Agenda item

Report of the Assistant Director Commissioning, Performance And Transformation

The Assistant Director Commissioning, Performance and Transformation submitted a report (previously circulated) to provide Members with an overview of the requirements of the Local Authority under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, and an update on how this authority is supporting victims of domestic abuse and adhere to the Act.

The submitted report outlined that the Domestic Abuse Act came into force in 2021 and introduced new requirements which Local Authorities must fulfil. It was stated that the Act created the first statutory definition of domestic abuse to ensure that "domestic abuse is properly understood, considered unacceptable and actively challenged across statutory agencies and in public attitudes”. The submitted report identified examples of behaviour which constituted domestic abuse; highlighted the statutory requirements placed on the local authority by the Act; and outlined the priorities contained within the ‘Domestic Abuse Safe Accommodation Strategy 2021-2024’.

Concerns were raised in relation to future funding of support services, and whilst it was noted that funding had previously been made available to the Local Authority via the Burdens Fund, Members sought to ascertain what contingency arrangements were in place should such future funding not be forthcoming. Members also sought reassurances in relation to the role of the Domestic Abuse Housing Options Officer, the level of actual housing stock available, the level of emergency accommodation available and provision under the sanctuary scheme.

Members were eager to learn more in relation to the actions undertaken in terms of early identification and intervention (Priority Two), the work undertaken to encourage reporting of domestic abuse and to understand the barriers to reporting domestic abuse, and establish what more could be done to ensure that the voices of the victims of unreported domestic abuse could be heard. Members were also keen to ensure that all reporting and disclosure of domestic abuse was correctly recorded to support any future action.

Members entered into discussion on the role that Adult Social Care staff play in identifying domestic abuse, the training provided to allow staff to identify the signs of domestic abuse, and how this identification was integrated into social work practice. Members also expressed an interest in scrutinising the performance data in relation to commissioned partners, specifically in terms of waiting times for dedicated one-2-one therapy, the sanctuary scheme and accommodation.

Discussion returned to the uncertainty around the future funding of services, with reference made to the funding of the refuge by Public Health. It was acknowledged that, whilst work was being undertaken to maximise charitable trusts and manage the existing resources, there were potential risks to services. 

RESOLVED – (a) That the Adults Scrutiny Committee await the completion of the Needs Assessment and that this be provided to Scrutiny, where appropriate.

(b)That the services commissioned by Darlington be monitored and scrutinised by the Adult Scrutiny Committee, and that this Scrutiny Committee support the re-evaluation following completion of the Needs Assessment.

(c) That the joint working arrangements on domestic abuse be noted.

(d) That an annual update report be submitted to this Scrutiny Committee.