Agenda item

Tina McElligott, Director of Childrens Social Care introduced the report. An overview was provided to the Safer Communities Partnership Board on three key areas of Family Services delivery which cross over into the Community Safety Strategy, these are:

•      Domestic Abuse and Violence Against Women & Girls

•      Violence & Exploitation

•      Reducing Offending

The report set out key progress made and highlighted national initiatives, local innovation, and current/future challenges to delivery.

Objective 1: Early Intervention and Prevention of Domestic Abuse and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).

Early intervention and prevention helped reduce the amount of domestic abuse, domestic homicide, and suicides linked to domestic abuse and by stopped people becoming perpetrators and victims. An ‘Ending Gender-Based Violence Teacher Toolkit’ has been developed and will be rolled out to schools in the Borough.

The Director of Childrens Social Care noted to the Board that the IRIS programme progress has remained the same.

Objective 2: Support all victims and survivors to report, access help and recover.

The volume of referrals received by the Solace Advocacy and Support Services has increased by 18% compared to 2022.

Operation Encompass, led by the Metropolitan Police (MPS) in partnership with the local authority and schools. The joint-agency protocol enables the Police to share information with schools. The Director of Childrens Social Care reported that Encompass have struggled with school sign ups and encouraged safeguarding leads to advocate to schools.

Councillor Moore suggested that the service should reach out to Governors for support. Fiona Bateman - Independent Chair, Barnet Safeguarding Adults Board offered support to the service also.

Objective 3: Pursue Perpetrators and Engage them in behaviour change.

Perpetrators of domestic abuse need to change their behaviour and stop offending. The relentless pursuit of perpetrators has driven down and reduced the number of domestic violence incidents and homicides. Barnet has delivered a range of programmes aimed at addressing perpetrator behaviour and ensuring victim safety, this included the RISE Mutual Perpetrator Programme, Culturally Integrated Family Approach, Safe and Together and the Drive Programme.

Barnet’s rate of Domestic Abuse Incidents in the 12-month period to September 2023 is 13.6 per 1,000 population. This placed Barnet in as 5th from the lowest rate in London. There were 731 Domestic Abuse with Injury offences recorded in the 12-month period to September 2023; the sanction and detection rate is 7.3% in the reported period.

The Rise Perpetrator Programme commissioned by Family Services is aimed at reducing re-offending and repeat victimisation. Barnet have worked with 9 other Local Authorities and have held the initial implementation meeting.

Objective 4: Strengthen the partnership response to improve multi-agency working and information sharing to deliver improved outcomes.

The Director of Childrens Social Care highlighted to the Board that the VAWG Delivery Group meet quarterly to oversee delivery against the aims of the DA & VAWG Strategy.

Objective 5: Working together for safer streets, community, and public spaces.

It was reported to the Board that this aimed for all Barnet residents to feel safe out in the community by working together to reduce VAWG and raising awareness. A Safe Haven Network Pilot is being developed where females can seek temporary refuge in moments of vulnerability.

The Chair thanked the whole team for their work and noted the progress outlined in the report.