Agenda Item

Executive on 14 September 2004
Report title: Haringey Domestic Violence Strategy
1. Purpose
To present the Haringey Domestic Violence Strategy.
2. Recommendations
2.1 That the Haringey Domestic Violence Strategy and its delivery structure be endorsed.
This report focuses on the following areas:
i. Background to the domestic violence strategy in Haringey
ii. The process for developing and delivering the domestic violence strategy
iii. The Haringey Domestic Violence Strategy (attached as appendix 1)
iv. The Domestic Violence Action Plan 2004 – 2007 (attached as appendix 2)
Report authorised by: Lesley Courcouf, Assistant Chief Executive, Organisational Development
Contact officer: Eve Featherstone,
Equalities & Diversity
Telephone: 020 8489 2583
3.Policy summary
3.1 This Strategy and action plan has been developed from national and local initiatives particularly to the Council’s response to the findings and recommendations of the multi agency Best Value Review 2000-2001 of the domestic violence services in Haringey.
3.2 The Strategy is informed by a series of workshops held with the strategic partner organisations in the autumn of 2003 and by an extensive consultation on the draft strategy during spring/summer 2004. All work on this strategy an action plan has been considered by the Domestic Violence Forum and the Domestic Violence Joint Commissioning Group (now to reflect its new role called the Domestic Violence Strategic Partnership Board). The Haringey Domestic Violence Strategic Partnership Board will lead on ensuring the aims and objectives outlined in the Strategy and action plan are met. The Haringey Domestic Violence Strategic Partnership Board is a multi agency partnership
We have consulted with service users, non-service users, strategic partners, and community and women’s organisations, voluntary sector groups. We have made sure that we have consulted hard to reach groups, people who speak community languages and the diverse communities in Haringey.
4. Access to information:
Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985
Domestic Violence Services in Haringey – Final Report and Improvement Plan, Best Value Review 2000-2001
Background Information can be obtained from Eve Featherstone on 020 8489 ext. 2583

5. Report

5.1The Domestic Violence Best Value Review, 2000-2001 was implemented to undertake a fundamental review of local service provision in response to domestic violence. The key recommendations from the review were to develop and implement a Domestic Violence Strategy and Action Plan, to improve data collection and monitoring around DV, co-ordinate resources and funding, to support continuous service improvements, in particular in the multi-agency response to survivors and to set up a group to co ordinate the commissioning of domestic violence services. This was originally the Domestic Violence Joint Commissioning Group (DVJCG) but following a joint meeting in May 2004 between the DV Forum and the DVJCG a new structure was agreed and is outlined in section 7 of the DV strategy document. In this new structure the role of the DVJCG will be changed to that of a Strategic Partnership Board and an operations group to reflect the need to separate the strategic from the operational roles and have more focus to insure we deliver this strategy and action plan.

5.2 In September 2003, it was agreed that Haringey should adopt a common definition of domestic violence and produce a Domestic Violence Strategy. A Domestic Violence Core Working Party was formed to produce the strategy and agreed that the membership should reflect the diversity of Domestic Violence Forum and Domestic Violence Joint Commissioning Group. Membership and include representatives from; Black and Minority Ethnic Community Organisations, Council officers, Strategic Partners, Voluntary sector Groups with some external input from an expert consultant.

5.3The Core Working Party was set up and chaired by Executive Member for Crime and Community Safety. With representation from many strategic partners; Health, Victim Support, /DVJCG/DV Forum, Metropolitan Police Community Safety Unit, Safer Communities, Haringey Women’s Aid, Child Protection

5.4To consult on the Domestic Violence Strategy a series of 5 workshops were conducted between 22 and 28 October 2003. These workshops focused on the key themes of proposed Domestic Violence Strategy in Haringey. A total of 60 representatives came from various agencies throughout the Borough.

5.5 This draft then went through a wide process of consultationwith service users, non-service users, strategic partners, and community and women’s organisations, voluntary sector groups. We have made sure that we have consulted hard to reach groups, people who speak community languages and the diverse communities in Haringey. It was considered as a draft report by the Council Executive and The Community Safety Executive Board. The final report reflects the comments from all consultations.

5.6 The Strategy sets out aims and priorities, which dovetail with the London Domestic Violence Strategy and the draft proposalsDomestic Violence Crime and Victims Bill. (This was first heard in Parliament on 2nd December 2003, has been through the committee stage and is now at the report stage. If the parliamentary time allows and an agreement is reached, it will become legislation in Autumn 2004.) A consultation process – Safety and Justice: The Government’s Proposals on Domestic Violence was the precursor to the Bill. The DVJCG and Domestic Violence Forum in Haringey took an active part with the Home Office consultation process by holding a conference in August 2003 with over 70 representatives from partner organisations to agree a joint response.

The 4 key priority areas agreed are: - Improve the support and safety of those who experience or who are threatened by domestic violence, Improve the quality, co-ordination and effectiveness of services. Hold abusers accountable. Reduce the tolerance of domestic violence in our local communities.

The Strategy and Action Plan will be managed and monitored by the Domestic Violence Strategic Partnership Board. Services will be reviewed through consultation with partner agencies, survivors and non-service users.

5.7 Haringey Council working in partnership with voluntary and statutory services has achieved all the key objectives from the domestic violence best value review (to date) and this strategy (appendix1) and action plan (appendix2) has incorporated all they outstanding key recommendations from the Best Value Review. Key changes to improve services achieved so far include -

  • Setting up Hearthstone: Haringey Domestic Violence Advice and Support Centre

Hearthstone is a Council led partnership provision. It is staffed by workers from a range of services, such as Housing Homelessness and the Police. Haringey Victim Support, Health Visitors, solicitors and voluntary agencies operate on an appointment/referral basis.

