Agenda item

The Committee is asked to scrutinse the current partnership approach to tackling domestic and sexual violence and abuse in West Sussex in order to obtain a more coherent and detailed picture of the threats, harms, risks and vulnerability that impact our residents.

26.1     The Committee considered a report and presentation on the County Council’s partnership approach to Domestic and Sexual Violence and Abuse (DSVA) (copies appended to the signed minutes).

26.2     Summary of responses to members comments and questions: -

·       Measuring the effectiveness of ongoing outreach work includes; asking victims and survivors questions about their safety and security, visibly improved trust and confidence among victims coming forward and seeking support and a reduction in the number of repeat victims that use the service.

·       Communication channels were made more accessible during lockdown through; extended service hours on weekdays, weekends and bank holidays, closer partnership-working with the police and children’s social care colleagues and virtual sessions held with GPs and referred patients. Partners have also developed remote ways of working with clients to continue support and be more available for those seeking help.

·       The West Sussex Education for Safeguarding (E4S) curriculum is voluntary and not a statutory requirement (56% take-up among schools). The Safer West Sussex Partnership (SWSP) has identified the 44% of non-participating schools and has prioritised working with them to adopt the curriculum. Members were encouraged to engage with schools in their divisions and help promote E4S.

·       Operation Encompass is a police-led awareness initiative which urgently notifies schools of reported incidents of domestic abuse involving their pupils.

·       Information-sharing agreements and respective duties are clearly understood by agencies and partners without barriers. 

·       SWSP can work with and support providers to reduce the demand on partners working over-capacity, but unable to commission or fund services.

·       There is a risk that children who are exposed to domestic abuse become victims or perpetrators themselves in adulthood or become involved in other types of criminality.

·       SWSP is working proactively to engage with ethnic minority communities and build trust and confidence to overcome language barriers and cultural differences with the aim of making services more accessible.

·       It was suggested that, in liaison with district and borough councils, public sector vehicles should be utilised to promote public service messaging more frequently.

·       The Domestic Abuse Act’s newly imposed duty to provide safe accommodation will have resource implications on the service. The findings of the draft needs assessment consultation and the final strategy will be published in January.

·       Services reliant on short-term funding have contingency/exit plans in place to ensure delivery is met by working collaboratively with other service providers.

·       SWSP local services do support male victims and give the option of working with a male Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) if they prefer. The County Council does not provide a dedicated service for male victims.

·       Pharmacies are recognised nationally as safe spaces and Sussex Police is working to identify and visit popular public places to determine their suitability for safe space status and grow the number of locations countywide.

26.3     Resolved – that the Committee: -

i.            Approved of the scope and range of work being carried out to address the issues of DSVA and reduce harm.

ii.           Approved of the range and scope of work to engage with all sections of our communities.

iii.          Asked Cabinet Members to identify and raise issues of short-term funded services (particularly in respect of early intervention and step-down services) in their respective portfolio areas and describe what contingency plans are in place to prolong service delivery or mitigate its termination at the end of funding periods.   

iv.         Agreed that public messaging is being disseminated adequately across the expected communication channels and suggests that the service explores utilising public sector vehicles, town & parish noticeboards and GP surgeries.

26.4     The Committee recommended that an all-member Member Development Session is held within the next one or two years to receive an update on the progress made and further challenges arising from SWSP’s arrangements for DSVA.

26.5   The Cabinet Member for Adults Services suggested that the Health and Wellbeing Board would be the appropriate forum for determining how best the cross-portfolio implications of the Domestic Abuse Act are taken forward.