Agenda item

Tricia Pereira (Strategic Advisor for Principle Social Work and Safeguarding Adult Social Care and Health), Sam Spiller, Rachel Westlake (Senior Commissioner), Iona Hunter-Whitehouse (Senior Project Officer for Domestic Abuse) and David Whittle (Director of Strategy, Policy, Relationships and Corporate Assurance) were in attendance for this item.

1.      Mr Gough presented the proposed decision. One aspect was related to the further Tranche of safe accommodation grant funding and the extension of the domestic abuse framework into 2025-2027. The second aspect encompassed the Kent Integrated Domestic Abuse Service Contract (KIDAS) which was due to end in March 2026.The proposed action was to extend beyond 2026.

2.      Mrs Pereira explained the reasoning for extending the abuse act framework and the integrated domestic abuse service contract. Mrs Pereira shared the current statistics of one in five crimes reported to Kent Police had involved domestic abuse. It was noted that 60,000 people in Kent had experienced domestic abuse annually.

3.      Mrs Pereira discussed the long-term impacts of domestic abuse. Aspects discussed were the struggle to remain in employment, instability of home life and long-term emotional effects.  It was added that 33% of all suicides in Kent and Medway had been linked to past domestic abuse.  It was highlighted that for the first time the figure for suicides had overtaken intimate partner homicides.

4.      Mr Spiller discussed the statutory duties that had been set out to provide support to those residing in safe accommodation. The Domestic Abuse Duty Safe Accommodation Grant allocation of 2025-26 had been announced and KCC would receive £4,310,222.  Current domestic abuse framework was in place until March 2025 with the proposal looking to extend until 2027.

5.      Framework end dates would be in line with the proposed KIDAS extension, and all proposals would adhere to MHCLG guidance. The KIDAS contract had been in place from 2017 and had continued to be successful.

6.         Further to questions and comments from Members, it was noted that

•           Members acknowledged the robust framework and highlighted the male refuge aspect that had been captured within the report. Tribute was paid to the team for their hard work

•           Clarification was sought on the Domestic Abuse Safe Accommodation grant and whether would it encompass wider supported needs. Mrs Westlake responded that the extension of the KIDAS Contract would be all encompassing.

•           In response to concerns regarding ongoing education disruption that had impacted young persons that had moved into safe accommodation, it was explained that the priority had always been to remove a young person from harm and that unfortunately some disruption to schooling had to be expected.

RESOLVED that the proposed decision be endorsed:

namely that the Leader of the Council agree to:

1.      APPROVE extension of the framework arrangements set out in the report for ongoing management of the DA Act Funding 2025-27.

2.      AGREE extension of the KIDAS contract and additional services up until March 2027 (12 months), permissible by PCR 2015 72(1)(b) and to continue to utilise this contract to support delivery of the requirements of the Act until the end of the contractual term.

3.      CONFIRM the arrangements put in place via Officer Decision OD-23-0002, taken under delegated authority by the Chief Executive, arising from Key Decision 22/00040 to delegate acceptance of any future monies to the Corporate Director of Finance, providing funding is given on similar terms and to enter into relevant agreements with Government as required to accept the funding (2025-2026).

4.      DELEGATE acceptance of any future monies (2026 onwards) to the Corporate Director of Finance, providing funding is given on similar terms and to enter into relevant agreements with Government as required to accept the funding.

5.      DELEGATE authority to the Corporate Director Adult Social Care and Health to, in consultation with the Leader, Corporate Director for Finance and Corporate Director for Children, Young People and Education, revise and amend the arrangement set out in the framework details, subject to the scope of the terms and conditions of the grant funding.

6.      DELEGATE authority to the Corporate Director Adult Social Care and Health, in consultation with the Corporate Director for Children, Young People and Education where applicable.