Decision Title: Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Programme funding 2022-23
Decision Reference Number: WPCC3-0067
Lead Officer: Sara Ansell
Date: 22nd August 2022
Status: Non-confidential
Decision summary:
To seek formal approval for the acceptance and spending of £0.200m of Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Programme funding that has been agreed with the Home Office. The Commissioner received confirmation of the funding after the formal budget setting process for 2022-23 had been completed.
The 2022-23 funding award will enable the continuation of the scheme beyond August 2022 (when the previous scheme was due to terminate) and it will now be in place until the end of March 2023.
I confirm that my register of interests declaration is up to date and that none of my interests preclude me from making this decision.
Signature: Philip Seccombe
Date: 17th October 2022
Supporting information
1. Background information
In 2021-22, in addition to domestic abuse (DA) services for victims-survivors, and in response to a national drive led by the Home Office, the Commissioner part funded alongside some additional Home Office funding secured by his office, an expanded scheme of diversionary services for perpetrators of DA in Warwickshire. These services, collectively known as DA Perpetrator Programmes (DAPP), are part of the Governments ongoing national focus on tackling DA as one of its main priorities and in line with its domestic abuse strategy. The one year scheme and its funding was due to end in August 2022, but discussions and engagement between the Office and the Home Office has resulted in a further £0.200m of funding being secured for 2022-23, which will enable the current scheme to run to the end of March 2023. The continuity of the scheme and funding will ensure that the recommendation in the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) strategy for Warwickshire, to provide an accredited service working to Respect standards, that offered integrated partner support and provide outcomes and evaluation data continues to be met.
The current scheme is operated by a local third-sector organisation called Family Intervention Counselling Service (FICS), who will continue to operate the scheme until March 2023.
2. List of additional information attached as appendices
Not applicable
3. Expected benefits
The expected benefits are that the current comprehensive scheme can be continued beyond August 2022, which offers support and services to perpetrators to change behaviours and divert them away from their offending.
4. Impact of not approving the application
The decline of available funding to fund a DAPP beyond August 2022in Warwickshire.
Lack of a properly scoped DAPP with all the controls and safeguards that are afforded to the PCC through the current arrangements through effective partnership working with a third sector provider, with stringent terms and conditions in place and performance monitoring that is closely scrutinised on an ongoing basis.
No continuity and ongoing delivery of services to perpetrators of DA to divert them away from their offending
5. Costs (including any identified savings)
The costs of continuing the scheme from August 2022 to March 2023 will be entirely funded the Home Office grant of £0.200m.
6. Equality implications
Not applicable
7. Legal comments
A grant agreement is issued form the Home Office in respect of the receipt of the grant, which includes what expenditure is eligible and the criteria for spending. These conditions are passported to the provider. The outcomes from the scheme are reviewed and reported to the Home Office as requested.
8. Publication
Information in this form is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI Act) and other legislation. Unless the information provided is covered by an exemption and stated to be either confidential or partly confidential, the information contained in the form will be published on the OPCC website.
Comments from the Treasurer
This decision notice aims to seek approval for acceptance of the £0.200m grant from the Home Office and the ongoing work with a partner organisation to deliver a DAPP scheme in Warwickshire. This is in line with the priorities outlined in the Police and Crime Plan, and enables the current arrangements to be extended to the end of March 2023, rather than terminating in August 2022, at no additional financial cost to the Commissioner in 2022-23.
Comments from the Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer
This decision has been made following a robust process to determine the most suitable approach to distribute the Home Office grant.
