- There are three domestic abuse providers of supported safe accommodation in Essex. The current contracts end March 2025.
- Providing support to adult and child victims of domestic abuse in the providers accommodation. This includes family refuges, dispersed accommodation where needs cannot be met in refuge. As well as a recovery refuge for women with active drug and/or alcohol addiction.
Market Context
The domestic abuse agenda has been a priority for the Council for many years. The current offer comprises of a single point of access (Compass), community outreach, support within safe accommodation and Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs) for victims assessed as high-risk.
The introduction of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 placed duties on the Council. Enabling the supported safe accommodation offer to be expanded. This includes an enhanced offer for children residing in safe supported accommodation.
Market Status
Demand for support across all DA services has seen a year-on-year increase. Providers have responded positively to this. Outside of the main DA service contracts, work has been commissioned to provide extra support and expertise to strengthen the offer which includes:
- Specialist support for adult and child victims of DA who have also experienced sexual abuse and violence
- Flexible funding for victims seeking and/or needing to sustain safe accommodation
- DA housing navigators in local housing teams.
The Council, together with commissioners across Southend, Thurrock and the PFCC recently commissioned a DA Discovery research work. This is to gain a deeper understanding of the experiences of people who have been affected by domestic abuse. To also use these findings to help shape the design of a whole system response across the SET region.
Market Rating
The Domestic Abuse providers in Essex are highly skilled and competent offering a range of support to victims. Working well with partners utilising local community organisations and charities to 'reach' different victim cohorts. Providers are further developing and strengthening their connections to be able to respond to minoritized cohorts. The Council will continue to track this as plans to develop a more diverse market are developed.
| Market Quality | Market Supply | Market Demand |
|---|---|---|
| Good/Very Good | Moderate | Good |
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| Market Workface | Market Ambition | Market Maturity |
| Low/Moderate | Increase Supply | Mature |
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Total Number of Providers: |
<5 |
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Total Number of supported safe accommodation places (refuge and dispersed): |
95 |
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Number of supported safe accommodation places for adults with children: |
79 |
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Average length of stay: |
4 to 5 months |
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Number of adults supported: (various each year dependent on length of stay) |
347 (2022/23) |
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Number of children supported: (various each year dependent on length of stay) |
404 (2022/23) |
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Expected future capacity: |
110-130 refuge places 1,200 Sanctuary (tbc) |
- Recommissioning activity will focus on expanding the support on offer. Where support is needed to enable victims to safely stay in their own home through a Sanctuary Scheme or similar.
- Availability of appropriate safe accommodation; refuges, dispersed, move on. DA providers have to secure their own safe accommodation. Funding available is for support within safe accommodation.
- Support for victims to safely stay in their own homes (Sanctuary). Limited housing market in Essex means that not all housing providers offer reciprocal arrangements or Sanctuary Schemes.
- Risks for service users with no recourse to public funds (unable to claim housing benefit)
- Meeting the needs of victims from minoritized groups. Need to develop a more diverse market. Specifically ‘By and For’ specialist DA providers of supported safe accommodation.
- Increased pressure to domestic abuse providers retaining their workforce.
- Increased demand on services as a result of cost of living.
- Year on year increase in number of people seeking support
- Full DA needs assessment to be completed by March 2024 and Strategy refresh by October 2024
- Research and soft market testing with ‘By and For’ specialist DA providers
- Recommissioning activity; current support in safe accommodation contracts end in March 2025
- Flexible funding pilot to support victims to seek and/or sustain appropriate safe accommodation, including their own home