeguarding Conference in May 2013 – Breaking the Silence, allowing survivors to have their voice heard.
· Establishing Shared Outcomes
As part of their corporate parenting role, it was agreed that Members required refresher training on what to do if they suspected a child was a victim of domestic abuse. This training should also be extended to Town and Parish Councillors and could be delivered through the circulation of a DVD. It should form part of the Members induction package, which would also help raise the profile of domestic abuse.
By April 2015, Cheshire East Domestic Abuse Partnership would be redesigned to be more effective, providing one service to assess and respond to need, providing:
· The provision of a holistic domestic abuse service for victims, survivors, perpetrators and families.
· A focus on early intervention to reduce the long term demand for domestic abuse services.
· Compulsory education on healthy relationships in schools and colleges.
· Ease of access to domestic abuse services.
· Consistent service provision achieved by all agencies committing to best practice and implementing current procedures.
· Improved skill sets across agencies so that practitioners can ask the right questions, listen to victims/perpetrators and recognise risk.
· The provision of voluntary perpetrator programmes across the Cheshire sub region.
It had also been agreed to align and pool all specialist domestic abuse funding by April 2015. It was noted that the authorities’ contribution was £873,000, however, as in previous years, to the Police and Crime Commissioner had only committed £9750, which was not in line with police contributions nationally. The Committee agreed that resources needed to be invested in prevention as key partners needed to be proactive rather than reactive, and therefore the Chairman agreed to raise this issue with the Commissioner.
RESOLVED
1. That the officers be thanked for their presentation.
2. That Members receive refresher training on what to do if they suspected a child was a victim of domestic abuse, this training should also form part of the Members induction package.
3. That the training be extended to Town and Parish Councillors.
4. That the possibility of the training being delivered through the circulation of a DVD be investigated.