DASU Dornestic AJ.J5e Safety Un It UnLYI Diokjelwch Trais Teulu ANNUAL REPORT 202312024 DASU Domestic AJJ5e Safety Unit Uried DiobJelviih Tra.s leuluol
1 referral every 15 minutes 212 families supported in refuge 11 84 new clients in counselling service Over 350 children supported Stable Funding 6 Trustees
Message from the Chair of Trustees
23/24 has been an incredibly busy year for DASU North Wales, with several new funding stream and projects, and several tenders. We continue to go from strength to strength and support ever increasing numbers of survivors of Domestic Abuse and their families.
During 23/24 we received 6494 referrals into our service and 212 families were accepted into our refuge service. However, we were unable to accept a further 284 families into refuge, as we did not have capacity. This demonstrates the size of the problem, and the need for more refuges and services for victims fleeing Domestic Abuse.
To meet some of this need we applied for capital funding to purchase a house in Flintshire, which will be a beautiful 2-bedroom family home, for a survivor and their children. In addition, with further capital funding we purchased one of our rented refuge properties and this continues to offer a safe space for a survivor and their family in Denbighshire.
Our short stay refuge space continued to be used so we secured additional capital funding and did further work on the property to make a second short stay unit. This now provides high quality refuge spaces for 2 survivors and up to 6 children. It enables these survivors who wish to access refuge at weekends or out of hours when a long-term space is not available immediately to stay with us securely, bringing children, pets and dependents for up to 72 hours until they can be accepted into a more permanent space.
We identified an increase in survivors needing support in the Denbighshire area, so via a joint funding bid with RASASC NW we secured funding to purchase an office building in Rhyl, so that survivors from both organisations can receive support and counselling in a safe and comfortable environment.
DASU are an organisation that prides itself on delivering high quality services and support, we have had all our services accredited by SafeLives Leading Lights. Achieving this has been no small task, with assessors scrutinizing our work, interviewing Staff and Trustees, and reviewing all policies and processes.
We are so delighted that we have received the accreditation, and even more proud to report we are the only Domestic Abuse provider in Wales to have all our services accredited. Currently, we are working towards the Welsh Women’s Aid National Quality Service Standards and hope to achieve this in the coming weeks. This accreditation will also give DASU IAQF status, this Welsh Government framework will enable DASU to continue to receive Welsh Government funding and be recognised as a provider of quality information and advice in Wales.
Message from the Chair of Trustees
Achieving these accreditations provides our funders, and more importantly our clients with the reassurance that we offer high quality, well managed services, that are delivered by well trained staff.
Support from Our Children and Young people’s services continued to be in great demand and with the capital funding we have a dedicated CYP suite in our Colwyn Bay office and will have dedicated CYP areas in our new offices in Rhyl.
With Children and Young people being victims, it is important to ensure that they can receive support in safe and welcoming environments which are designed by them for them. Co-production is at the heart of all DASU’s services and support and this can be clearly seen in this wonderful suite, and will be at the heart of designing the new counselling rooms in the Rhyl office.
Due to the increase in referrals, we accessed additional funding through the OPCC to employ more IDVA’s, this team continues to support the most high-risk victims of Domestic Abuse, attending MARAC’s, court hearings and providing target hardening to enable survivors to remain safe in their own home.
We were commissioned by the MOJ to deliver the Court Pathfinder pilot with our partners Gorwel. This project which operates in the family courts aims to improve the court process for those who have been impacted by Domestic Abuse and put the children’s voice at the centre of any proceedings. Working with CAFCASS, where there are concerns about Domestic Abuse within a family, they are referred to DASU and we then conduct in depth assessments with the victims and offer support for them and their children.
