Southwest Domestic Abuse Local Action Group

Domestic abuse in Edinburgh in 2016/17 The number of domestic abuse incidents recorded by police in Edinburgh was 5638, a rise of 5.4% from 2016/17 34% Percentage of total child concern forms where domestic abuse has been identified as a concern 44% of the children registered on 31 July who had domestic abuse concern identified

There is no clear pathway for domestic abuse referrals

There was a start / stop response

The cost of domestic abuse The Home Officer carried out a review of the costs of domestic abuse in 2011 in Coventry. The population is of a similar size to Edinburgh and around 4000 cases were reported to the police that year. The costs were found to be around £35 million. Physical and mental health care: £7,695,989 Criminal Justice: £4,847,439 Social Services: £912,867 Housing, civil, legal and employment: £22,258,301   Total Costs: £35,714,595

Screening – for what outcome? Research related to other parts of the UK show that 60% of social services responses to notified families was to send them a letter stating that there will be ‘no further action’. “A key task is to develop a process to distinguish between those families that require intervention from services and those that require other forms of intervention or support, or no services at all.” (Stanley, 2012).

DALAG 2017 - Review of concern forms

Review of unallocated cases

Domestic Abuse Local Action Group The Domestic Abuse Local Action Group aims to develop a process to ensure that there is a clear pathway from domestic abuse incident to service provision based on risk and need within South West Edinburgh. The process will intervene early, engage with all family members, coordinate services and improve outcomes

Edinburgh’s Domestic Abuse Strategy and Improvement Plan The City of Edinburgh Council commissioned services Housing and homelessness services A locality based, multi-agency response to domestic abuse Publicity and awareness raising of services and support available in Edinburgh Working with perpetrators of domestic abuse Improved response to domestic abuse across all service areas Development of effective and accountable governance structures

Domestic Abuse Local Action Group Menu of Actions SAFER FAMILIES EDINBURGH Carry out assessment for perpetrator intervention Undertake Safe Contact Agreement Offer group work interventions for perpetrator – Survive and Thrive, Stronger Fathering, Caring Dads EWA - Assessment at triage shows medium to high risk and more complexity - longer term intervention Provide a support and advocacy service to women who have experienced or are experiencing domestic abuse. This will include information, advice, safety planning, emotional and practical support. Carryout an assessment of her risk and need. This includes assessing her suitability for specialist domestic abuse services. Offer support to the ex/partners of the perpetrator's contacted as part of the DALAG. This will include, with the woman's consent, sharing information with perpetrator workers. FHSS - Assessment at triage shows low risk and less complexity - shorter term intervention Support perpetrator or victim to access services which reduce vulnerability or risk – employment, benefits, mental health, substance misuse, legal advice Assisting victim or perpetrator in decision-making around options for meeting their basic needs; making telephone calls on behalf of the victim/perpetrator (arranging benefits, housing, healthcare, employment, substance misuse treatment); accompanying victim/perpetrator to appointments; and assisting in ensuring victim/perpetrator understand the advice of other professionals (whether verbal or written) Ensure perpetrator is not rehoused near victim Offer tenancy support to victim or perpetrator Working to secure access to services – appointments and resources POLICE ACTIONS Police Actions for consideration at DALAG: -Internal police briefing notes -Occurrence markers -Submission of disclosure requests -consideration for MATAC referrals -Enforcing domestic bail conditions or curfews -Joint visits for safety advice to victims TRIAGE TEAM TASK Review SWIFT, Northgate, HISS and APP systemS for victim and perpetrator and assess intervention using DA Triage Tool TRIAGE TASKS FOR COUNCIL DOMESTIC ABUSE SERVICES Telephone contact with perpetrator TRIAGE TASKS FOR FHSS Telephone contact with victim Complete risk indicator checklist, safety and crisis planning. Refer high risk cases to MARAC. Check if safe to contact perpetrator Advice to the victim and signpost to services

Domestic Abuse Local Action Group Simplified processes Addition of adult concern forms 162 cases in 64 days

Domestic Abuse Local Action Group Removed Cases

Domestic Abuse Local Action Group Allocations

Outcomes Early intervention and prevention Clear pathways and coordinated response Fewer cases receiving no further action Differential response Increase in offer of support to all family members Less referrals to area teams? Less repeat referrals?  

Next Steps Increase referral pathways Women’s Aid workers within Localities Citywide roll out Training and development across service areas Integration with Social Care Direct