Somerset review

Reinforce the need for professionals to proactively consider Care Needs, Safeguarding and Mental Capacity in their deliberations in respect of abusive relationships.

Improve the effectiveness of information sharing across the partnership.

Empower professionals to recognize, respond and report Domestic Abuse, encouraging professional curiosity through an ‘open mind’ and ‘investigative mindset’.

Reinforce the need for effective use of the DASH risk assessment tool

Strengthen professionals understanding of the effect on risk of victims who suffer from substance misuse and mental health issues.

To strengthen the Partnership approach to Domestic Abuse risk management. Including a review of the local Marac, ensuring GP involvement, policies in respect of repeat occurrences and enhancing the application of tactical options to combat multiple risks, including suicidal ideation.

To systemise the approach to vulnerable adults who don’t meet the threshold for MARAC and/or Safeguarding when dealing with complex individuals who present multiple vulnerability factors, taking into account guidance in respect of “What to do if it’s not Safeguarding”, the “Missing and Vulnerable to Exploitation Panel” and in so doing determine the role of ‘One Teams’.

To address the potential barriers identified in this review to victims of Domestic Abuse face in seeking support from agencies. This includes training to reduce gender bias by professionals.

To raise awareness across the ‘Safety Net’ of community organisations of where to seek support in respect of Domestic Abuse.

Guidance on ‘Situational violence’ to be added to current DA procedural guidance; to include information on screening techniques (February 2018)

The Force should take further steps to raise awareness of male victims of DA and also make officers aware of their own possible unconscious biases in circumstances involving male victims. The force should also undertake checking and testing to see whether male victims of DA are currently receiving expected standards of service by the Force. (April 2018)

Enhanced Information sharing by auditing referral routes and ensuring Social Care Representation at MARAC

Disseminate learning from DHR across Adult Social Care.

Understand the availability of domestic abuse support resources for males in Somerset and disseminate this to Safeguarding and locality teams

Ensure that staff complete fuller case notes to fully demonstrate the action they are taking and why.

When CMHT’s receive referrals from SDAS, to contact referrer to discuss whether joint assessment with SDAS could be offered.

During Court Assessment and Advice Service (CAAS) assessment when it becomes apparent that there is a victim of domestic abuse perpetrated by the client they are assessing, for CAAS to check with Police that the victim (who CAAS would not have contact with) has had an ACPO DASH completed and been referred to domestic abuse support services as applicable.

Reiterate to CAAS in all instances where domestic abuse is suspected during CAAS assessment/contact, and/or Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) contact, staff to offer to undertake DASH with patient if patient is suspected victim of domestic abuse. If DASH declined by patient, CAAS/MIU to give contact details for domestic abuse support services.

Encourage all staff working in acute settings to be familiar with the Dual Diagnosis Policy and to attend Dual Diagnosis training as applicable.

SDAS staff to consider using the DASH form as a risk assessment tool as well as a referral tool and to explain to clients that completion of a DASH form does not have to automatically trigger a referral into SIDAS but can be used simply to indicate risk level and for further discussion with the client.

Reiterate message within Emergency Department (ED) regarding substance misuse as indicator of increase risk of vulnerability alongside recognising victims of domestic abuse in male patients and following correct processes associated with this.

Re-emphasize need for professional curiosity particularly when patient flagged as domestic abuse victim and presents with assault injuries to ED.

Think family approach to be embedded in ED and safeguarding training across TST, professional curiosity when aggressive behaviour demonstrated and flag on system re MARAC.

Review how MARAC related information is recorded by safeguarding service on MAXIMS /EPRO to be most useful / available to staff to access.

Diary sheets will be reviewed in conjunction with other diary sheets/ incidents to enable a holistic view of the case.

To address the learning and development opportunities provided by the review.