POLICIES AND PROCEDURES INDEPENDENT DOMESTIC ABUSE SERVICES FAIR ACCESS / FAIR EXIT ADULT SERVICES

Transcription

1 POLICIES AND PROCEDURES INDEPENDENT DOMESTIC ABUSE SERVICES FAIR ACCESS / FAIR EXIT ADULT SERVICES Purpose To set out the approach of Independent Domestic Abuse Services (IDAS) in relation to ensuring fair access and exit from our services, encompassing the principles of inclusion and equity. Our commitment includes acting within the law and ensuring our clients are informed about their rights and responsibilities. Related Policies & Procedures All policies and procedures. Introduction This document contains a policy statement (Part One) and procedural guidance (Part Two). The functions of each are set out briefly below. Part One Policy Statement. The policy statement sets out the broad framework of principles within which the particular area of work will be carried out. It sets out the organisation s broad style and approach to the issue, including any aims and guiding principles. Part Two Procedural Guidance. The procedural guidance sets out details that staff will require to carry out their duties in this particular area of work. It also sets out the specific tasks involved in undertaking this area of work and identifies who is responsible for carrying them out. Policy Statement 1. IDAS believes that domestic abuse is the abuse of power in close or intimate relationships. It takes many forms including physical, sexual, financial, psychological, verbal and emotional exploitation. It may be accompanied by other kinds of intimidation such as coercion, humiliation, deprivation, systematic criticism and belittling. Domestic abuse can affect anyone and IDAS maintains a commitment to having a tailored approach to supporting victims and survivors. 2. IDAS is committed to providing services and support that meet the needs of all those experiencing domestic abuse and / or sexual violence and that are of a consistently high standard. 3. IDAS is committed to proactive multi-agency working and operates in an open and accountable manner taking account of the views of stakeholders in the development and delivery of services. 4. IDAS is committed to striving for equality in the provision of its services and the employment of the staff, volunteers and Board of Trustees who provide these services and contribute to the organisation. 1

2 5. IDAS recognises that certain groups in society continue to be discriminated against. Our practices, however, will seek to ensure that no-one is discriminated against on any grounds including their gender, race, religion, age, ability, culture, class, ethnicity, employment, education, sexual orientation or spirituality. 6. IDAS is committed to the aims and standards of Women s Aid Federation of England in relation to its provision of refuge services. Procedural Guidance Information 1. We publicise our services as widely as possible in the areas in which we work. 2. We have developed an accessible web-site that provides on-line information and advice and acts as a referral source. 3. We work with all relevant agencies and attend relevant forums to ensure that referrers have a clear understanding of our services and can relay information to their clients. 4. We actively participate in all local equalities forums. 5. We seek new ways to publicise our services and provide information in a range of languages. 6. Our case management system, OASIS, enables recording and reporting of diversity information, to inform and enable review of our service provision. Refuge Accommodation Accessing the service IDAS operates two refuges in York and Harrogate offering space to a total of 18 women and their children. In addition, we work in partnership with Broadacres Housing Association in the delivery of Northallerton refuge, providing space to 14 families. The Scarborough refuge is currently in development and will enable space for 10 families. The refuges provide emergency accommodation for up to a maximum of two years and all have rooms which are fully accessible. Eligibility Each client: 1. Must be a woman with or without children who is escaping domestic abuse. 2. Must be willing to engage in support. 3. Must be able to live independently. 4. Must be able to occupy the refuge safely. Exclusions 1. Male victims (aged 16+) escaping domestic abuse cannot be offered accommodation in either of our refuges due to the communal nature of the accommodation. Where we receive a referral for a man who is escaping domestic abuse we will work with appropriate external agencies to find accommodation and offer him support via our outreach services.

3 An individual may be refused accommodation if: 2. She has a history of violence, arson, drug or alcohol misuse and/or there is a perceived risk to the health and safety of support workers or other residents, 3. The type or degree of required intervention is assessed as being incompatible with the funding criteria, skills or capacity of the service. 4. She does not have recourse to public funds and we are unable to identify additional funding to meet her accommodation and living costs. Where we cannot accommodate a woman / family we will work with her and / or the referring agency to find appropriate accommodation. This can include sign-posting or where the woman is a self-referral identifying accommodation through refuges online or the local housing department. Funding 1. The cost of support is normally covered by the Local Authority. 2. The cost of accommodation is met either by the individual s salary or through housing benefit. 3. Ineligible charges are met by the individual (usually referred to as a standing charge). Assessment & Allocation 1. We advertise vacancies via refuges on-line and through local housing agencies. 2. We accept applications for accommodation from women and agencies working on a woman s behalf, including housing, the police, social services and other refuges. 3. Applications are assessed following the completion of a referral form and risk assessment. The referral form is completed directly with the women needing the service and the agency that has referred her. 4. Where a risk assessment identifies potential serious risks to other clients, staff members or the project, the woman may be refused accommodation. Where this is the case we will give her a full explanation and work to find her alternative accommodation and appropriate support. 5. Where a woman is refused accommodation she has the right to appeal this decision. This will be explained to her or the agency working on her behalf. The appeal process is described in more detail below. 6. Where two women apply at the same time and we have only one space we assess the following before allocating the space: o Immediate safety o Support needs o Risk factors o Disabled access requirements. 7. When the accessible facilities are vacant we will prioritise a woman and/or her children who need to occupy these facilities because of their physical disability. In the event of the accessible facilities being occupied by a woman who does not need the facilities, this woman would be moved into an alternative suitable room within the project when one becomes available. 3

4 8. When a family is accepted into the refuge they will be allocated the most appropriate room, in relation to the size and physical needs of the family. Existing residents may be required to move rooms to accommodate a new family. For example, where a single woman is occupying a family room, she will be required to move a single person s room when one becomes available. Flats within Harrogate refuge Within the refuge in Harrogate, there are two self-contained flats, one of which is designed to meet the needs of those with a physical disability. Flats will be allocated in the following ways: Accessible flat 1. Those with a physical disability will be given priority for the accessible flat and when this flat becomes vacant it will be advertised as accessible accommodation as above. 2. If the next referral we receive for the accessible flat is for a woman without physical disabilities the flat will be allocated to the most appropriate existing family or the new referral following the completion of a needs and risk assessment. The assessment will take account of: The number and ages of children in the family requiring the flat. The support needs of the children and woman. The length of time the family has been resident in communal accommodation. Non-accessible flat The non-accessible flat will be allocated following the completion of a needs and risk assessment which takes account of: The number and ages of children in the family. The support needs of the children and woman. The length of time the family has been resident in communal accommodation. Waiting list In the event of the refuge being full and where a woman requires space in our area due to local connections, we operate a waiting list. Priority will always be given to emergency referrals when we have rooms available. Licence agreement & house rules The licence agreement and house rules do the following: 1. Provide clear guidance of the rights and responsibilities of all those living in the refuge, 2. Set out what action will be taken if they are breached. 3. Clearly identify the process for clients if they wish to appeal any action that is taken because of breaches of the agreement or rules. Refuge Accommodation Exiting the service All clients are asked to complete a feedback questionnaire so that we can improve our services and evidence client s views. This includes asking how the service met the needs of women and children, whether individual and fair treatment was received and if they feel able to move on positively and independently from the refuge.

5 Resettlement services 1. Women normally leave the refuge when they are offered suitable alternative accommodation or if they choose to return to their previous property (with or without legal remedies). 2. In certain cases women are refused re-housing through the normal routes. In these cases, women will be offered assistance to find private rented accommodation or other suitable accommodation. 3. Practical assistance is offered to anyone leaving the refuge to ensure that they are able to move from the refuge to a safe and comfortable environment. 4. All those leaving the refuge are offered ongoing support as part of our resettlement services. 5. The type of support allocated under the resettlement service is negotiated with the client using an Individual Support Plan (ISP) as outlined in the Resettlement Policy. Breaches of the licence agreement & house rules 1. The licence agreement and house rules identify clearly what will happen in the event of a breach of the agreement or rules. 2. We have systems in place to address minor breaches through the support planning process and through a system of warnings. This system has been agreed in consultation with clients. 3. Eviction (notice to quit) will only be used when all other remedies have been explored. 4. In the following circumstances, breaching the licence agreement will lead to an eviction: Violent or seriously disruptive behaviour. Serious harassment of a fellow client or staff member. Criminal activity affecting the refuge or that which brings the refuge into serious disrepute. 5. Clients have the opportunity to appeal against any action brought because of breaches of the agreement or rules. This procedure is explained both in the licence agreement and in the Refuge Handbook. Emergency Accommodation Scarborough We currently offer emergency accommodation in Scarborough via self-contained houses and flats. The following applies: Eligibility Each client: 1. Must be escaping domestic abuse. 2. Must be willing to engage in support. 3. Must be able to live independently. 4. Must be able to occupy the premises safely. 5

