To approve the approach to recommissioning of a domestic abuse support service and the outline of a new Domestic Abuse Strategy for Herefordshire.

The cabinet member children and families introduced the item and highlighted the key points of the service and strategy. It was noted that:

·         there would be a focus on prevention, partnership working and pursuing perpetrators;

·         the cost to society of domestic abuse included the financial costs relating to criminal justice, policing, housing and social care;

·         the human cost was immeasurable and had particular impact on children, whose lives could be permanently blighted without appropriate support.

In discussion of the report it was stated that:

·         national estimates of the costs of domestic abuse included a broad sweep of costs across the system, only a very small proportion of which would fall to the council;

·         cost estimates were derived from available information but did not include all elements associated with the impact of domestic abuse, due to under-reporting the actual costs were likely to be higher than stated;

·         the inclusion of services for male victims was welcomed;

·         the poor quality of data was frustrating but reflected the national pattern and the fact that victims often did not want to disclose personal details, especially in crisis situations;

·         the procurement process would typically be 4 – 6 weeks, providers offering the services the council was looking to procure were used to responding to such tenders but there might be some adjustment to the timetable in the report;

·         the maximum value of the service to be commissioned was based on local data and evidence of demand on an annual basis and then multiplied over the intended period of the contract, costs had been scrutinised but any further opportunities to achieve savings would be taken;

·         in the event that additional funds were required for the service above the maximum value agreed, specific additional approval would be needed.

Group leaders were invited to give the views of their group. The strategy was broadly welcomed and it was stated that:

·         the quality of data could be improved to provide better cost estimates;

·         expenditure should be monitored carefully;

·         the service should not operate in a silo, it should be integrated with work across the children’s and adults directorates and the community safety partnership.

Resolved that:

a)    the proposed outline Joint Strategy for Domestic Abuse at appendix C be approved for the purposes of informing commissioning intentions;

b)    a domestic abuse support service be commissioned for a period of up to five years from 1 April 2019 at a maximum value of £1.3m; and

c)    the Director for Adults and Communities be authorised finalise the service specification and award contracts for domestic abuse support services within the agreed budget.