Broxbourne review

Professionals are to be reminded of the importance of holding conversations with individuals who identify as being subjected to domestic abuse, no matter what the circumstances are on presentation. These conversations are to take place in private and to be followed up if the person presenting appears to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs or suffering from a mental health crisis.

All frontline professionals within the agencies participating in this review should consider victims’ additional support needs when competing domestic abuse risk assessments. Awareness needs to be raised regarding the links between, and impacts of, substance abuse, mental health, homelessness and domestic abuse. There should be a clear process in place for professionals to use where additional support needs are identified, including where best to refer or signpost to and how to facilitate joint working between organisations supporting a victim.

The Trusts social care leads to run a learning event for the Adult Community Mental Health Team around recognising social care assessments which might be needed and when to offer Social Care Outcomes.

The Trust are to run a learning event in relation to this case with their Psychiatric team to incorporate the learnings from this review

Awareness training is to take place for all B3 Living operatives and staff having contact with tenants in their homes in relation to domestic abuse and safeguarding of adults and children.

Agencies are to review their internal and external literature and training to look at the way that victims and perpetrators of domestic abuse are portrayed, amending where there appear to be stereotypes and/or ‘myths’ around domestic abuse.

B3 Living are to make explicit in their policies and procedures the expected timeframes for attending a tenant’s home following a report. Where the tenant is known or suspected to be a victim of domestic abuse, B3 Living should ensure that the tenant is quickly and safely as possible, ensuring they are spoken to alone to allow for safe enquiry about domestic abuse.

B3 Living to join the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance to develop and improve their knowledge of, and response to, domestic abuse.

The Hertfordshire Domestic Abuse Partnership is to agree an approach to embedding trauma-informed practice within all agencies that participated in this review. Once agreed, an implementation plan is to be developed and monitored by the Board.

Hertfordshire Domestic Abuse Partnership to develop a way to manage perpetrators of domestic abuse. Alongside this, the Partnership should develop processes for identifying perpetrators, including training and guidance as required, for all agencies that have participated in this review.