Decision Maker: Executive Director for Place & Economic Growth
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: No
The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 has placed new
duties on local authorities to provide support to victims of
domestic abuse in safe accommodation, as well as providing that all
eligible homeless victims of domestic abuse automatically have
‘priority need’ for homelessness assistance. To meet
these duties, it is proposed that new posts are established and
recruited to within the Housing Options service.
RESOLVED - That: Recruit 1x Move-On Support
Officer, 1.5 Engagement Officers to the Housing Options
Service
1.Recruit 1x Move-On Support Officer, 1.5
Engagement Officers to the Housing Options Service (Recommended):
Siting skilled and targeted domestic abuse resources within the
Housing Options Team will both provide dedicated support to
victims, meeting the requirements of the Domestic Abuse Act, and
help contribute to homelessness prevention and relief.
2.Site additional Staffing in existing Early Help service structure
(Not Recommended): Whilst the existing Early Help service is in
high demand, there is significant overlap between residents
supported by the Housing Options Team so a good business case for
co-locating staff. Siting the additional posts within Housing
Options will make best use of these new resources for both
services, generating shared outcomes and creating a more seamless
offer for victims of domestic abuse.
3.Site additional resources in externally commissioned services
(Not Recommended): The Women’s Pathway, which includes the
refuge, is externally commissioned. Whilst this could be considered
– particularly for the Engagement Officer roles – this
service is currently being re-commissioned. Due to this period of
uncertainty, plus the risk of creating additional TUPE implications
for providers, this option is not recommended.
2.Site additional Staffing in existing Early
Help service structure (Not Recommended): Whilst the existing Early
Help service is in high demand, there is significant overlap
between residents supported by the Housing Options Team so a good
business case for co-locating staff. Siting the additional posts
within Housing Options will make best use of these new resources
for both services, generating shared outcomes and creating a more
seamless offer for victims of domestic abuse.
3.Site additional resources in externally commissioned services
(Not Recommended): The Women’s Pathway, which includes the
refuge, is externally commissioned. Whilst this could be considered
– particularly for the Engagement Officer roles – this
service is currently being re-commissioned. Due to this period of
uncertainty, plus the risk of creating additional TUPE implications
for providers, this option is not recommended.
Other reasons / organisations consulted
Domestic Abuse Partnership and Portfolio
Holders
Contact: Fiona Carr, Principal Homelessness Strategy Officer Email: fiona.carr@oldham.gov.uk Email: fiona.carr@oldham.gov.uk.
Publication date: 08/11/2021
Date of decision: 22/10/2021
Accompanying Documents: