Agenda item

Tina McElligott, Director for Early Help & Childrens Social Care presented the report which provided an overview on three key areas of Family Services delivery that cross over into the Community Safety Strategy which are:

• Domestic Abuse and Violence Against Women & Girls

• Violence, Vulnerability & Exploitation

• Reducing Re-Offending

The report set out key progress, highlighting national initiatives, local innovation, and current/future challenges to delivery and the following highlights were shared with the board:

• In Barnet in the 12 months to February 2023, there were 5044 Domestic Abuse incidents, 3121 Domestic Abuse offences and 722 Domestic Abuse violence with injury cases were reported to Police.

• IRIS Programme - Out of 50 GP surgeries in Barnet, of which 28 are fully trained practices and a further 15 are partially trained, 7 GP Practices have not engaged. In order to improve take up, Solace has been linked as the lead for training the remaining GP surgeries. And referrals into Solace Services from GPs in Barnet have improved with take-up of training.

• Additional funding for this programme has been agreed and is being jointly funded by Barnet Public Health and North Central London Integrated Care Board with a total of £90k having been committed.

• Prevention in schools - Public Health is mapping support, resources and training available to schools in the prevention of domestic and sexual abuse and training for all safeguarding leads in schools has been requested to support this.

• Operation encompass – led by the Metropolitan Police in partnership with the Council and schools enables the Police to share information with schools following reported domestic abuse incidents which leads to school support staff being able to be aware instantly to provide support to the children and young people affected. Tania Martin commented that she would make contact separately with Ms McElligott to ensure this is a success.

• There were 147 homelessness approaches due to domestic abuse in quarter 4. Of these, 29 were provided temporary accommodation. Many victims find their own accommodation as they do not want to stay in temporary accommodation.

• Barnet Homes dedicated DA Team supported 23 victims in quarter 4 who were deemed high risk.

• The CODA programme is also continuing and being modified to make some of the model more culturally appropriate along with a pilot being organised with teenagers.

• In Barnet, the police have issued 26 Domestic Violence Prevention Notices (DVPN) and 22 Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPO) in the 12 month period to March 2023.
• 15 requests for Clare’s Law disclosures at DA MARAC an increase from 8 requests in Q3.

• The team continue to work with Middlesex University on the ‘hear my voice’ campaign which is student led and continues to focus on capturing the local context of the borough and narratives of individuals, groups and organisations in the community.

• The Barnet One Stop Shop (OSS) has seen the demand for the services decrease however there has been various issues in relation to space and privacy for victims and this is being discussed with housing as the aim is to ensure victims have the utmost privacy when coming to discuss such sensitive issues

• Barnet Council has signed up to the Mayor’s Women’s Night Safety Charter. The resources and training through the charter will be linked to the Safer Spaces Network Pilot for business operating in the night-time in the borough.

Cllr Conway thanked the team, the transport Police and highways for all their efforts in ensuring the night safety work is successful. She noted that this is one of the administrations priorities and have pledged to take this forward for the safety of those living in the borough. 

• In quarter 4, there were 11 Serious Incidents Response Meetings (SIRM) held, only one was in relation to an out of borough incident which is a shift from quarter 3 where incidents mainly occurred out of the borough. This number is an increase from both quarters 2 & 3.

The Safer Communities Partnership Board to consider the progress being made to reduce offending and tackle exploitation and violence, including violence against women & girls.