Agenda item

To consider a report relating to joining strategy and commissioning to reduce the scale and impact of domestic abuse in Cheshire East.

Kate Rose and Judith Gibson, from the Cheshire East Domestic Abuse Partnership attended the meeting and presented a report relating to the joining of strategy and commissioning to reduce the scale and impact of domestic abuse in Cheshire East.

           It was reported that domestic abuse was widespread and damaging to individuals, families and communities. Cheshire East Domestic Abuse Partnership (CEDAP) was implementing a strategy, following widespread consultation, to prevent as well as to respond, which required the engagement of all related partners and partnerships in promoting its aims and committing to its resourcing. The Health and Wellbeing Board had a significant role to play in this work. In recognition of this, the Joint Leadership Commissioning Team had requested that the report be brought to the Board.

It was noted that NICE Guidance recommended a joint commissioning approach to the funding of domestic abuse services. Cheshire East funding had developed historically and took three main forms as set out below, details of which were included in Appendix 1 of the report :-

a.    A partnership funding approach – some core commitment and some annual contribution – to high risk services (IDVA and MARAC) and the front door for all specialist services, the Domestic Abuse Hub

b.    A three year commissioning cycle for refuge and floating support – funded through Council Adults and Children’s Services 

c.    Applications to opportunities for enhancing services

CEDAP accepted that funding approach ‘c’ would always be a part of its work and was a means by which innovation was driven.

Funding approach ‘b’ was being progressed through a joint commission of Adult and Children’s Services.

  The report was expressly addressing funding approach ‘a’ in respect of placing core high risk services, the ‘front door’ for all services (the Domestic Abuse Hub) putting partnership functions on a surer footing by agreeing a three year partnership agreement. Commissioning was not possible as these services sat within the Council.

Service cost and existing committed funding were summarised in the report and had been set out in more detail in a paper to the Joint Leadership Group in November. Due to partnership arrangements, CEDAP was able to use carry forward to sustain annual provision. This would be in the region of £40k for the current year. If all of the anticipated funding was realised for 2015-16 and Children’s Services agreed a contribution to the Hub function in particular, there may be a modest gap in the next financial year and significant shortfalls thereafter.

In considering the report the Board supported the vision and aims as set out in the report and noted the requirement for a joint commissioning approach. However, it was considered that the process needed to be reviewed and that further clarification was required in respect of funding. It was agreed that  the Strategic Joint Commissioning Team be requested to carry out an evaluation in respect of the funding split and to report back to the respective commissioners with clarity regarding the amount of funding required.

RESOLVED

1          That the Health and Wellbeing Board agrees to promote the priorities of Cheshire East Domestic Abuse Partnership Strategy within its own work.

2          That the Health and Wellbeing Board recognises the significance of and respond collaboratively to domestic abuse as a comorbid issue with mental ill health and substance misuse in all work streams 

3          That the Health and Wellbeing Board seeks assurance that partners  are individually committed to CEDAP Strategy and Action Plan.

4          That the Strategic Joint Commissioning Team be requested to carry out an evaluation in respect of the funding split and to report back to the respective commissioners with clarity regarding the amount of funding required to allow decisions to be made for 2015-16.