Issue details

Proposed decision - Approval to extend the Domestic Abuse Act (DA Act) Framework to March 2029, in line with confirmed multi-year financial settlements from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

Approval to extend the well performing Kent Integrated Domestic Abuse Service (KIDAS) and Safe Accommodation Support Service (SASS) up to 31 January 2028 to ensure continuity of statutory service provision, support system stability, and enable a robust and compliant recommissioning process, including sufficient time for procurement, mobilisation, and co-commissioning.

Reason for the decision

Extension of Domestic Abuse Act (DA Act) Framework  - The Domestic Abuse Framework (originally approved under Key Decision 23/00060 and extended under Key Decision 25/00033) is currently in place until March 2027. It provides the governance structure for determining the allocation and use of Domestic Abuse Duty Safe Accommodation grant funding, as well as supporting strategic and operational decision-making. MHCLG has now confirmed multi-year settlements through the Homelessness, Rough Sleeping and Domestic Abuse Grant which is consolidating multiple funding streams including what was the Domestic Abuse Safe Accommodation Grant.

Extending the Framework to align with the duration of the Grant (to March 2029), and updating it to reflect the consolidated funding requirements, will:

·         Ensure continued compliance with the Grant conditions and statutory duties under Part 4 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021,

·         Enable longer-term strategic planning and commissioning,

·         Support delivery of the Kent & Medway Domestic Abuse Strategy 2024–2029,

·         Provide flexibility to respond to changing need within the parameters set by MHCLG.

Extension of Kent Integrated Domestic Abuse Service (KIDAS) and Safe Accommodation Support Service (SASS) - KCC have services delivering support to survivors of domestic abuse which are due to end 31 March 2027:

1.    Kent Integrated Domestic Abuse Service (KIDAS) including:

o    Referral, Assessment and Triage (RAT) service, delivered countywide by a partnership arrangement, through a contract held by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner. The cost of this element is met in full by the OPCC as their financial contribution to the integrated service model.

o   Contract SS16041, delivered countywide by Oasis Domestic Abuse Service, Clarion Housing group and Look Ahead Care and Support Ltd.

2.    Safe Accommodation Support Service (SASS) SC220255

Commissioners are progressing the recommissioning of domestic abuse support services and the development of the new Kent Integrated Family Domestic Abuse Service (KIFDAS), which will bring together multiple funding streams, services, and activities (including KIDAS and SASS) into a single, coordinated service, aligned under one contractual framework. The transition from existing service arrangements to the KIFDAS model is complex and critical to get right. A well-managed transition is essential to ensure continuity of support for victims and their children, minimise operational disruption, and maintain safeguarding arrangements.

Given the complexity and in response to feedback from partner agencies during engagement activities, the extension of existing contracts, until 31 January 2028, is necessary to ensure successful procurement and mobilisation of the new contractual arrangements, without creating any disruption to service delivery. The additional time will also support multiple partners (up to 15) to collaboratively shape a strong, sustainable funding model that reflects shared responsibilities and long?term system priorities for KIFDAS.

Background

Domestic abuse is a cross-cutting issue. KCC has statutory duties under Part 4 of the Domestic Abuse (DA) Act 2021 to assess need, publish a strategy, and commission support for victims and their children residing in safe accommodation. Since 2021, these duties have been supported through grant funding from central government. The established Domestic Abuse Framework 2025-27 provides the governance mechanism to ensure funding is allocated in line with statutory requirements, local need, and strategic priorities set out in the Multi Agency Domestic Abuse Strategy 2024-29.

Key services to support survivors of domestic abuse are the Kent Integrated Domestic Abuse Service (KIDAS) and Safe Accommodation Support Service (SASS). Both are due to end 31 March 2027. Commissioners are progressing recommissioning activity and development of a new service to replace both and the procurement will aim to launch in Autumn 2026.

Options (other options considered but discarded)

·         Option 1: Do Nothing - Allow Framework and contracts to end without extension. This option has been rejected as it risks a failure to meet statutory duties under the Domestic Abuse Act and service disruption to victims of domestic abuse, including adults and children.

·         Option 2: Immediate Recommissioning – Extend Framework and proceed with immediate procurement of KIFDAS prior to full financial and organisational stability.This option has been rejected as it risks the codesigned KIFDAS model not being achievable within the funding envelope, further risking a poor market response, reduced value for money and service disruption caused by insufficient mobilisation period.

·         Option 3: Extend Framework, KIDAS and SASS services - This is the proposed option to be progressed as it maintains continuity and compliance, supports strategic alignment and co-production and enables robust procurement and mobilisation.

How the proposed decision supports the Council’s Strategic Statement

The extension of the DA Framework and proposed extension of the KIDAS and SASS contracts supports the delivery of a safer, more resilient Kent and contributes directly to the council’s ambitions for prevention, partnership working, financial sustainability, and system reform as set out in Reforming Kent 2025 – 2028, Our Council Strategy.

Financial Implications

The total cost for the proposed extension of the Domestic Abuse Act Framework across 2027-28 and services for the period 1 April 2027 to 31 January 2028 is £6,469,853.39, broken down as follows:

• Extension of Domestic Abuse Framework - The cost of implementing the Domestic Abuse Framework across 2027-29 will be met in full by Homelessness, Rough Sleeping and Domestic Abuse Grant funding, including unspent grant funding from previous years (held in reserves). A draft budget forecast for 2027-28 indicates that expenditure will be £5,197,005.52. This figure includes funding for key service delivery, including:
  • £2,110,879.98 for services delivered by the Kent Integrated Domestic Abuse Service (KIDAS) until 31 January 2028; and
  • £572,090.95 for the Safe Accommodation Support Service (SASS), until 31 January 2028.

• Extension of KIDAS –
  • The countywide KIDAS Referral, Assessment and Triage Service is provided through the OPCC’s Kent and Medway victim support contract, and the cost of this element is met in full by the OPCC as their financial contribution to the integrated service model. The OPCC has confirmed that this arrangement can continue for the duration of the proposed KIDAS extension.
  • The full cost to extend the KIDAS contract (SS16 041) for 10 months from 1 April 2027 to 31 January 2028 is £3,383,727.85. Of this total, £2,110,879.98 is funded from within the Domestic Abuse Framework allocation set out above. The remaining balance is met through existing KIDAS funding partner contributions, including Public Health Grant funding*,the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Kent Fire and Rescue, the Integrated Care Board, and district and borough councils (Ashford, Canterbury, Dartford, Dover, Folkestone and Hythe, Gravesham, Maidstone, Swale and Thanet). This blended funding arrangement ensures that the full cost of the extension is met without creating any additional pressure on KCC’s base budget.

* This Public Health contribution is fully supported by the relevant Director and Cabinet Member

• Extension of SASS - The costs to extend the SASS contract (SC220 255) for 10 months from 1 April 2027 until 31 January 2028, is £572,090.95. This amount is included within the overall Domestic Abuse Framework allocation set out above and will be met in full by the Homelessness, Rough Sleeping and Domestic Abuse Act Grant.