Devon Sanctuary Scheme Protocol Final version January 2014

Agreed for circulation January 2014

1. Introduction 1.1

The Devon Sanctuary Scheme is a victim centred initiative which aims to make it possible for victims of domestic violence and abuse to remain in their homes and feel safe, rather than being forced to relocate to other areas away from family networks, employment and schooling. This protocol updates the previous protocol published in November 2008, and sets out how victims of domestic violence and abuse can access the sanctuary scheme; the responsibilities of partner agencies and the process to enable additional security measures to be installed in the victim’s home.

2. Aims of the protocol 2.1

To enable victims of domestic violence and abuse, and their dependant family members, to feel safe and remain in their own homes.

2.2

To prevent homelessness wherever possible in cases of domestic violence and abuse

2.3

To minimise the use of emergency bed and breakfast accommodation

2.4

To reduce the percentage of domestic violence crimes that result in serious assault, rape, sexual assault, attempted murder or murder.

3. What is Sanctuary 3.1

The Sanctuary scheme is a victim centred initiative offering support to improve personal safety and prevent potential homelessness. The scheme is designed to enable victims of domestic violence and abuse to remain in their own accommodation, where it is safe for them to do so, where it is their choice and where the perpetrator does not live in the accommodation.

3.2

Each sanctuary scheme is tailored to accommodate the needs and circumstances of the individuals involved. This may include the creation of a safe room within the home, where a door to one of the rooms, usually the main bedroom, is replaced with a solid core door and reversed to open outwards. Two mortice bolts are fitted to the inside door; one at the top and one at the bottom, along with three large steel hinges, hinge bolts and a 180 degree door viewer. A mobile phone, where available, will be considered for provision in a safe room. This provides a safe room for victims to call for, and await the arrival of the Police. Other security improvements will be focused on protecting the wider aspects of the home (not outside space) and include a range of options such as window and door locks, door spy –holes, window bars/screens, panic alarms and fire safety equipment including smoke detectors, fire-proof letter box and break glass hammers.

4. Eligibility 4.1

The scheme is available free of charge to victims of domestic violence and abuse, irrespective of housing tenure, providing the following criteria are met: 

the victim would be likely to become homeless without assistance and would be unable to remain in the property without risk of harm



the victim has been assessed as high risk, in accordance with MARAC criteria (either using ACPO or CAADA DASH risk assessment)

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4.2



the perpetrator is no longer occupying the property and has no legal right to occupy it



the landlord gives consent

Under Section 177 of the Housing Act 1996, as amended by the Homelessness Act 2002, a local authority has the responsibility to assess whether it is reasonable for a person to continue to occupy accommodation. The Act states that is not reasonable for a person to continue to occupy accommodation if it is probable that this will lead to domestic violence, or other violence against them, or against: a) a person who normally resides with them as a member of their family, or b) any person who might reasonably be expected to reside with them.

4.3

Under section 179 of the Housing Act1996, a local authority has a duty to provide advice and information about homelessness and the prevention of homelessness. Therefore, a local authority will always offer free advice to all victims about the housing options available to them

5. Referral Process 5.1

The most important first response is to ensure the victim is safe whilst sanctuary measures are considered. Emergency temporary accommodation may need to be provided, depending on circumstances. A Sanctuary scheme work flow diagram is attached at Appendix 1. This might vary slightly between local authorities, but the Local Authority single point of contact (LA SPOC) will advise on this. The LA SPOCs are listed at Appendix 2 The key principles remain the same and are detailed below: 

The Police crime prevention officer (CPO), having received a referral via the Police DV Unit, will contact the victim as expeditiously as appropriate or within 7 days at the latest, to carry out a security survey and determine recommendations as to what sanctuary measures are needed. The CPO will liaise with the Fire and Rescue service as required, and confirm that all security recommendations are appropriate and comply with Fire Safety Regulations. Police DV Unit contacts are listed at Appendix 3 and Police guidance notes for the CPO are attached at Appendix 4.



The CPO will contact the LA SPOC within the Housing Options team (as identified in Appendix 2) and provide a risk report (template attached at Appendix 5) with prioritised recommendations as soon as possible or within 3 working days at latest.



The LA SPOC will then take responsibility for liaising with the landlord/owner of the property to gain approval for the works to be carried out, as expeditiously as appropriate or within 7 days at the latest. NB. Registered Providers (eg housing associations and councils with their own stock) are likely to carry out this work themselves.



