Domestic abuse policy

7.1 WHBC will provide a named case worker from the anti-social behaviour team or the housing options team who will agree a clear action plan, setting out the steps we will take to investigate a case and what support we can offer.

7.2 We will agree a safe place to meet and a safe way of communicating so as not to put the victim at greater risk.

7.3 We will ensure that a risk assessment using the Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Honour Based Violence (DASH) Risk Identification Checklist is completed. This may be carried out by a trained member of WHBC staff or by another agency who is better placed to complete it. Where the DASH assessment meets the local authority threshold for the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC), it will be referred.

7.4 We will work with our partners to ensure that support is co-ordinated and that those affected by domestic abuse have access to the right services at the right time.

7.5 We will ensure that our frontline staff receive appropriate and on-going training necessary to safely identify, assess, refer for support, and manage cases of domestic abuse.

7.6 We will offer advice and support regarding housing options where it is unreasonable for a person to continue to occupy their home if it is probable that this will lead to domestic abuse or other violence taking place.

7.7 Where survivors wish to remain in their current home we will offer advice and guidance on how to manage changes to tenancies and can provide security measures such as additional locks, lighting or ring door bells.

7.8 We will signpost or refer to more specialist services where appropriate.

7.9 Closure of the case will be agreed with the victim unless the victim is not engaging. In this instance, any other agencies involved in the case will be notified that WHBC has closed the case.