About this page. This page summarises a Domestic Homicide Review published in the Home Office DHR Library. The full report is available at the source link below. Victim and perpetrator names are not included in extracted summaries on this page.

Source · Domestic Homicide Review

Sheffield review

CSP: Sheffield Published: September 2023 Year of death: 2014 Extracted: 20 recs

Statutory domestic homicide review under section 9 of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004. Source: Home Office DHR Library.

View full report (PDF) ↗ Source: Home Office DHR Library

Summary

The review highlights the victim's extreme isolation, significant communication barriers due to language and culture, and challenges in identifying domestic abuse within a refugee family context. It identifies missed opportunities for inter-agency information sharing, inconsistent service engagement, and a need for enhanced cultural competence and routine domestic abuse inquiry across agencies.

Extracted recommendations

20 recommendations pulled from the report

#	Recommendation	Addressed to
1	South Yorkshire Police to ensure that all officers and staff are aware of the importance of recording all information received from members of the public, including third party information, in relation to domestic abuse incidents, and that this information is shared with other agencies as appropriate, and that this information is used to inform risk assessments.	South Yorkshire Police
10	Sheffield City Council (Children, Young People and Families) to ensure that the new Family Common Assessment Framework (FCAF) is fully embedded across all universal agencies, and that there is clear ownership and understanding of the FCAF process.	Sheffield City Council
11	Sheffield City Council (Children, Young People and Families) to review its policies and procedures to ensure that staff are able to identify when contact with one parent may be being ‘blocked’ by the other, and to consider that this may be part of a wider picture of neglect and abuse, triggering appropriate referral.	Sheffield City Council
12	The Sheffield Domestic Abuse Strategic Board to review the apparent duplication of activity when a number of agencies are engaged with a vulnerable family, and considers how to improve multi-agency coordination and information sharing, particularly for asylum seeker and refugee families.	Sheffield Domestic Abuse Strategic Board
13	That all agencies review their procedures for managing cases where vulnerable families disengage from services or state an intention to move, to ensure that active steps are taken to verify plans, notify other services, and cross-reference information to identify any safeguarding concerns.	All Agencies
14	NHS England to commission a review of GP practices' follow-up procedures for missed appointments, particularly for vulnerable patients, and considers how to ensure that non-attendance for immunisations or other critical health appointments triggers appropriate multi-agency follow-up.	NHS England
15	Sheffield Clinical Commissioning Group (SCCCG) to ensure that all GP practices are aware of the importance of checking immunisation status in all paediatric consultations and advising about immunisations.	Sheffield Clinical Commissioning Group
16	Sheffield City Council (Education Services) to ensure that there is a clear and effective handover of records between schools when children transfer, particularly for those with identified welfare or attendance concerns.	Sheffield City Council
17	Sheffield City Council (Education Services) to review its communication strategies with families where English is not a first language, ensuring appropriate use of interpreters and culturally sensitive engagement methods, especially when discussing sensitive issues or safeguarding concerns.	Sheffield City Council
18	Sheffield City Council (Housing Solutions) to review its decision-making processes regarding intentional homelessness, to ensure sufficient investigation into the reasons for non-payment of rent and tenancy failure, and to consider the implications for safeguarding referrals.	Sheffield City Council
19	The Sheffield Safeguarding Children Board (SSCB) and Sheffield Domestic Abuse Strategic Board (DASB) to collaborate to develop and disseminate guidance for all agencies on identifying and responding to child neglect that may be associated with domestic abuse, particularly in refugee and asylum seeker families.	Sheffield Safeguarding Children Board \| Sheffield Domestic Abuse Strategic Board
2	Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to ensure that all staff involved in the care of pregnant women and new mothers are aware of the importance of routine domestic abuse inquiry, and that this is recorded in the patient’s notes, and that appropriate action is taken where domestic abuse is disclosed or suspected, and that this information is shared with other agencies as appropriate.	Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
20	That all agencies ensure that administrative issues, such as ensuring letters are processed and follow-up calls are made, are addressed and monitored to improve practice and inter-agency communication.	All Agencies
3	Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust to ensure that all health visitors and school nurses are aware of the importance of routine domestic abuse inquiry, and that this is recorded in the patient’s notes, and that appropriate action is taken where domestic abuse is disclosed or suspected, and that this information is shared with other agencies as appropriate.	Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust
4	Sheffield City Council (Children, Young People and Families) to ensure that all MAST workers are aware of the importance of a whole family approach to assessment and intervention, and that this is consistently applied in practice, and that all identified needs of the family are addressed, and that appropriate referrals are made to other agencies as required.	Sheffield City Council
5	Sheffield City Council (Housing Services) to ensure that all housing staff are aware of the importance of routine domestic abuse inquiry, and that this is recorded in the patient’s notes, and that appropriate action is taken where domestic abuse is disclosed or suspected, and that this information is shared with other agencies as appropriate.	Sheffield City Council
6	Metropolitan Housing to ensure that all staff are aware of the importance of routine domestic abuse inquiry, and that this is recorded in the patient’s notes, and that appropriate action is taken where domestic abuse is disclosed or suspected, and that this information is shared with other agencies as appropriate.	Metropolitan Housing
7	That all agencies working with asylum seekers and refugees ensure that staff receive training in cultural competence, with a particular focus on understanding the specific needs and vulnerabilities of women from Bidoon communities.	All Agencies
8	That all agencies working with asylum seekers and refugees ensure that staff are trained in the use of female interpreters for sensitive discussions, and that a clear policy is in place to ensure the availability and use of female interpreters.	All Agencies
9	That all agencies working with asylum seekers and refugees develop a clear, scripted approach to domestic abuse inquiry, which is culturally sensitive and takes into account potential barriers to disclosure, such as fear of deportation or shame.	All Agencies
Recommendations extracted from the published report. Source: Home Office DHR Library. View full report ↗