6 Exclusions An individual may be refused accommodation if: They have a history of violence or arson and/or there is a perceived risk to the health and safety of support workers or others, The type or degree of required intervention is assessed as being incompatible with the funding criteria, skills or capacity of the service. They do not have recourse to public funds and we are unable to identify additional funding to meet her accommodation and living costs. Where we cannot accommodate we will work with the person and / or the referring agency to find appropriate accommodation. Funding The cost of support is normally covered by the Local Authority. The cost of accommodation is met either by the individual s salary or through housing benefit. Ineligible charges are met by the individual (usually referred to as a standing charge). Assessment & Allocation We advertise vacancies via refuges on-line and through local housing agencies. We accept applications for accommodation from individuals and agencies working on an individuals behalf, including housing, the police, social services and other refuges. Applications are assessed following the completion of a referral form and risk assessment. The referral form is completed directly with the person needing the service and the referral agency. Where a risk assessment identifies potential serious risks to other clients, staff members or the project, the person may be refused accommodation. Where this is the case we will give her a full explanation and work to find alternative accommodation and appropriate support. Where someone is refused accommodation they have the right to appeal this decision. This will be explained to them or the agency working on their behalf. The appeal process is described in more detail below. Where two people apply at the same time and we have only one space we assess the following before allocating the space: o Immediate safety o Support needs o Risk factors o Disabled access requirements. Rental agreement The rental agreement does the following:

7 1. Provides clear guidance of the rights and responsibilities of all those living in IDAS emergency accommodation 2. Sets out what action will be taken if they are breached. 3. Clearly identify the process for clients if they wish to appeal any action that is taken because of breaches of rental agreement. Resettlement services 1. Women normally leave the refuge when they are offered suitable alternative accommodation or if they choose to return to their previous property (with or without legal remedies). 2. In certain cases women are refused re-housing through the normal routes. In these cases, women will be offered assistance to find private rented accommodation or other suitable accommodation. 3. Practical assistance is offered to anyone leaving the refuge to ensure that they are able to move from the refuge to a safe and comfortable environment. 4. All those leaving the refuge are offered ongoing support as part of our resettlement services. 5. The type of support allocated under the resettlement service is negotiated with the client using an Individual Support Plan (ISP) as outlined in the Resettlement Policy. Community Based Services (Outreach, IDVA and ISVA) IDAS provides outreach services to all adult victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence throughout and North Yorkshire. The type of support we can provide includes advocacy, advice, emotional support and group work. This is fully described in the Outreach Policy. Eligibility Each client: 1. Must be experiencing or have experienced domestic abuse or sexual violence. 2. Must be willing and able to engage in support. 3. Must be over the age of 16 for outreach support or Gillick Competent for IDVA / ISVA services. The parents of children going through the criminal justice system can also access ISVA support where appropriate. Exclusions An individual may be refused support if: 1. The type or degree of required intervention is assessed as being incompatible with the funding criteria, skills or capacity of the service. This would for example, include someone who is seeking counselling services. 2. Where we have good reason and information to believe that the individual may be a main perpetrator of domestic abuse. 3. Where we are providing a service to the individual s partner or a close family member and this would cause a conflict of interest. 7

