New programme of inspections to scrutinise how local services respond to domestic abuse

A new programme of inspections, starting in September, will scrutinise how local services link up in response to domestic abuse. The joint targeted area inspections will be carried out by Ofsted, Care Quality Commission (CQC), HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) and HM Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP).

Since JTAIs last focused on this theme in 2016, the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 has made clear that children are victims of domestic abuse in their own right if they have seen, heard or experienced the effect of the abuse.

The upcoming JTAIs will evaluate local areas’ strategic arrangements for all children, with a specific focus on unborn babies and children aged 0 to 7 years old. They will look at how children’s welfare is promoted and protected through effective and timely responses to adult victims of domestic abuse – such as through maternity and adult mental health services. And they will consider how perpetrators are dealt with, including through the probation service.

Yvette Stanley (pictured), Ofsted’s National Director for Social Care said that the ‘time is right’ for the inspectorates to join together to look at the issue.

“Our JTAIs in 2016 told us that domestic abuse is a deeply damaging and widespread issue that needs a long-term, public health-style strategy to reduce its prevalence. We are pleased to see that, since that last review, positive steps have been taken to recognise and tackle the impact domestic abuse can have on children.”

Lucy Harte, Deputy Director for Multiagency Operations at CQC, said the JTAIs were an “invaluable opportunity to focus on the experience of young children who need timely support, and the impact of interventions designed to protect and support them.”

“By working with our joint inspectorates, we will also be able to consider the initial health response to children and families outside of a traditional health setting, looking at how ambulance services and their local area partnerships are working together.”

His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary, Michelle Skeer said: “A multi-agency response that tackles domestic abuse and ensures children are kept safe is crucial. Together with CQC, HMI Probation and Ofsted, we will assess how effectively the police respond to these types of incidents.”