Northampton review

Reminder to GPs regarding parental mental health issues and how an adult’s mental wellbeing will affect family life.

Review of safeguarding training to draw in learning from this case regarding Mental Health concerns and how that may influence domestic abuse.

The GP leads for safeguarding will receive specific domestic abuse training as part of their annual safeguarding training update commissioned by the CCG/NHS England.

To develop an educational publicity campaign within the workplace defining domestic abuse, its known frequency and the statistics that show that it will be affecting the lives of their work colleagues.

To consider the development of a formal and confidential / anonymous reporting process allowing employees to submit concerns they may have about domestic abuse happening to a colleague.

These recommendations should be considered to bring the ‘hidden crime’ of domestic abuse out into the domain of the workplace to promote confidence in reporting and that the organisation will act positively to the reports.

Greater consideration should be given to the placement of officers/staff on restricted or ‘light duties’ taking account of their circumstances, the number allocated to a department and the additional stresses that can be caused to line managers.

This recommendation is suggested in order to reduce the impact on those that have to manage the individuals and to prevent or reduce the automatic placement of personnel into departments that can take place without knowledge of wider implications.

More direct sharing of plans and information for individuals between occupational health services, GPs and mental health should be promoted – immediately.

Community Safety Partnership to consider providing advice to local employers about the possible consequences of stress at work for family relationships including the possibility of domestic abuse.

Community Safety Partnership to link in with Countywide Strategic IPV Board in order to develop approaches in raising awareness and educating communities on controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship which causes someone to fear that violence will be used against them.

DHR Overview Report to be shared with other relevant local partnerships – Adult Safeguarding Board and the Health and Well-Being Board. Dates of meetings to be confirmed – within 3 months.