Blackburn With Darwen review

Where, in a case involving domestic violence/abuse, a court is intending to sentence an offender to either a suspended prison sentence or other community punishment involving a supervision requirement, it should be a mandatory requirement that the court is supplied with a suitable address to which to release the individual concerned. The address supplied should be subject of a risk assessment prior to case conclusion. Where no such address is able to be supplied, agency support should be available to assist the offender in securing approved accommodation. Having regard to the ongoing restructure of the providers of rehabilitation services, the Home Office may wish to undertake a study to identify the most appropriate vehicle with which to deliver this recommendation.

West Yorkshire Constabulary review their internal processes to ensure that the analysis of Domestic Violence Cases, particularly within their Safeguarding Units, is sufficiently robust so as to identify serial offenders and correctly apply the rating matrix, to ensure that appropriate cases are referred to MARAC/MAPPA.

The Community Nursing Service review procedures in regard to bereavement visits/family contact to ensure support for families following any death not just those receiving end of life care.

In recognition of the increased risk of reoffending associated with those convicted of domestic violence offences, in order to further protect the victims, consideration should be given to the introduction of a National Service Level requirement to ensure that all convictions for domestic related matters are updated on the relevant IT systems within 24 hours. This move would align the process to that of other high risk groups.

Northwest Ambulance Service Trust To review their policy/procedure/training in respect of directing members of the public to examine patients in situations such as the one subject of this review, to ensure that consideration is given to the vulnerability of the person being directed.

Findings of the report are fed back into the Professional Nursing Forum and AHP forums to support learning across all the services and recognition of the good practices identified

The Ambulance Service review the risk assessment process undertaken in respect of their attendance at incidents, to establish whether it achieves the correct balance between the safety of their staff and the needs and welfare of the patient.

Lancashire Constabulary To review the advice given, in this incident, for the perpetrator to return to the crime scene and establish whether this incident is an isolated mistake or highlights a general training issue in respect of Call Takers and Radio Operators.

Reduce the incidence of loss / destruction of patient held records by reiterating verbally and in writing to each patient how patient held records are cared for and retained.