CAERPHILLY DOMESTIC ABUSE FORUM

CAERPHILLY DOMESTIC ABUSE FORUM
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD AT ENTERPRISE HOUSE, TIR Y BERTH
MONDAY 3TH AUGUST 2009 AT 2.00 PM
Chair – Anne Sheehan
Anne Sheehan Social Services Manager
Andrea Davies Domestic Abuse Co-ordinator
Howard Rees Community Safety Manager
Kim Griffiths Caerphilly Women’s Aid
Joey Coetzee Cafcass
Carolyn Dudley Substance Misuse Co-ordinator
Dick Ingram Child Protection Development Officer
Deborah White Contact & Referral Team, Children’s Services
Erin Morgan NCH
Jaci Rankmore YOT
Sharon Walters Probation Services
DS Steven Malony Gwent Police
Insp Alan Webber Gwent Police
Dianne Webb Safer Caerphilly
1. Apologies for absence
DI Rory Waring Gwent Police
Lana Harrison Victim Support
Zarah Newman Safeguarding Children Board
Maggie Pearce LHB
Olga Williams Safeguarding Children
Alison Davies CAFCASS
Anne Sheehan welcomed the group and asked for introductions around the table.
2. To approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting
The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as a correct record.
3. Matters Arising
Bobby Van Scheme Funding
AW stated that the 5 Unitary Authorities contributed towards the funding of the Bobby Van scheme. HR
informed the group that only some authorities contribute and in variable amount. Contributions from
Community Safety, Gwent Police and the Shrievalty Trust are made but are currently under review. At
this time, the Bobby Scheme has a 4month waiting list but DV calls are given priority.
4a. Launch of the WAG consultation on Domestic Abuse Strategy Action Plan
AD informed the group that she had requested any responses by 31 st July 2009 but none had been
received. KG apologised asking if the CWA response could be given by Wednesday 5 th August. CD
stated that her response would be with AD by tomorrow, 4 th August 2009. SW stated that the response
from Probation Service was in the hands of Carolyn Seymour whom she would contact asap. It was
agreed that AD should form the Forums reply to the Action Plan incorporating any agency responses

eceived this week.
4b Terms of Reference
AS stated that much has been achieved in the past 3 years and the terms of reference are now 3 years old
and should be reviewed. Due to the lack of papers, this matter will be deferred until the next meeting.
Email copy of the Terms of Reference to DW by 25 th September 2009.
4e MARAC Update
SM informed the group that an advertisement for a second MARAC Co-ordinator has been issued. The
DASH model training will take place on the 10 th September 2009 and will be rolled out by the end of the
year.
AD stated that the DASH model is the risk assessment that all agencies should be using. It is a large piece
of work to roll this out to all agencies.
SW stated that at the last MARAC meeting that the forms are now obsolete and the new forms should be
used when making referrals. These forms have yet to be received. It now appears that a score of 14 or
above must be gained before MARAC is considered.
SM stated that the model would be used in all areas across the UK. The new forms had not yet been
designed awaiting suggestions on questions to be included from outside agencies. He has now been
informed that the original format of the form will stand. As far as he is aware and the old criteria and
score system still stands.
AD/SM to confirm the current criteria.
MD to be copied into the response
DW informed the group that following a recent meeting with MD it was confirmed that the DASH form
would be used as a referral form, attempting to cut down on paperwork. She has been contacted by the
Police trainer, Nicky Combes, regarding agency training.
AD to clarify with MD as to how agency training will proceed.
SW informed the group that Probation Services will be moving to Meetings to Mamhilad at the request of
Gwent Police. DW stated that this move to Mamhilad has had a large implication on Children’s Services.
Not least that a 40minute drive for a 10 minute meeting is not time/cost affective.
AD stated that there is still hope that MARAC could be held in the MAC for the Caerphilly area.
4f WAG Capital Funding Bid
AS stated that a bid has recently been submitted to extend the lease of the MAC. KG stated that a joint
bid with Llami had been submitted to the Ministry of Justice for part of a £15million fund pot. The bid is
for a One Stop Shop for women who are offenders or at risk of offending, and has now reached the second
stage. A presentation is to be given at the end of September 2009. KG stated that she had several
meetings arranged with Community Safety, Probation, Supporting People etc and will be visiting a Pilot
Programme in Halifax prior to this presentation. The Halifax programme found that 97% of female
inmates had some form of DV in their past. This programme supports women at time of release and
stating that 80% of women do not return to prison. KG has two venues in mind for this venture and sees
the biggest problem as how to publicise the service which will hopefully be resolve at her visit to Halifax.
HR stated that the Chief Constable has proclaimed a personal interest and offered any assistance to KG.
4g Agency Updates
Children’s Services
DW stated that the post of social worker, in the Contact and Referral Team, dealing with the children
involved in DV has now been filled. Adele McMahon will take up post in mid September and become
operational by December 2009.
MAC
AD stated that she had settled in to her new role and is focusing on how to move things forward. A
meeting with agency partners has been arranged to look specifically at Strategy and the promotion of

