Somerset review

Review of MARAC policy to include ‘when agencies become aware there has been a MARAC in another area, enquiries are to be made for a referral to be made to Somerset MARAC’. Once amended a clear procedure and training is to be offered to partner agencies.

Education Safeguarding to become integral partners of MARAC and share actions and information with schools to support the safety and action plans for victims.

Domestic abuse to be stand-alone training for all members of educational staff to understand behaviours, complexities surrounding domestic abuse, the DASH RIC, the domestic abuse pathway, and support available within the county.

Education Safeguarding to make Somerset Council On-line Domestic Abuse Training mandatory to all staff in Somerset schools.

Schools to review the effectiveness of training in terms of impact, partnership working, referrals and safeguarding.

Domestic abuse is to be included within Educations Annual Safeguarding Audit.

Education Safeguarding to attend the Domestic Abuse Board and carry out the domestic abuse Audits required.

Review the Call Handling Grading and Deployment Operational Procedure to try and identify those messages that present the greatest risk and require a prompt attendance.

To adopt and implement the college of policing guidance to responders and call takers for stalking and harassment offences. All staff within the control room to receive training and use the College of Policing question set to determine risk along with the THRIVE risk assessment principles.

Officers to ensure they offer a variety of options with regards to speaking with victims especially when there may be reluctance or a possibility of minimisation. Officers need to be proactive in seeking evidence to support the safety of victims and prosecute those using abusive behaviours.

Training offered to include local domestic abuse services and specialist male victim services promoting partnership working with the most up to date information and support.

Training to include how to identify primary victims and perpetrators when there are dual allegations.

Develop a co-ordinated and multi-agency awareness campaign and roll out to the community and professionals regarding domestic abuse and to include male victims and the impact on mental health and suicide.

LSU to increase supervisory oversight of cases through audits and dip sampling to increase consistency in decisions to contact victims of domestic abuse where a crime is recorded.

Although Open Mental Health is available to find online there needs to be positive work raise awareness in other forms ensuring those who may not have access to the internet or social media can seek information of the support available.

The Suicide Prevention Partnership Forum will ensure that a representative from the Domestic Abuse Partnership is invited to forum meetings which occur quarterly.

A representative from the Domestic Abuse Partnership (alongside other professionals within the field) are to be invited to sit on the Suicide Prevention Partnership Forum working group for the High-Risk Groups workstream when they focus on domestic abuse.

A member from the Somerset Suicide Prevention Partnership (Public Health or other relevant agency) is to be invited as a panel member for any future domestic abuse suicide reviews within Somerset.