Once approved by the landlord/owner, the LA SPOC will authorise the work, subject to budget, and place an order for the work with an approved contractor, as soon as possible, or within 3 working days

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

The approved contractor will be contracted to complete the sanctuary recommendations as soon as possible, or within 7 working days, and subsequently invoice the local authority



The LA SPOC will notify the DV Unit that the work is complete within 3 working days



The Police will update their relevant computer systems to ensure that frontline officers are aware that a safe room has been installed as expeditiously as appropriate



The LA SPOC will send the feedback letter and questionnaire (template attached at Appendix 6) to every Sanctuary scheme recipient, within 14 days of completion of the works, and include a stamped addressed envelope, to be returned to the LA SPOC. This information will contribute to the annual monitoring data.

6. Funding 6.1

Funding arrangements will be determined on a case by case basis. Sources of funding may include: 

Local Authority Homelessness Prevention Fund



Community Safety Partnership



Registered Social Landlord

7. Monitoring and Review 7.1

The Devon Housing Options Partnership will monitor the following performance measures on half yearly basis; 1. Total number of sanctuary schemes undertaken, the cost of each scheme and the number of adults and children living in the home secured 2. Total number of homeless acceptances, the number of these who have been victim of domestic abuse and the number of children within the domestic abuse cases. 3. Victim satisfaction will be considered on an annual basis, from victim feedback information.

7.2

This protocol will be reviewed annually, at the start of each calendar year jointly by Devon and Cornwall Police crime prevention team leader (Local Policing and Partnership Department) and Devon Housing Options Partnership manager

7.3

Concerns or issues relating to this protocol should be referred to: 



Devon and Cornwall Police (LPP Dept) – if it relates to a Police responsibility. Currently : Bob Bunney OR Devon Housing Options Partnership manager – if it refers to a Local Authority responsibility Currently : Alison Mawson

Concerns or issues will be dealt with in accordance with the appropriate organisation’s procedure and to a timescale set out in that procedure, or may be dealt with jointly, if appropriate.

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Sanctuary scheme - work flow diagram

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Appendix 1

Local Authority single points of contact Local Authority

Appendix 2

Single point of contact

East Devon DC

Name: Danielle Furzey Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01395 517469

Exeter CC

Name: Chris Stocks Email: [email protected] gov.uk Telephone: 01392 265743

Mid Devon DC

Name: Tim Fairhead Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01884 234353

North Devon DC

Name: Kim Willows Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01271 388442

Plymouth CC

Name: Matt Garrett (provisional) Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01752 306733

South Hams DC

Name: : Elizabeth Edgecombe Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01803 861107

Teignbridge DC

Name: Hannah Coombes Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01626 215347

Torbay Council

Name: Sue Churchill Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01803 208724

Torridge DC

Name: : Irene Bennett Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01237 428840

West Devon BC

Name: Naomi Carr or Isabel Blake Email:[email protected] or [email protected] Telephone: 01822 813553 or 01822 813551

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Police DV Unit contacts Police DV Unit

Appendix 3 Single point of contact

East Devon

Name: DS Pippa MOORE Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01392-262205 ext.2005

Exeter LPA

Name: Rosemary EDGINGTON Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01392-262218 ext. 2018 Name: DS Pippa MOORE Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01392-262205 ext.2005

Mid Devon

Name: Rosemary EDGINGTON Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01392-262218 ext. 2018 Name: DS Pippa MOORE Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01392-262205 ext.2005

Teignbridge & South Hams

Name: Rosemary EDGINGTON Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01392-262218 ext. 2018 Name: DS 3234 Malcolm CORLETT Telephone: 01271 313402 ext 81602 Email:[email protected] Name: Jean Bell Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01271 335380 internal 81380 Name: DS 3715 Dave Hocking Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01752 720423 Administrator: Lesley Miles [email protected] 01752 720420 Name: Kevin McCann (Administrator) Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01364 655008

Torbay

Name: DS James STOCK Email: [email protected] Telephone: Internal 41594 – external; 01803 218094

North Devon & Torridge

Plymouth

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Torbay (cont’d)

West Devon

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Name: Sharon Payne (Administrator) Email: [email protected] Telephone: Extension 41574 Name: As for Teignbridge & South Hams above Email: Telephone:

