Deputy Police Commissioner supports call for stronger action to tackle domestic abuse

CALLS for the Government to strengthen its forthcoming bill on domestic abuse, provide enhanced funding for refuges and create a new stalkers register have been supported by Merseyside's Deputy Police Commissioner.

Cllr Emily Spurrell has welcomed the release of a Home Affairs Committee report into Domestic Abuse which, following a short inquiry into the Government's proposed strategy, urges ministers to introduce legislation which provide more support for victims and widen the scope of its reforms as a matter of urgency.

Merseyside's Police Commissioner was one of only 2 Commissioners across England and Wales to submit written evidence to the inquiry, which included a number of recommendations, many of which have been taken on board within the report. The report echoes the evidence submitted by the Police Commissioner in calling for:-

► Sufficient and longer term funding for the provision of refuges for victims of domestic abuse.

► Greater recognition of the impact domestic abuse can have on children and young people.

► Changes to the justice system to make it easier for victims to give evidence and proceed with cases when a victim is not willing to give evidence.

The committee's report said an urgent solution had to be found for the 90 women and 94 children turned away from refuges each day, including a review of current funding levels and legislation that Forced Local Authorities to provide emergency refuge places.

Other recommendations within the report, including the introduction of a national register of serial stalkers and domestic violence perpetrators, a consultation on introducing paid domestic violence leave for victims and an end to single Universal Credit Payments, have also been supported by the Deputy Commissioner.

Cllr Emily Spurrell said:- "Far too many women who have suffered at the hands of an abusive partner are currently being further let down by a welfare system which makes it harder for them to leave their abuser and by a Government which is failing to appropriately fund safe accommodation for victims or recognise the needs of thousands of vulnerable women and their children. It is a national disgrace that nearly 200 women and children are being refused a safe place to sleep every single day because of a lack of bed spaces. Urgent action is needed to ensure there is enough refuge accommodation for every woman who needs it and their children. I welcome this report from the Home Affairs Committee which urges the Government to strengthen and expand its current bill on Domestic Abuse. This report lays out a number of straightforward measures the Government could adopt which would make a real difference in the lives of thousands of victims. I urge ministers to pay close attention to it and heed the advice of the Committee."

Chair of the Home Affairs Committee, Rt. Hon. Yvette Cooper MP said:- "Domestic abuse is one of the most dangerous and most common crimes there is. Millions of people are affected each year, and 2 women a week die at the hands of a partner of ex. The Government is rightly proposing new legislation and a new strategy, but our inquiry found much stronger action is needed across the board. Shockingly, many refuges are turning away 60% of their referral due to a lack of space. We urgently need more refuge places; provision should be a requirement on Local Authorities, backed by national ring-fenced funding."

Read the full submission from Merseyside's Police and Crime Commissioner here or take a look at the full report by clicking here.

Merseyside Care Home Enjoys Success in CQC Report

HC One's Dale Park Home in Southport, Merseyside is celebrating having received a glowing report from the Care Quality Commission (CQC.) The team at Dale Park were delighted to have received an impressive CQC report that rated the home as 'Good' in all areas, demonstrating that the home is providing high standards of care for Residents, demonstrating that the home is:- Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsible, and Well Led.

The inspectors were full of praise for colleagues Dale Park, highlighting the kind ways in which they provide care for Residents at the home. This sentiment was echoed by Residents. One Resident sat in a lounge area told CQC, "It's nice here. This is a nice room and very comfy." The person looked relaxed and reassured by their surroundings and the staff who were present. A relative commented:- "Staff will always keep us up to date. I trust them; it's very safe here." Other relatives also felt the service provided safe care; "Yes, the staff are very alert and on the ball" and "I know person is absolutely safe here."

Inspectors also commented on the high standard of the HC-One training program and how the meals at dinnertime were of "Good quality and well presented".

Dale Park's achievements reflect HC-One's commitment to being the care provider of choice across its family of homes for individuals looking for the kindest care and support. This is also demonstrated by HC-One achieving a 9.4/10 average rating on carehome.co.uk, the sector's leading care home comparison website, with Dale Park itself achieving a 9.5/10 rating. The high rating shows that HC-One is one of the best companies in the care home sector as rated by service users.

HC-One currently also has the highest compliance rating of all independent residential care home providers.

HC-One Dale Park House Care Home Manager, Malcolm Rugen said:- "We are delighted with this report which is a testament to the hard work and kind care that each and every member of the team puts in, day in day out."

HC-One Managing Director, Ruth Yates said:- "This rating is great news. I would like to thank the whole team for their commitment and hard work and congratulate them on such an impressive report. We are dedicated to achieving our aim of being the care provider of choice for those looking for the very best care and support, and employer of choice for the best, most professional, and kindest care staff."

Last call to sock it to homelessness in Southport

YORKSHIRE Building Society colleagues are making a last call for generous soles in Southport to sock it to homelessness. The Society is running its month long Socktober appeal, until Wednesday, 31 October 2018, as part of the Society's charity partnership with End Youth Homelessness (EYH.)

Donations of new pairs of socks, toiletries and interview clothes plus other items such as:- woolly hats, gloves, scarves, can be made at the Southport branch, on London Road, Southport.

The branch is also raising money for EYH and donations can be made in branch or at:- JustGiving.Com or by simply texting:- 'SOCT70' followed by the amount you would like to donate such as:- ₤1, ₤2, ₤3, ₤4, ₤5 or ₤10 to 70070.

An estimated 86,000 young people in the UK are homeless and, according to latest figures, 52 young people in Sefton received some homelessness support from their Local Authority in 2016/17.

Sasha Pauley, Charity Partnership Manager for Yorkshire Building Society, said:- "Thanks to donations we receive in Southport for our partnership with End Youth Homelessness we are able to support homeless young people into their own rented homes and break down the barriers that homeless young people face."

Through the course of the Society's 3 year partnership with EYH, it aims to raise ₤750,000. EYH is a UK wide movement, bringing together local charities to tackle youth homelessness on a national scale.

News reports located on this page = 3.

Deputy Police Commissioner supports call for stronger action to tackle domestic abuse

Merseyside Care Home Enjoys Success in CQC Report

Last call to sock it to homelessness in Southport