Decision details

Domestic abuse has been identified as a Council and Partnership priority and we have in place a very thorough and comprehensive Strategy, which is due for renewal next year.

The Covid emergency has led to a large increase in the number of reports we have received in relation to Domestic Abuse, placing increased pressures on our resources, which are operating in a largely virtual way, apart from those cases where personal contact is necessary.

The Covid restrictions have placed increased pressures on households and families and have created an environment where abusers and victims are within the same household for long periods. This in itself is an issue in terms of delivering support and making contact with victims.

During the current situation there is also a recognition that mental health issues are becoming more prominent, as well as increased levels of drinking in the home environment. Both of which are known risk factors to consider within Domestic Abuse cases. As children are also spending more time at home,potentially witnessing abuse, we cannot ignore the impact upon children. There is an expectation that demands upon our services will continue to increase and we have plans in place to ensure we are able to meet this demand. For example recruiting additional staff into the Domestic Abuse Hub and Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) capacity.

Reported cases into the Partnership Domestic Abuse hub and Domestic Abuse Caseworker (DAC) referrals have increased by nearly 20% during the COVID emergency and the table below provides an illustration of this change from 2019 to the same period in 2020. The Domestic Abuse Caseworkers deal with medium and standard risk cases.

See attached Officer Decision Record for full details.

To approve Doncaster Council to undertake the following:
To recruit to the temporary post of Domestic Abuse Strategic Lead

The following options have been considered:
Option 1: Do Nothing
As outlined above, Domestic Abuse is a key issue for Team Doncaster and the Safer Stronger Doncaster Partnership. Not appointing to this role may prevent or delay important work streams we need to take forward to tackle Domestic Abuse, placing vulnerable victims and families at further risk.

Option 2 Manage within Existing Structures
Manage the additional work within existing theme groups and existing
management structures. This has been fully considered, but has been rejected as a viable option, due to existing capacity issues which is preventing the required strategic focus.

Option 3: Appoint a Domestic Abuse Strategic Lead
This is the recommended option and will enable strategic work streams to
continue, supporting the strengthened Governance arrangements that have been established and enabling Doncaster Council and key partners to deliver on our key priority.

Recommendation – To Appoint to the Domestic Abuse Strategic Lead Post for a period of 12 months.