To inform Scrutiny Committee of progress made since 2006, in addressing the needs of children affected by domestic abuse.

The Committee received a report on progress made since 2006 in addressing the needs of children affected by domestic abuse.

The agenda report set out that following the 2005 Joint Area Review (JAR) of Children’s Services an action plan was put in place to address areas of concern and included action points for: the Review of the threshold for referral of children to Children’s Social Care; the Development of an effective workforce strategy to improve recruitment and retention of social workers and to ensure all professionals working with children understand the threshold criteria and apply them consistently in practice.  The agenda report set out the work undertaken to address the action points.  The report also updated on the current position concerning the referral of children; the work of the Independent Domestic Advisor (IDVA) Post; the establishment of the Dedicated Domestic Abuse Court and the work of the Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARAC).

During the course of scrutinising the report the following principal points were noted:

• Following the JAR the recruitment and retention of social workers had improved through a mix of local and national recruitment campaigns; overseas recruitment (USA and Australia); sponsoring council staff in the directorate to undertake Social Work degree courses, and Council sponsored student social workers.  Other than students seeking their degree, the Council had no unqualified social workers.  The successful applicants from the USA and Australia were currently awaiting British registration.
• The Head of Safeguarding and Vulnerable reported that following the recent tragic event at Haringey the Government were initiating a further review of the child protection system.  The Council’s Service had reviewed all of its Child Protection Plans and he was satisfied that all were robust.  He also reported that future Ofsted inspections of the Service were likely to be more ‘hands on’ rather than just ‘data based’ as at present.
• The Committee noted the range of services provided either by the Council or its partners, as described in the report, and particularly noted the work of the Women’s Refuge, the multi-agency work by WMWA and the health visitors. 
• While a high proportion of domestic abuse incidents happened to women, the Committee noted that the Domestic Violence Forum were also looking at the range of support to men in similar situations.
• The Service reviewed its progress against the JAR Action Plan every 6 months and took any necessary action to meet the Plan.
• Approving of the work in setting up the Dedicated Domestic Abuse Court it was questioned what support was made available to the abuser pre a court appearance.  In response it was noted that this issues would be reviewed in 2009.
• Questioning the range of organisations involved in the Domestic Violence Forum it was noted that Registered Social Landlords and Homepoint were already part of the Forum.  An alternative view was expressed that having too many agencies involved may delay vital action.
• The role of the Social Worker was to co-ordinate the different agencies under the Child Protection Plan, therefore it was important to have a clear plan that dealt with the child’s specific issues and be able to monitor progress against the plan.
• While all the plans and strategies may be in place, at the end of the day, it came down to a judgement about the best course of action for the prevailing situation.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted and regular update reports on the Council’s progress in tackling domestic abuse be made to Committee.