  • Delivery and monitoring structure

Following the BV Review, a joint commissioning group was established in 2001. It has been responsible for co-ordinating, on a regular basis; the key agencies involved in delivering domestic violence services. Following a joint review with the Domestic Violence Forum this May we propose a new domestic violence structure (please note section 7 of the strategy report) part of which will be forming a new Domestic Violence Strategic Partnership Board.

  • Setting up the “Say No To Violence” Project

This is a project originally funded by the European Commission Daphne Programme for 2003, which aims to combat violence against women, young people and children. In Haringey, an Education Working Group was established and a pilot training programme on domestic violence and child protection was organised in November 2003, involving seven secondary schools.

  • Updating and reprinting "I Shall Survive" - A Practical Guide to Domestic Violence Advice and Support in Haringey

I Shall Survive is now in its 4th edition and has proved to be an invaluable source of information for survivors of domestic violence and professionals and others trying to officer support and information.

  • Establishing a local Witness Support Service

Going to court as a witness or as a victim of crime can be a worrying experience, particularly for those experiencing domestic violence. In 2002, Haringey Victim Support Service established a witness service that helps witnesses, victims and their families and friends, before, during and after a Court hearing. Trained volunteers provide emotional support and practical information about court proceedings. The service is confidential and free.

  • Haringey Court protocol

The Domestic Violence Best Value Review highlighted the need for services within Haringey to work more closely to improve the service offered to survivors of domestic violence. Crown Prosecution Service, courts and police and others drafted a protocol. The protocol covered the following topics: - Information to Victims, Withdrawal Statements (to establish if pressure has been put on a DV survivor to drop court proceedings), Victims of Domestic Violence as Witnesses – ‘Witness Service: Model for Magistrates’ Courts Witness Services’, Evidence given by video link.

  • PerpetratorProgrammes

In 2003 the Probation Service have developed and implemented the "Integrated Domestic Violence Abuse Programme" This is a programme that challenges the abusers offending behaviour whilst at the same time there is a parallel to safety packages for those experiencing domestic violence.

5.8It is therefore essential that we build on these initiatives and develop a council led multi agency strategy. That facilitates all agencies to work together to reduce domestic violence in Haringey and to provide high quality support and protection services to those experiencing or witnessing domestic violence. With the main focus to support survivors of domestic violence whilst taking action against abusers.

5.9The Strategy covers a 4 year period. This is to ensure that it is in line with the Haringey Safer Communities Strategy. The priorities will be reviewed on an annual basis and inform the following year’s action plan.

5.10 The reasons for having a strategy is so that each agency/service is clear about its role and how it links with the roles of other agencies/services. That different agencies know what they should be doing in relation to giving advice and support, helping to prevent domestic violence and enforcing the law. Haringey can demonstrate that it is complying with legislation, sharing and adapting good practice, and putting into practice at a local level the policies and initiatives of the Government. Better co-ordination and cost effectiveness.

5.11 The Domestic Violence Strategy will be monitored and delivered through the action plan (appendix 2) This is based on the priorities that have been agreed by all the different partners. Agencies will take responsibility for ensuring that their actions are completed within the agreed timescale. The management of the strategy and the monitoring of the action plans will be through the Domestic Violence Strategic Partnership Board (DVSPB) (for membership please note section 7 of the strategy report) and reported to the Safer Communities Executive Board and the HaringeyStrategic Partnership.

5.12The Council Executive, The Executive member Crime and Community Safety, The Safer Communities Executive Board, via the DVSPB, will oversee the progress of the strategy and will make links with other plans which focus on tackling and preventing domestic violence. The DVSPB will co-ordinate and monitor the Domestic Violence Action Plan to ensure its robust implementation. In addition, it will undertake more detailed work in supporting, monitoring and implementing the action plan and report to the Safer Communities Executive Board. The DVSPB will review progress and will produce an annual report, including an update on the action plan for the following year. The DVSPB will develop mechanisms to ensure that the strategy is embedded into all mainstream agencies’ business plans (where appropriate) in a co-ordinated manner.

5.13Equalities Comments

It is essential that the Domestic Violence strategy integrates all aspects of equalities practice. In our society domestic violence transcends class, race, sexuality and disability. Domestic violence happens in rich and poor communities and in all wards in Haringey. Therefore we must ensure that this strategy is robust enough to meet all the complex needs of all communities and recommends specific action to ensure appropriate service provision and policy development.

5.14Legal Comments

The Head of Legal Services has been consulted on the content of this report and appendices. The Council has a general power under Section 2(1)(b) of the Local Government Act 2000 to do anything, which it considers is likely to achieve the promotion or improvement of the social well being of all or any persons resident in the Borough. In exercising such a power an Authority should have regard to statutory guidance and its own Community Strategy.

5.15Financial Comments

The initial funding for the strategy is to come via NRF, and although the NRF scheme has been extended to 2007/08, the funding to be received by Haringey and its allocation within the Council has not yet been determined.

Community safety funding streams, from which future support is anticipated, will be amalgamated following the Spending Review 2004. The precise detail of how this will take place and the level of resources Haringey will receive is not yet known.

Any future requirement for funding should be included in the Pre Business Plan review process.

The Director of Finance agrees with the proposed course of action.

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