Issue - meetings

The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health Integration presented a report on proposals to procure a new, maximum five-year contract for the provision of a Domestic Abuse Victim / Survivor Support Service commencing 1 October 2024.

The Cabinet Member advised that in the 12-month period to May 2023, Barking and Dagenham had the highest rate of domestic abuse offences in London at 16.8 per 1,000 population, which showed that despite the various initiatives already being undertaken by the Council and other partners in the Borough, much more needed to be done.  The proposed procurement was for an outcome-based, proactive support service which could be adapted to the changing needs and resources available, working in conjunction with other agencies and services to provide a coordinated response.  Outputs that would be included in the tender specification included:

·  A single front door with one phone number, one referral form, assessment and transfer into appropriate support;

·  Trauma-informed service provision for residents, victims, survivors and their children;

·  Refuge accommodation;

·  Independent Advocacy and 1:1 Support;

·  Therapeutic support (group) for adults and for children affected by domestic abuse;

·  Sanctuary schemes and target hardening, making the survivors safer in their homes;

·  Community engagement and awareness raising, including training for staff and partners, and healthy relationship workshops offered to schools and providers working with children and young people;

·  Volunteering opportunities, peer mentoring and peer support development.

Cabinet Members spoke in strong support of the proposals and highlighted the need for such services, which serve extremely vulnerable individuals and their children, to be properly funded.

Cabinet resolved to:

(i)  Agree that the Council proceeds with the procurement of a contract for a Domestic Abuse Victim / Survivor Support Service in accordance with the strategy set out in the report; and

(ii)  Authorise the Commissioning Director, Care and Support, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health Integration, the Strategic Director, Resources and the Head of Legal, to award and enter into the contract(s) and all other necessary or ancillary agreements to fully implement and effect the proposals.