services as this has recently became stagnant to the point that survivors have taken advertising materials to
place at there discretion.
Action for children
EM stated that the Staff Freedom Programme training is now complete. A 4 week course dealing with the
impact of DV on children was very well attended.
Education
DI informed the group that from September 2009 there will be 3 school counsellors in the Caerphilly
Borough area.
Substance Misuse
CD stated that work was ongoing. She has tapped into Communities First but would like to work more
with the police.
Community Safety
HR stated Whitehall have given responsibility for the Specialist Domestic Violence Courts to the Criminal
Justice Board and responsibility for IDVA’s has been passed to Community Safety, without consultation
or budget, despite protestations that without IDVA’s there would be no need for SDVC’s.
A meeting involving AS, HR, AW to be scheduled to discuss the way forward.
Probation
SW stated that service is currently assessing the VLO and Women’s Safety Worker posts to establish if
Probation is the correct agency to fund this post.
CWA
KG stated that a bid was to be submitted for an administrator for the MAC. A meeting has been scheduled
with Martin Dew regarding operational issues. A recent incident at a Refuge resulted in a 999 call and the
Armed Response unit being requested. 3hours passed before an officer arrived despite a previous threat of
arson at that refuge and an informal complaint has been lodged.
SM informed KG that this issue has been addressed with the Control Room Inspector who’s decision was
to call the Armed Response Team as there was only one response car in the area. Every call has to be risk
assessed prior to officers being sent out. KG stated that on previous occasions calls had been dealt with
rapidly and with consideration but on this occasion no information or feedback from the Police was
forthcoming.
AW stated that the team would come from Tredegar for the Gilfach area and there is usually more than
one response team available. SM informed the group that in the near future 5 uniformed response officers
will be carrying Tasars. HR stated that there have been a few teething problems since the Police
reorganisation and AW will be feeding back to SI Jon Burley.
AS suggested that the Forum is the best place to raise these operational issues to develop resolution and
identify themes and patterns. HR agreed, but asked that issues between agencies be raised immediately
they become apparent and not to wait until the next Forum. DW stated that Children’s Services are also
having problems contacting officers and securing their attendance at meetings. Police checks are taking as
long as two weeks whereas action has to be taken within 24hours. SW stated that a new point of contact
has been given to Probation Services for all information required. Unfortunately the turn around is 3
weeks. JR suggested that YOS would be willing to share any information as their records held are
extensive. SM stated that he has only been in post for 3 weeks but is willing to be a point of contact
regarding necessary information.
AW stated that in general performance, Violent crime has increased across the board. The trend over the
last 4-5 years has been reduction and this is disappointing. DW stated that records show that there has
been a recent increase in DV in the Blackwood area does AW have any views on this?
AW stated that Blackwood has always been a meeting point and top of the hot spot list at weekends. in
his view the recession has hit the High Street pubs and more people tend to consume their alcohol at
home. HR asked if there was any available performance data?
SM, AW and AD to consult regarding data collection

HR informed the group the post of Analyst has been recently advertised.
6. AOB
AD stated that she had attended a Pan Gwent Meeting, which informed the group of the Family Court
move to Clarence House. This Court will have Video Link facilities, separate entrance and parking
facilities and a Vulnerable Witness Suite. Suggestions as to the furnishing of this suite have been
requested from all agencies. Any feedback and suggestions to AD by the end of the month please.
The next meeting will take place at 2pm on the 5 th October 2009 at Enterprise House, New Road, Tir Y
Berth