Elizabeth Hartley, Assistant Director Early Help and Prevention, introduced the report of the Director of Children, Family and Education that provided Members with an introduction to the 5-year partnership strategy, Domestic abuse - No excuse. Appendix 1 to the report contained Domestic abuse – No excuse Strategy 2020-25 and Appendix 2 contained the Domestic abuse – No excuse Delivery Plan 2020-25.

The report provided an overview of the co-production process, strategic priorities, delivery plan, and phased approach to reducing domestic abuse whilst improving support for people affected. The report and strategy were aligned to the priorities of Wirral Council’s Plan 2025:

·  Working for brighter futures for our children, young people and their families by breaking the cycle of poor outcomes and raising the aspirations of every child in Wirral.

·  Working for safe and pleasant communities where our residents feel safe, and where they want to live and raise their families.

Members were informed that in Wirral during the period 01 February 2019 to 21 January 2020, there had been 8,410 individuals known to have been affected by domestic abuse. This included 2,786 who were victims, 2,844 perpetrators and 2,780 children who had been referred to Children’s Services due to being impacted by domestic abuse. These individuals required access to a co-ordinated, accessible and effective support offer, which the partnership domestic abuse strategy would enable.

The report highlighted that domestic abuse was an important issue for all public services, with far-reaching implications and high cost to both the public purse and life chances. A strategic approach to reduce the prevalence and impact of domestic abuse in Wirral required a strong partnership strategy and delivery plan.

Members were further informed that the previous partnership strategy, Zero Tolerance to Domestic Abuse, had been one of a suite of pledge strategies relating to the Wirral Plan 2020, which had now reached its conclusion.

Members noted that there was a requirement to build on the work of the previous strategy with a new approach aligned to the Wirral Plan 2025.

Members questioned the Assistant Director Early Help and Prevention on a number of matters highlighted in her report. The Assistant Director responded accordingly.

The Children, Young People and Education Committee expressed their full support of the strategy and thanked the officer for all the work that had been undertaken, requesting that further updates be provided to this Committee at the appropriate time.

Moved by Councillor Tom Usher, seconded by Councillor Kate Cannon, it was:

RESOLVED – That

1)  the partnership strategy ‘Domestic abuse - No excuse’ be supported;

2)  the partnership delivery plan be noted and endorsed; and

3)  the partnership strategy be brought back to this committee at appropriate stages of review and implementation.