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

Cheshire West and Chester review

CSP: Cheshire West and Chester Published: February 2024 Year of death: 2020 Extracted: 17 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 identified a lack of holistic understanding and interagency information sharing regarding the victim's alcohol and mental health issues in the context of domestic abuse. Agencies often failed to recognise the full extent of coercive control and its impact on the victim's behaviours.

Extracted recommendations

17 recommendations pulled from the report

#	Recommendation	Addressed to
13.1	Within 6 months, in light of this review conduct a review of policies and procedures relating to domestic abuse and ensure the lessons are implemented.	All agencies
13.10a	Within 6 months, training needs analysis for domestic abuse is to be completed.	The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
13.10b	Within 6 months, learning from this review is shared with Countess of Chester Hospital Staff.	The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
13.12a	Within 6 months Police to ensure a robust response to non-intimate domestic abuse that reduces risk.	Cheshire Constabulary
13.12b	Within 6 months, review and consider any referral pathways for perpetrators, cascading the information to front-line officers.	Cheshire Constabulary
13.12c	With immediate effect, it is critical that MARAC information is available on police systems to inform safeguarding.	Cheshire Constabulary
13.2a	Within 6 months, review all internal domestic abuse training and education programmes to incorporate the learning from this DHR, specifically highlighting the impact of alcohol and mental health within domestic abuse relationships.	All agencies
13.2b	Within 1 month, agencies to work in partnership with each other and be aware of the need to take a holistic approach to domestic abuse.	All agencies
13.2c	Within 1 month, services share information and communicate effectively within the guidelines available.	All agencies
13.4a	Within 6 months, develop a bespoke domestic abuse training package to be delivered to the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service by Cheshire West Domestic Abuse Intervention and Prevention Service.	Cheshire & Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
13.4b	Currently, domestic violence and abuse training form part of the level three safeguarding training. Within 3 months consider whether a stand-alone domestic abuse training programme is required for all clinical staff across the trust.	Cheshire & Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
13.4c	With immediate effect, the CWP staff will take appropriate action when a disclosure is made.	Cheshire & Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
13.4d	Within 6 months, ensure a process whereby MARAC alerts are added to PCMIS systems if service users are heard at MARAC.	Cheshire & Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
13.6a	Within 3 months, ensure practitioners in GP practices are trained to approach domestic abuse with professional curiosity.	NHS Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group
13.6b	Within 3 months, where high-risk domestic abuse is identified, General Practitioners are aware of the need to complete a referral, regardless of other agencies involved. They must inform the client when a MARAC referral is made. For lower risk, referrals with consent can be made to support services.	NHS Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group
13.6c	Within 3 months, General Practitioners are to be made aware of the need for information sharing with other services e.g., Alcohol and Mental Health Services.	NHS Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group
13.8	With immediate effect, ensure that staff are aware that where possible contact is made with victims directly and not through a 3rd party.	Adult Social Care
Recommendations extracted from the published report. Source: Home Office DHR Library. View full report ↗