Agenda item

·       Deferred at 23^rd September, 2015, meeting. 

Councillor Hamilton, chair of the Improving Lives Select Commission, welcomed Jan Bean, Safeguarding Adults and Domestic Abuse Manager, and Phil Liversidge, South Yorkshire Police, to the meeting.  The Scrutiny Review had been considered at the meeting of the Improving Lives Select Commission held on 23^rd September, 2015 (Minute number 20). 

Further information had been submitted, including the action plan relating to the progress against the recommendations as at September, 2015.  The Service’s storyboard had been included.  It noted: -

·       Consistent representation by a sufficiently senior childrens’ social care manager who would share and disseminate information appropriately;

·       The Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) had gone live on 1^st April, 2015, and it undertook 24-hour decision making;

·       A concern of the Rotherham Local Safeguarding Board that South Yorkshire Police were referring a high number of cases inappropriately.  A new inbox had been created for ‘blue’ low-level contact;

·       An agreement had been reached between Children’s Social Care and South Yorkshire Police that this information would be retained on children’s files;

·       Threshold descriptors had been updated, merged into a single document and were being implemented;

·       Strengthening Families training had been rolled out;

·       Practice audits had found that decision making was largely sound;

·       Performance management was a daily, weekly and monthly factor and managers had a real-time performance dashboard;

·       Issues for further improvement included timeliness of referral to the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference;

·       Further review was required on ensuring that national risk assessment models were jointly referred to by the police and the MASH;

·       The effectiveness and attendance at the MARAC needed to be reviewed and addressed. 

Jan and Phil reported that the Independent Domestic Violence Advocates (IDVA) received and reviewed new referrals each morning along with the police and social workers. 

Phil explained the previous figures quoted that stated there had been a 75% reduction in domestic abuse.  Phil had spoken to the officers involved with submitting the information.  They had confirmed that twelve high risk disputes had been identified and work had been undertaken to engage with the parties, including substance misuse support.  Overall, of the twelve couples, there had been a 75% reduction in disruptions.  The scheme had been repeated and a similar reduction had been found again. 

Councillor Hamilton requested that a follow-up report be considered by the Improving Lives Select Commission in six-months’ time in relation to this programme. 

Discussion followed and the following issues were raised: -

Councillor Hoddinott referred to the HMIC report into Domestic Violence and felt that there was real cause for concern around Police’s handling of domestic abuse cases.  It would be important to look at how the force was responding to contacts. 

Councillor Hamilton asked how cases involving children were recorded?  - Jan Bean described the process that her Service followed to ensure that children were appropriately followed-up. 

Mr. M. Smith noted that the four workers was less than the recommended level.  How was the Service coping with demand? – Jan spoke about how the scrutiny review recommendation on the staffing establishment had helped.  There were more workers on permanent contracts, meaning that retaining high quality staff on stable contracts boosted the service.  Prior to the scrutiny review staff had been on one-year rolling contracts; now staff were permanent employees.  Prevention of domestic abuse was a priority for the Council. 

Councillor Ahmed asked about the ways in which the Service analysed cases to ensure that delivery was relevant – were significant factors / triggers analysed?  What links did the Service have with CAHMS and Adult Services?  - Jan explained that the service was constantly evolving due to the nature of issues that it responded to.  Recently it had completed work on so-called ‘honour-based’ violence.  She explained that RDASH and CAHMS representatives attended, along with sections of Childrens’ and Adults’ Services. 

Councillor M. Vines asked about the review of the e-learning on Domestic Abuse and if it included other agencies?  – Jan explained that the aim of the training module, which was available for all staff, was to get them to be comfortable with identifying domestic violence in a safe way.  The protocol with health would be signed-off in the new year. 

Councillor Hamilton welcomed the progress that had been made and asked the Improving Lives Select Commission to agree that the Review be signed off.  She requested an update on the working of the MARAC in six-months’ time, to be considered alongside the HMIC report. 

Resolved: -  (1)  That the Improving Lives Select Commission’s Review of Domestic Abuse be signed-off.

(2)  That a follow-up report on the MARAC’s progress over the next six-months’ be considered alongside the HMIC’s report at a future meeting of the Improving Lives Select Commission.