Agenda and minutes

To consider and approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 4 March 2025, as a true and correct record of the proceedings and to be signed by the Chair.

Resolved: - That the Minutes of the meeting of the Improving Lives Select Commission, held on 4 March 2025, be approved as a correct record of proceedings.

To receive declarations of interest from Members in respect of items listed on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

To consider whether the press and public should be excluded from the meeting during consideration of any part of the agenda.

There were no items of business on the agenda that required the exclusion of the press and public from the meeting.

To receive questions relating to items of business on the agenda from members of the public or press who are present at the meeting.

There were no questions from members of the public or press.

The report provides an update on progress towards the Rotherham Domestic Abuse Strategy 2022-2027.  

The update will include a progress report on the priority aims, actions and the next steps. In addition, the update will provide information regarding the Domestic Abuse Pathway Review, ahead of the refresh of the Domestic Abuse Strategy in 2025.

This item provided an update on the progress towards the Rotherham Domestic Abuse Strategy 2022-2027, following the previous update presented to the Commission in 2023.

The Chair welcomed to the meeting Councillor Cusworth, the Cabinet Member for Children’s and Young People’s Services who attended the meeting to introduce the report in absence of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Safe and Clean Communities, Emma Ellis, Head of Service for Community Safety and Regulatory Services, Andrew Wells, Head of Safeguarding, Kayleigh Charlton, Community Safety Officer and Kelly White, LINK Officer and Assistant Director for Early Help.

The Chair invited Councillor Cusworth to introduce the report, during which the following was noted:

·       The Strategy was a working document that was amended frequently to highlight any emerging challenges.

·       There had been good progress against the Strategy, examples were provided of the targeted campaigns completed for older populations and the seasonal awareness relating to Christmas and football tournaments, which had been running for several years.

·       Prevention and education were key parts of the strategy, as well as ensuring a trauma informed approach to services.

The Chair invited the relevant officers to provide the presentation, during which the following was noted:

·       Part of the Strategy included the commissioning of domestic abuse services, in October 2022 this process was changed. Rotherham Rise now named Hopian, were commissioned to manage the front door services and high-risk cases, alongside the refuge provision. The in-house service known as the Domestic Abuse Outreach Service (DAAOS), was located in the Safeguarding Service.

·       Since the development of the Strategy in 2022 and by the end of 2024, 81% of actions were complete.

Drive Change Together-

·       The DASH was reformed, to provide better direction around completion, ensure it would be more user friendly, and ensure better guidance on how to use it to manage the risk of a victim.

·       Eight Steps to Homicide training was commissioned to enhance practitioners’ knowledge when assessing risk to a victim, the training also looked at perpetrator's behaviours around key triggers and indicators of escalation.

·       There was strengthened data collection, to inform the service of any gaps for campaigns and projects. Key campaigns such as the Domestic Abuse Summer Campaign and Domestic Abuse Older People's Campaign, were developed to challenge unconscious bias around stereotypical victims.

·       Non-fatal strangulation training and targeted Health professional training was completed with over 500 GPs and health practitioner. The training was in line with the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 by recognising that non-fatal strangulation was a standalone crime. Non-fatal strangulation training was delivered to front line practitioners to ensure they would have the tools to spot the signs and refer for support. 

Prevention and Early Intervention-

·       The ‘Do More’ Campaign was launched, which would follow on from the the ‘No More’ Campaign. The campaign called for all male bystanders to stop abusive and misogynistic behaviours towards women and girls.

·       The Walk Safe App was launched across South Yorkshire to ensure people, particularly women would feel safer. The app had a tracking feature so trusted  ...  view the full minutes text for item 72.

To consider and approve the Commission’s Work Programme.

The Committee considered its Work Programme, and the following was noted:

·       The work programme for 2024-2025 municipal year was complete and a new work programme would be drafted with the Commission at the beginning of the next municipal year.

·       Members were reminded that upon completion of the meeting, there would be a scoping session for the Commission to scope a proposed review on Trauma and Children Missing Education.

·       Members were also reminded that there would be an additional workshop held on the 1^st May, further details had been circulated via email.

Resolved: - That the Work Programme for 2024-2025 be approved.

For the Chair/Project Group Leads to provide an update on the activity regarding sub and project groups of the Improving Lives Select Commission.

There were no sub and project group updates.

To consider any item(s) the Chair is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency.

There was no urgent business.