Somerset review

The practice should access training to improve awareness of domestic abuse and the potential impact of the combination of alcohol abuse, misuse of drugs and the mental ill health. Two suggested e-learning packages can be accessed on the AVA website www.avaproject.org.uk

The practice should host an educational practice event so that colleagues of the medical centre can review the lessons learnt of this review when published, in particular what options the GP might have when patients present with depression or anxiety.

All agencies who have been part of the review and any others deemed to be relevant by the Safer Somerset Partnership, to review their policies and procedures in relation to domestic abuse and consider the following points: Update domestic abuse policies/ procedures as required and implement. Adopt the same definition of domestic abuse in their policies across the partnership, namely the Home Office definition. Give due consideration, in their policies, to the issue of any member of their workforce perpetrating or suffering domestic abuse. To reference domestic abuse as a safeguarding issue using the reference from the Adoption and Children Act 2002. To reference the new offence Coercive Control under the Serious Crime Act 2015 and consider what this means to their organisation.

To consider and develop a Communications Strategy/Plan about domestic abuse which can be coordinated and undertaken by the partnership in consultation with the local safeguarding adult and children boards and public health colleagues. The strategy should take into account various means of communication not just the internet. The aim of the strategy and delivery is to make the dynamics of domestic abuse clear to the community at large.

To keep abreast of research being undertaken in relation to the misuse of NPS substances with a view to sharing this learning across the partnership to prevent harm.