Middlesbrough review

That Middlesbrough CSP should seek written assurance from all relevant agencies that the interface between MARAC, MATAC and MAPPA is understood and which process to apply in individual cases and to review whether it needs a ‘repeat incident’ MARAC referral criteria.

That each constituent agency of Middlesbrough CSP provides it with written assurance that staff in their agencies dealing with reports of anti-social behaviour understand that it can mask domestic abuse and/or that the underlying cause maybe domestic abuse.

That NPS and DTV CRC provide written assurance to Middlesbrough CSP that staff in their agencies have a good understanding of domestic abuse, including the ability to identify and respond appropriately when supervising offenders who are, or maybe, victims or perpetrators of domestic abuse.

That NPS and DTV CRC provide written assurances to Middlesbrough CSP that staff are provided with the training, tools and skills to meet their agencies standards when supervising victims and perpetrators of domestic abuse and that managers are supported by the processes, tools and skills to readily identify when the standards are not being met and take remedial action when they are aware this is the case.

That each constituent agency of Middlesbrough CSP provide it with written assurance that staff in their agencies dealing with victims of domestic violence, understand what DVPNs and DVPOs are and how they can be obtained.

That each constituent agency of Middlesbrough CSP provide it with a written report that sets out how their agency engage with hard to reach victims of domestic abuse and those who have suffered previous trauma. This will identify learning needs as well as any good practice so that it can be disseminated locally and nationally.

Middlesbrough CSP and Durham CSP should seek written assurance from Durham Constabulary and NPS that the failure to share information in this case has been resolved by new processes.

Middlesbrough CSP should review the effectiveness and if necessary, strengthen the information provided to family, friends, neighbours and diverse communities about recognising the signs of domestic abuse and where they can go, if necessary anonymously, with such information.

The learning from this review should be shared with Teeswide Safeguarding Adult Board.

The process in which Clare’s Law disclosure is made should be reviewed to ensure that requests are being processed in line with Home Office Guidance.

Message around the investigation golden hour to be disseminated. This is an action that is being replicated in the Crime Allocation and Improvement Rapid Response plan.

Training to be disseminated to all operational officers around evidence-led prosecutions.

All domestic abuse crimes should be reviewed by a supervisor prior to closure.

Training and guidance around the quality of supervisory reviews to be cascaded to all supervisors as part of the Crime allocation and Improvement Rapid Response plan

Domestic abuse policy to be updated in respect to the handling of “no reply” domestic abuse incident, or those where only one party has been spoken with.

Review of control room management and tasking of domestic incidents.

Clear guidance to be created and circulated around the ongoing management of DA investigations where there is a suspect who still needs to be traced. Where a suspect has not been arrested for a DA incident the requirement to arrest/trace them should be handed over to the Investigation Team.

Details of domestic abuse history obtained from Police systems are routinely recorded in the Non-Disclosure Section of OASys, as well as in the Case Management System in order to ensure that this information is flagged to any member of staff who may need to access the case record.

Home Visit Guidance is reviewed and re-issued to all staff in order to reiterate the importance of home visits and the purpose of them in identifying and addressing risk factors, particularly where there is a history of domestic abuse. Staff should always be mindful of the potential risks to a victim when gathering information, making referrals, and recording and storing information. Systems and procedures must be put in place to ensure that risk to victims is minimised – which would include taking a cautious approach to discussing abuse directly with the victim and offender together in the same meeting.

Information to be provided to staff in relation to the importance of clear and accurate recording on the case record of all offenders in order to ensure that all contacts and work undertaken are evident to any authorised individual accessing that record.

Guidance to be re-issued to staff in relation to caretaking cases and the importance of good communication between staff and the expectations around enforcement when caseholders are unavailable/on leave. In addition to the timeliness of requesting caretaking. (Caretaking means someone else has to look after the case in the absence of the allocated member of staff.)

National Standards guidance to be recirculated to staff in order to reiterate the level of contact expected and guidance around practice and expectations.

Guidance to be reissued to staff in relation to information sharing with other agencies in particular the police and MARAC to ensure appropriate information is shared in order to manage risk effectively.

To improve DTV CRC’s response and safeguarding of victims of domestic abuse

Improved response to safeguarding of adults.

Consistent response across DTV CRC team areas to MARAC

Improved enforcement practice of Court Orders and defensible approach to absences.

Improved effective management oversight of practice

Improved Responsible Officer practice in regards to domestic abuse-related information and the overall context of risk and case management.

To enhance the skills of practitioners to recognise escalating and dynamic risk factors and respond to these effectively.