1. Southwest Domestic Abuse Local Action Group

2. Domestic abuse in Edinburgh in 2016/17
The number of domestic abuse incidents recorded by police in Edinburgh was 5638, a rise of 5.4% from 2016/17
34% Percentage of total child concern forms where domestic abuse has been identified as a concern
44% of the children registered on 31 July who had domestic abuse concern identified

3. There is no clear pathway for domestic abuse referrals

4. There was a start / stop
response

5. The cost of domestic abuse
The Home Officer carried out a review of the costs of domestic abuse in 2011 in Coventry. The population is of a similar size to Edinburgh and around 4000 cases were reported to the police that year. The costs were found to be around £35 million.
Physical and mental health care: £7,695,989
Criminal Justice: £4,847,439
Social Services: £912,867
Housing, civil, legal and employment: £22,258,301
Total Costs: £35,714,595

6. Screening – for what outcome?
Research related to other parts of the UK show that 60% of social services responses to notified families was to send them a letter stating that there will be ‘no further action’.
“A key task is to develop a process to distinguish between those families that require intervention from services and those that require other forms of intervention or support, or no services at all.”
(Stanley, 2012).

7. DALAG 2017 - Review of concern forms

8. Review of unallocated cases

9. Domestic Abuse Local Action Group
The Domestic Abuse Local Action Group aims to develop a process to ensure that there is a clear pathway from domestic abuse incident to service provision based on risk and need within South West Edinburgh.
The process will intervene
early, engage with all
family members,
coordinate services
and improve outcomes

10. Edinburgh’s Domestic Abuse Strategy and Improvement Plan
The City of Edinburgh Council commissioned services
Housing and homelessness services
A locality based, multi-agency response to domestic abuse
Publicity and awareness raising of services and support available in Edinburgh
Working with perpetrators of domestic abuse
Improved response to domestic abuse across all service areas
Development of effective and accountable governance structures

11. Domestic Abuse Local Action Group Menu of Actions
SAFER FAMILIES EDINBURGH
Carry out assessment for perpetrator intervention
Undertake Safe Contact Agreement
Offer group work interventions for perpetrator – Survive and Thrive, Stronger Fathering, Caring Dads
EWA - Assessment at triage shows medium to high risk and more complexity - longer term intervention
Provide a support and advocacy service to women who have experienced or are experiencing domestic abuse. This will include information, advice, safety planning, emotional and practical support.
Carryout an assessment of her risk and need. This includes assessing her suitability for specialist domestic abuse services.
Offer support to the ex/partners of the perpetrator's contacted as part of the DALAG. This will include, with the woman's consent, sharing information with perpetrator workers.
FHSS - Assessment at triage shows low risk and less complexity - shorter term intervention
Support perpetrator or victim to access services which reduce vulnerability or risk – employment, benefits, mental health, substance misuse, legal advice
Assisting victim or perpetrator in decision-making around options for meeting their basic needs; making telephone calls on behalf of the victim/perpetrator (arranging benefits, housing, healthcare, employment, substance misuse treatment); accompanying victim/perpetrator to appointments; and assisting in ensuring victim/perpetrator understand the advice of other professionals (whether verbal or written)
Ensure perpetrator is not rehoused near victim
Offer tenancy support to victim or perpetrator
Working to secure access to services – appointments and resources
POLICE ACTIONS
Police Actions for consideration at DALAG:
-Internal police briefing notes
-Occurrence markers
-Submission of disclosure requests
-consideration for MATAC referrals
-Enforcing domestic bail conditions or curfews
-Joint visits for safety advice to victims
TRIAGE TEAM TASK Review SWIFT, Northgate, HISS and APP systemS for victim and perpetrator and assess intervention using DA Triage Tool TRIAGE TASKS FOR COUNCIL DOMESTIC ABUSE SERVICES Telephone contact with perpetrator TRIAGE TASKS FOR FHSS Telephone contact with victim
Complete risk indicator checklist, safety and crisis planning. Refer high risk cases to MARAC.
Check if safe to contact perpetrator
Advice to the victim and signpost to services

12. Domestic Abuse Local Action Group
Simplified processes
Addition of adult concern forms
162 cases in 64 days

13. Domestic Abuse Local Action Group Removed Cases

14. Domestic Abuse Local Action Group Allocations

15. Outcomes Early intervention and prevention
Clear pathways and coordinated response
Fewer cases receiving no further action
Differential response
Increase in offer of support to all family members
Less referrals to area teams?
Less repeat referrals?

16. Next Steps Increase referral pathways
Women’s Aid workers within Localities
Citywide roll out
Training and development across service areas
Integration with Social Care Direct