About this page. This page summarises a Domestic Homicide Review published in the Home Office DHR Library. The full report is available at the source link below. Victim and perpetrator names are not included in extracted summaries on this page.
Source · Domestic Homicide Review
Somerset review
CSP: Somerset
Published: December 2022
Year of death: 2015
Extracted: 10 recs
Statutory domestic homicide review under section 9 of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004. Source: Home Office DHR Library.
View full report (PDF) ↗
Source: Home Office DHR Library
Summary
Key concerns include the identification and robust handling of stalking, inter-agency communication and information sharing across authorities and between domestic abuse and mental health services. Delays in accessing mental health support due to GP registration and issues with MARAC processes were also identified.
Extracted recommendations
| # | Recommendation | Addressed to |
|---|---|---|
| 7.1.1 | This agency should link with the local GP practices in close proximity to their safe houses/refuge and build a rapport with the practice in order that the domestic abuse service can become more familiar with the practice. The aim is also so that the GP practices can assist new arrivals with GP registration at the earliest opportunity, recognizing that the individuals may not always have personal identification with them and that this should not impact on their access to healthcare. This recommendation is also applicable to Somerset Integrated Domestic Abuse Support Service also. | Torbay Domestic Abuse Service | Somerset Integrated Domestic Abuse Support Service |
| 7.1.2 | This agency and the Devon Partnership should develop a joint working protocol outlining how they will work together when they are supporting the same individuals. | Torbay Domestic Abuse Service | Devon Partnership |
| 7.1.3 | All referrals into their service for temporary accommodation should be advised to bring identification with them and at least one month’s supply of medication (If medically safe) or a record of the medication in order that support can be ascertained from the new local GP practice for assistance to prevent a deterioration in their health. | Torbay Domestic Abuse Service |
| 7.2.1 | When making a referral, which involves a victim with multiple needs, the referring agency must ensure that as much detail is shared with the new agency in order to support the transition including consideration for travelling to the new service with medication, identification etc... In addition this would include details of any drug and alcohol related misuse and mental health issues and the contact details of these services, in order that the new agency can directly link with the support worker from the old service for information. Within Somerset, this is part of a Joint Working ‘Multiple Needs’ Protocol which needs revising in order to reflect the importance of key information, contact details and to enable a seamless transition between services. | Somerset Integrated Domestic Abuse Service |
| 7.3.1 | MARAC Protocol to be refreshed and circulated to all partners reminding them that their agreement to this process stipulates that actions should be completed in a timely fashion. Where actions are not completed; the MARAC Chair and Coordinator should be informed of the rationale at the earliest opportunity. | MARAC (Somerset) |
| 7.3.2 | An action should only be given to those agencies physically present at the MARAC meeting who understand the context and ask of the action. Where this is not possible, actions can be suggested and then followed up outside of the MARAC meeting by the MARAC Coordinator to the proposed action owner. | MARAC (Somerset) |
| 7.4.1 | Both forums to consider what processes are in place to discuss high risk victims of stalking when they are not familial or partner/ex-partner cases e.g. consideration of the Hampshire model. | MARAC (Somerset) | MARAC (Torbay) |
| 7.5.1 | To consider developing and implementing a training scheme relating to stalking and harassment in order to ensure that officers and staff feel confident in dealing with complaints of this nature, and understand the separate offences of stalking and harassment. | Avon and Somerset Constabulary |
| 7.5.2 | To raise awareness of these issues by identifying champions for these issues across the police force similarly to that already undertaken by Devon and Cornwall Constabulary. | Avon and Somerset Constabulary |
| 7.6.1 | To consider nationally whether MARAC victims can be added to the exemptions for immediate referrals to and acceptance by mental health crisis teams instead of insisting upon a GP referral. | NHS England |
| Recommendations extracted from the published report. Source: Home Office DHR Library. View full report ↗ | ||