Operational Context

• Key Agencies in England
• Partners in England

Key Agencies in England

These include Police, Local Authorities, Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs), Crime and Disorder Partnerships (CDRPs) and Fire & Rescue Services each of which may include other agencies such as Drug Action Teams (DATs), Primary Care Trusts (PCTs), Children’s Trusts and Local Criminal Justice Boards (LCJBs).  A flavour of the charity’s dealings with each is outlined below.

• Police.  They provide the information upon which referrals are made to our schemes.  In many areas it is the police who provide leadership and co-ordination of domestic violence fora.
• Local Authorities.  They have a duty under Best Value Performance Indicator 225.7 to make provision for sanctuaries or safe rooms in domestic violence cases.
• LSPs.  LSPs have a lead role in negotiating Local Area Agreements (LAA) across England, ensuring that community safety is reflected across all four LAA blocks.  Children’s Trusts play a role in developing the Children and Young People block of LAAs and we would expect to engage with them in domestic violence cases involving children.
• CDRPs.  They play a lead role in developing the Safer and Stronger Communities block of LAAs and managing subsequent delivery.  DATs are gradually integrating with CDRPs in Unitary Local Authorities across England and are making arrangements for closer working in two tier areas.  PCTs are members of CDRPs and we would expect to engage with them in developing integrated services to support victims of crime, particularly victims of domestic violence.  We would also expect to engage with LCJBs in support of victims of domestic violence.
• Fire & Rescue Services.  We work with these over basic fire safety checks, fitting smoke detectors, with safe rooms in domestic violence cases and responding to referrals for handyperson services.