Purpose

This report seeks approval of the Housing Management Service’s new Domestic Abuse Policy.

Decision

The Mayor at the Housing Management Cabinet Sub Committee:

1. Reviewed and approved the Council Housing Domestic Abuse Policy within Appendix 1.
2. Noted the equalities impact assessment and equalities considerations as set out within this report and in the Equalities Impact Assessment in Appendix 2.

REASONS FOR THE DECISIONS

1. The new policy will help the Council achieve DAHA accreditation, which will evidence to the RSH that we are compliant with the Neighbourhood and Community Standard.
2. Residents have had the opportunity to shape the development and delivery of the policy in line with the requirements set out within the Regulator of Social Housing Consumer Standards, and approval of this policy is a key deliverable within our Your Voice, Our Action improvement programme.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS

1. Do not adopt the policy. This is not recommended as

a)     A housing domestic abuse policy is required by DAHA for accreditation.

b)     This domestic abuse policy will strengthen protections for victims/survivors of domestic abuse in the borough and standardise how we make referrals.