Domestic Abuse Strategy consultation 2024

In our 2022 to 2025 strategy, we outlined five outcomes that we wanted to focus on.

In the three years since we launched our strategy, we have worked hard to raise awareness of domestic abuse and support those affected by it. By working closely with key partners and community organisations, we’ve improved how we reach out to those affected, made services better, and ensured that victims get the help they need.

Below is a list of the outcomes and objectives we said we wanted to focus on, what we said we’d do to achieve them, and a list of the things we’ve done in the past three years to do so.

Outcome 1: Children and young people can recognise and form healthy relationships

Objective: Equip children and young people with the knowledge, skills and understanding to recognise and develop healthy relationships.

To achieve this, we said we would:

• work closely with partners in education settings and Public Health to ensure professionals delivering Personal Health, Social and Citizenship Education have access to information, lesson planning and guidance to deliver healthy relationships curriculum
• ensure professionals working in education settings have access to information and age-appropriate support for the children and young people they are working with
• deliver the Domestic Abuse Responders programme to staff within education settings to promote awareness, to support those who are in an unhealthy relationship and challenge behaviours

What we have achieved so far:

• we continue to work with partners in education and Public Health to provide information and support focusing on the Healthy Relationships curriculum
• we piloted a school-based Play Therapy service for children and young people who live in a household where there is domestic abuse

Outcome 2: Individuals experiencing and at risk of experiencing domestic abuse are supported to be and feel safe

Objective: Ensure that all agencies work together to offer the right support at the earliest opportunity as every contact counts.

To achieve this, we said we would:

• ensure those experiencing domestic abuse have their voices heard by developing an Authentic Voice Panel
• make Central Bedfordshire a Safe Space for people experiencing domestic abuse where individuals can access information and support safely within their communities
• deliver the Domestic Abuse Responders programme to community partners, to promote awareness and support for those who are in unhealthy relationships
• develop our approach and support to workplaces so they are able to better support their workforce
• understand the link between domestic abuse, self-harm and suicide, to assist professionals in their learning and how they support clients

What we have achieved so far:

• we launched the Central Bedfordshire Authentic Voice Panel, that consists of residents with lived experience of domestic abuse, who are passionate about helping other victims/survivors
• we launched the Bedfordshire Domestic Abuse Partnership (BDAP) Support Hub scheme. There are currently 116 BDAP Support Hubs in community-based settings across Central Bedfordshire
• worked closely with partners in Mind and Public Health on the Suicide Prevention strategy and training for frontline professionals

Outcome 3: Supporting and disrupting perpetrators to change their behaviour and break the cycle of domestic abuse

Objective: Ensuring that all agencies work together to risk assess and safety plan at every opportunity as every contact counts and the Criminal Justice System (CJS) is effective at holding domestic abuse perpetrators to account, increasing evidence led opportunities and delivering positive outcomes for victims

To achieve this, we said we would:

• support front line professionals to develop the skills and confidence needed to engage with individuals that harm others
• focus on early intervention to prevent escalation and break cycles of abuse
• develop a ‘whole family’ approach to working with people impacted by domestic abuse
• work with partners to partners to provide disruption opportunities targeted at those that harm others in their relationships
• work with the CJS to monitor the use and effectiveness of the legislation available in managing those that harm others in their relationships

What we have achieved so far:

• we commissioned a service for people harming in their relationships, including a 24-week behaviour change program
• we have delivered a range of learning opportunities focusing on a whole family approach which includes working with those that harm others

Outcome 4: Communities, professionals and employers are able to recognise what domestic abuse is and have confidence to tackle and support at the earliest point

Objective: Raise levels of domestic abuse awareness and confidence with all professionals and employees to enable them to identify and respond effectively to domestic abuse at the earliest opportunity.

To achieve this, we said we would:

• deliver joint targeted domestic abuse campaigns with key partners
• develop and delivering bespoke electronic interventions for use of professionals, such as podcasts and electronic training / awareness sessions
• develop a dynamic partnership training offer across multiple platforms and settings
• raise awareness within the business community and business sector, encouraging healthy working environments
• enable services to understand intersectional needs of individuals to ensure individuals get the responses and support they need

What we have achieved so far:

• we continued to expand the Central Bedfordshire Domestic Abuse Responders network, with training and upskilling of professionals across Central Bedfordshire
• we developed resources for professionals, which included a domestic abuse toolkit for frontline professionals and mandatory e-learning for all Central Bedfordshire employees
• we led on the development of revised domestic abuse training with key partners, including workforce development, GPs, 0 to 19 teams, community-based nursing teams, Time to Talk sessions and social work students studying at Bedford University

Outcome 5: The Council are commissioning the right services to meet the needs of our residents

Objective: Commissioning partners and stakeholders to work together to use intelligent commissioning principles to provide services that meet residents’ needs.

To achieve this, we said we would:

• ensure we meet the needs of individuals needing Safe Accommodation under Section 4 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 (see section 2)
• complete robust needs assessment in line with Domestic Abuse Act guidelines evidence of unmet need/barriers to services
• consult with service providers and those experiencing domestic abuse
• understand and working with the voluntary sector to complement existing services
• evaluate commissioned services in accordance with our Domestic Abuse Commissioning Strategy and Equality Impact Assessment (see section 2)
• open, fair, and ethical commissioning which is values based
• publish review and evaluations of our commissioned services

What we have achieved so far:

• we commissioned a range of specialist services to support residents living with domestic abuse
• worked with partners to provide Safe Accommodation and commissioned specific specialist services to support residents in those accommodations
• conducted a Domestic Abuse Needs Assessment capturing the views and experiences of residents