Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Public Health & Equality

Forward Plan Ref: 2022/043

Contact:Rosie Winyard, Interim Senior Public Health Principle, 07564055880

Report by Corporate Director for Public Health & Wellbeing (CA14).

Cabinet approval is sought for: permission to commence a procurement exercise for accomodation and support services for adults and children affected by domestic abuse and; provide a support service for perpatrators to reduce associated harms in line with the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.

Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to

a)              Agree the proposed commencement of a procurement exercise for Oxfordshire domestic abuse services, including IDVA (Independent Domestic Violence Advocates) and Perpetrator provision in 2022.

b)              Agree the progress of the statutory duties set out in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, including the Needs Assessment and Overarching Domestic Abuse Strategy 2022

Recommendations agreed

Cabinet considered a report highlighting the intention to commission Oxfordshire Domestic Abuse services in time for a contract start date of April 2023.  These include provision for safe accommodation and support, specialist support from the IDVA service and Perpetrator support services to assist in the prevention and reduction of harm for individuals and their children affected by domestic abuse.

Councillor Mark Lygo, Cabinet Member for Public Health & Equality, introduced the report on behalf of all the partners across the county that have worked together on its creation.  The strategy was built on four pillars: prevention, provision, pursuing and partnership.  A Lived Experience Advisory Group will work with lived experience consultants to enable a co-production approach.  Councillor Lygo thanked the officers who worked on the strategy and Members whose feedback helped shape it.

Cabinet Members made the following observations:

·       Domestic abuse was a major factor in bringing children into care.

·       There was a need to look at how schools deal with behaviour issues.

·       The focus on helping abusers to change their behaviour was very welcome.

·       Domestic abuse occurs in all communities and the involvement of the district and city councils, the NHS and Police in this strategy was very welcome.

The recommendations were proposed by Councillor Lygo, seconded by Councillor Enright and agreed

RESOLVED to:

a)                      Agree the proposed commencement of a procurement exercise for Oxfordshire domestic abuse services, including IDVA (Independent Domestic Violence Advocates) and Perpetrator provision in 2022.

b)                      Agree the progress of the statutory duties set out in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, including the Needs Assessment and Overarching Domestic Abuse Strategy 2022