Southampton review

That Hampshire Constabulary as a matter of urgency implement the further training identified by the Child Abuse HMICFRS report for the Quality Assurance coordinators (QA’s) relating to the DASH. The Panel would suggest that either subject matter experts are used to undertake the quality assurance process itself, or if Hampshire Constabulary decide to continue using internal staff as subject matter experts that a process of assessment and a means of demonstrating competence in the role should be evidenced as a condition of taking that role. This could be achieved by training a cohort of QAs by a subject matter expert using a case study completed by the candidates to be assessed and marked using a model pro forma. Graduation to a QA role will be dependent upon completing that case study to a satisfactory standard.

That all assessment documents completed by student officers with implications for the safety of adults at risk or children be either completed or quality checked by an experienced officer.

That practice in completing DASH by officers be regularly scrutinised by the dip sampling of completed DASHs as part of supervision and appraisal.

Hampshire Constabulary assure Southampton Safe City Partnership that their provision of interpreters for victims and suspects for whom English is not their first language is fit for purpose.

That Hampshire NPS review the knowledge and awareness of its frontline staff in the dynamics of Domestic Abuse, focussing particularly on identifying and managing ‘Coercive and Controlling’ Behaviour, and the dynamic risk factors that indicate risk to victims. And that it provides learning opportunities for front line staff -particularly those involved in the assessment process both in the community and in custodial settings - those writing PSR’s, assessment reports for Parole, Conditional Release etc to identify risk to victims from perpetrators as outlined in P12 HMPPS Domestic Abuse Policy Framework 2020.

The failure of the victim’s employer to allow her colleagues and line manager to be interviewed by the Review is of concern. As a significant employer in the Southampton area, they have a relationship with the Local Authority. The Review recommends that the relevant business support departments in the City Council encourage all employers with whom they have a working relationship to adopt a Domestic Abuse Policy for their employees. In line with the best practice identified in the Department of Business, Energy, and Industry ‘Workplace Support for Victims of Domestic Abuse’ 2021. All Employers can be directed to the Employers Initiative on Domestic Abuse who provide at no cost advice and guidance on establishing a Domestic Abuse Policy and how to practically support staff facing these issues.

The Home Office share this DHR with the Ministry of Justice in light of information available at Bail hearings as our understanding is the file size for Body Worn Camera footage cannot be currently accommodated in the Courts IT system.