Somerset’s Domestic Abuse System and Partnership landscape
Domestic abuse is a broad agenda. The composition of which is complex and requires continuous monitoring and improvement. From creating an environment for resilient communities that can identify all forms of domestic abuse, to taking a zero-tolerance approach, the system includes how we respond to victims, families, children and those who cause harm and how they find pathways to abuse-free lives. This involves several processes and multi-agency arrangements, as well as legal protocols and commissioning of services.
Domestic abuse forms part of the wider community safety agenda which is an ever-changing and broad area of work, dependent upon excellent partnership working and collaboration. At this time, all domestic abuse activity is undertaken and discussed under the remit of the Somerset Domestic Abuse Board, which is overseen by the Safer Somerset Partnership. Figure 2 below, presents the full community safety partnership landscape and where domestic abuse fits.
It should be noted that the domestic abuse agenda, spans into the workstream of other strategic Boards, including both Somerset’s Safeguarding Boards and the Somerset Health and Wellbeing Board. It is therefore vital, that the Domestic Abuse Board and its members, proactively work across the Partnerships. So we can effectively communicate key messages and gain participation where appropriate to deliver against this strategy and duties arising from the Domestic Abuse Act (2021)
Since the draft Statutory guidance of the Domestic Abuse Act was released, the Domestic Abuse Board has been under development and review to ensure that it meets its statutory obligations. This work is ongoing and revised Terms of Reference can be found in the Somerset Domestic Abuse Strategy 2021-2024.
