Safer Accommodation for Victims and Families of Domestic Abuse

The service will not be a conventional static refuge comprising of one shared accommodation building but will incorporate a number of dispersed properties around the borough. The recommended levels of accommodation for domestic abuse victims, compared to the population size is 1 for every 10,000 people. Based on this recommendation South Tyneside should have at least 15 units of accommodation. However as South Tyneside has significant rates of domestic abuse we could benefit from additional units. Therefore, we are looking to a 6-8 bedded refuge unit and 8-10 dispersed properties. We will work with the provider to phase the properties across the contract in the first 2 years, should this be required.

The Service will provide fluidity to support the recovery and re-empowerment of service users. It will utilise the social capital that each person has, and support options will be bespoke. The Service will tap into the existing community and voluntary organisations that are available and a focus on wider health outcomes will be a key factor.

The service will deliver a whole family, whole system response that facilitates engagement between services and clients and can flex to fit with both local provision and clients' needs. This direct support model will be delivered by a specialist team of experts. The service will link with partner agencies to ensure effective joint working with clients to build on their personal strengths to improve safety and wellbeing. The workers will be key members of the integrated domestic abuse hub to benefit from the use of the facilities, expertise and shared learning and information.

To complement the new way of working, the Service will have a trauma-informed approach. Trauma affects individuals, families, and wider communities by disrupting healthy growth and development, affecting relationships at all levels, and contributes to negative social, health and economic factors such as poor mental health, substance misuse, child abuse and bereavement, economic stress, and higher levels of people not in education, employment, or training. Individuals who have been traumatised need support and understanding from those around them, particularly when they may be presenting as hyper, or hypo aroused. Therefore, the service will adopt interventions and support which will be based on prioritising an individual's physical safety, emotional safety, and psychological safety. Additional information: The duration period includes the 24 extension option.