8 Where we cannot provide support we will work with the person to identify another appropriate agency to provide a service. This can include sign-posting or, with the person s consent, making a direct referral to an external agency. You can ask for an appeal if we do not offer you a service. This process is described at the end of this document. Funding 1. The funding for the provision of individual support is provided through the Local Authority, the police and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and is funding to provide short-term services. Assessment & Allocation 1. We accept referrals from individuals and agencies, including housing, the police, social services and other refuges. 2. Where agencies make a referral, they are required to provide details via the online or Outreach referral form or via the police 253 form. 3. Where the individual is a self-referral, the form will be completed by the worker at the point of contact. 4. Initial contact will be made / attempted with the person referred within 72 working hours of us receiving the referral. 5. When contact is made, immediate safety and support needs will be established and, in agreement with the person, actions will be taken to meet these needs. 6. Following this a full assessment will be carried out with the person. This is generally conducted at a one to one meeting and will usually be carried out within two weeks of IDAS receiving the referral. 7. A service is offered based on the individual s specific support needs. This can include one to one support, group work or the offer of being referred on to a more suitable service. 8. Where the initial assessment identifies that the victim is at serious risk of harm, the support worker may request that a MARAC be convened if the risk of harm cannot be reduced in other ways e.g. through refuge accommodation / legal remedies Waiting list 1. We operate a waiting list for long-term support where workers are unable to provide support immediately. 2. Prior to placing anyone on a waiting list a full risk assessment and safety plan will be completed with the client. 3. Where a client is on a waiting list, contact will be maintained at regular intervals with the person. 4. IDVA and ISVA services do not operate a waiting list. Community Based Services Exiting the service Ending the service in agreement with the client 1. IDAS recognises that every client is different and will need support in different ways and for varying lengths of time. 2. We use an Individual Support Plan (ISP) to provide support and we negotiate how and when support will end with the client through the ISP.

9 3. Where a client requires continued support that is outside the remit of our work we will refer them to appropriate agencies / counselling services. 4. Managers are always required to sign off case closures for high and medium risk cases. Ending the service without agreement of the client In the following circumstances it may be necessary to withdraw support and services without the agreement of the client: 1. Where it is not safe for staff members to continue to provide services and a safe alternative cannot be negotiated. 2. Where the service has been provided for two years which is the maximum length of time we are able to provide support. 3. Where the ISP identifies that the support needs of the client cannot be met through the service. 4. Where it is found that the client is a perpetrator of domestic abuse. Where we cannot continue to provide support we will work to identify and refer to the most appropriate agency that can offer a service, if this is what the client wishes. Re-engagement Many clients will need to re-engage with our services a number of times. We will never refuse services to previous clients if they meet the criteria described in this policy. General Appeals Anyone who is refused a service has the right to appeal this decision. This should be explained to applicant or the agency working on their behalf. Appeals can be made in writing and ed to info@idas.org.uk or they can be made over the telephone. Where IDAS receive an appeal, a manager (who has not been involved in the initial decision) will review the referral form, initial assessment and reasons behind the decision. She/he will then inform the applicant and referring agency of her findings and decision both verbally and in writing. This decision is final. Anyone wishing to make a complaint about the way they have been treated can do so using our Complaints Procedure. All appeals are reported to the Director and trustees. Complaints and comments 1. IDAS is committed to reviewing and improving its services based on what clients tell us. 2. All staff are fully trained in the use of the Complaints procedure. 3. All clients have easy and open access to the Complaints procedure, a copy of which is openly available in Outreach offices, bedrooms and is described in the Refuge Handbook, house rules and licence agreement. 9

10 4. The Complaints procedure is discussed and explained during house-meetings at regular intervals. 5. The Refuge staff explains the Complaints procedure as part of the induction she provides to individual residents. 6. Clients are encouraged to express their views through the residents forum, during individual support sessions and in exit / feedback questionnaires DOCUMENT CONTROL Last Review Date December 2016 Previous review dates January 2013 Approved By Board Issue Date April 2008 Author Sarah Hill Next Review Date (must be less than 3 September 2019 years from previous version date) What are the key changes to this procedure? (in brief) Clarity provided on clients who need to reengage with support.