Police Crime Prevention Team Guidance

Appendix 4

High Risk Vulnerable Persons Security Survey The primary aim of ‘sanctuary’ is to reduce the risk of harm against the person and thereby reduce the volume of domestic violence crimes that result in serious assault, rape, sexual assaults, attempted murder and murder. Sanctuary is a victim centred scheme and provides help to victims of domestic violence and abuse to feel safe and secure where they choose to remain in their place of residence, by improving the security with professionally assessed and installed security measures. Every ‘sanctuary’ is tailored to meet the needs and circumstances of the individual(s) involved and, when appropriate, can provide the ultimate security upgrade with the installation of a ‘safe room’. All persons living within Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly who may become subject of domestic violence and abuse will be considered for the scheme subject to prevailing conditions and criteria. Sanctuary schemes work in accordance with a set procedure which in principle is:      

Referral is made Risk assessment is completed Suitability of person(s) confirmed for process All referrals will be assessed by MARAC MARAC confirms priority level and required response(s) A ‘HIGH’ risk priority, in accordance with ACPO DASH or CAADA DASH standards, will result in the completion of a security survey by Police CPO  The security survey will completed at the earliest opportunity but in any event within seven (7) days subject to prevailing circumstances.  The Police Crime Prevention Officer (CPO) will give consideration to all relevant risk factors, including compliance with fire safety in liaison with the Fire Service, to determine whether it is appropriate and safe for the person(s) to remain in the premises subject of survey even if security work is completed.  The Police CPO will complete the Police ‘Risk reduction Recommendation Form’ and submit to the Local Authority Single Point of Contact (SPOC) and will be available to discuss the content of their reports should it be necessary.  Police CPO staff WILL NOT discuss the financial implications of their reports.  Police CPO staff WILL NOT engage with victims other than to complete the Risk Reduction Security Survey but may ‘signpost’ to other appropriate support services.  Police CPO staff will ensure that the relevant police computer systems are updated to alert the installation of a ‘safe room’ for the awareness of law enforcement agencies and other services in the event a response to the residence is later required. The responsibility for the completion, funding, and quality assurance of the recommended security improvements is that of the Local Authority.

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Police Risk Reduction Recommendation form

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Appendix 5

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Template – feed back letter and questionnaire

Appendix 6

LA logo and address Date Unique reference:

Dear Sanctuary Scheme Evaluation According to our records you have recently benefited from additional security works to your property under the Sanctuary scheme. The scheme aims to allow victims of domestic violence to feel safer and able to remain in their home, rather than flee. It is really important to us to know how the Sanctuary scheme has affected you, your family and your quality of life. As such, we ask that you take a few minutes to complete the enclosed evaluation form to tell us your views of the service you received. This will allow us to make any changes to the scheme as necessary, review the success of the scheme and promote it more widely based on its successes. Please be re-assured that the information you provide to us is completely confidential, as your name and address is not required – you are only identified to us via a reference number. Your comments will help us make the service better. Many thanks for your time – we really appreciate your views Yours sincerely

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Devon Sanctuary scheme evaluation form (to accompany the evaluation letter) Unique Reference (on letter) : 1. How satisfied are you with the security improvements to your home? Answer = very satisfied / satisfied / dissatisfied / very dissatisfied (please circle one answer) Space for comments onreasons why dissatisfied If dissatisfied, please give :

2. Did the contractor leave your home clean and tidy? Answer = Yes / No Please give reasons for your answer:

3. How safe did you feel BEFORE your security improvements? Answer = very safe / safe / unsafe / very unsafe (please circle one answer) If you felt unsafe BEFORE the security improvements were installed, please state why:

4. How safe do you feel NOW that you have upgraded security? Answer = very safe / safe / unsafe / very unsafe (please circle one answer) If you feel unsafe AFTER the security improvements have been installed, please state why:

5a. Did you receive a visit from a police crime prevention officer? Answer = Yes / No 5b. If YES, were you very satisfied / satisfied / dissatisfied / very dissatisfied (please circle one answer) If dissatisfied, please give your reason(s):

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Glossary IDVA

-

Independent Domestic Violence Advisor

DVO

-

Domestic Violence Officer

SPOC

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Single Point of Contact

CPO

-

Crime Prevention Officer (Police)

HOM

-

Housing Options Manager

CSO

-

Community Safety Officer (Local Authority)

DASH

-

Domestic abuse, stalking and honour based violence risk assessment

ACPO

-

Association of Chief Police Officers

MARAC

-

Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conferencing

References: Cornwall Council Sanctuary Housing Act 1996 Homelessness Act 2002

Approved by Devon Housing Options Partnership membership October 2013 Approved by Devon and Cornwall Police November 2013 by Commander LPP, HQ Middlemoor

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