A detailed report is provided to the court so that the judge can have a full picture of the family circumstances before any decisions are made in relation to the children within the family. This pilot breaks down barriers for victims and provides the most vulnerable with a voice in proceedings. We have already received excellent feedback from clients and judges, who report that the process is “less brutal”, means that less fact-finding hearings are needed and importantly that families are not repeatedly coming back to court. We are hopeful that the pilot will become a permanent part of the support offered to victims of Domestic Abuse when the pilot ends.
During the year Flintshire and Wrexham County Councils tendered for their DA services. We were delighted to win the tenders to continue the delivery of our services in Flintshire and for the delivery of our Refuge services in Wrexham. This year we are expecting the IDVA and Denbighshire Domestic Abuse Services to be tendered. We will work hard to prepare for these and gather evidence from our clients and stakeholders to prepare the best possible bids.
___Messagefromthe Chairof Trustees DASU would like to acknowledge and thank all our commissioners and funders. Without your support the life changing services we offer would simply not be available, together we really can make a difference.
DASU would like to acknowledge and thank all our commissioners and funders. Without your support the life changing services we offer would simply not be available, together we really can make a difference. Finally, on behalf of myself and the board I would like to recognise and thank all our staff and volunteers for their hard work and dedication. Each year we report the increase in numbers of survivors accessing our services, and alongside the domestic abuse they report they also present with many complex needs. Our staff and volunteers have become experts in identifying ways of supporting the most vulnerable in society, using their skills and experience our staff and volunteers break down barriers, develop trust and provide life changing and lifesaving support. ’
P A R T N E R F E E D B A C K
thrilled to support DASU in this way and it’s a pleasure to work alongside and support their. teams. DASU are supporting another local charity to continue helping people in our communities with their mental health and wellbeing.
and so eager to help.
changing. In a personal capacity DASU have been my rock. They got me from a
Structure, Governance & Management
Objectives and Aims
The Domestic Abuse Safety Unit (DASU) provides professional coordinated interventions to people experiencing domestic abuse across Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham to maximise their safety, and the safety of their families.
The trustees, who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2023.
The charity supports anyone who has been subjected to mental, physical or sexual abuse by their partners or persons with whom they have had a relationship. The aim is to assist them in making the transition to a safe and secure life.
Our services and support are therefore delivered in a way that specifically meet the needs of the client and acknowledges individuals experiencing multiple inequalities.
The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
S I G N I F I C A N T A C T I V I T I E S
behalf of clients.
Agency Risk Assessment Conferences
DASU helps survivors of domestic abuse in a wide variety of tangible ways such as helping clients to claim welfare benefits, accessing legal representation and attending court, safety planning, risk assessment and assisting clients to secure accommodation in private or social housing. Many of our clients have children, and we can assist them by finding places in playgroups, schools and colleges for the children when entering refuge with their parent, or when resettling in permanent housing. This is an important element of the overall service provision, as is registration with GPs and dentists and accessing other health services, so basic needs and continued health and well-being is promoted.
In addition to this wide-ranging practical support, DASU works with survivors to increase their confidence, self-esteem and the strength to emerge from social exclusion and stigmatisation and enable them to take control of their lives. This takes the form of individual counselling, group work and training, and has led to a number of clients finding the confidence to take up paid and volunteering work.
R A I S I N G A W A R E N E S S
An important area of work is awarenessraising within the community and related agencies. This includes workshop sessions in schools and colleges, talks to women's and church groups, and training for midwives and health visitors as part of the Integrated Care Pathway.
The importance of this work is primarily in raising awareness, but it also establishes valuable links with pupils, teachers and practitioners in related agencies. A monthly coffee morning helps to increase social networks and decrease isolation.
DASU has strong links with:
Wrexham County Councils, and in
Social Services and Housing Departments, ‘The Domestic Abuse Co ~~-c~~ oordinators ‘Neighbourhood Wardens,
Cynefin,
‘Wales and West Housing, ‘Women’s Aid
This monthly meeting is an opportunity for women to raise concerns, discuss options and offer mutual support. In addition, we are offering short training opportunities, providing clients with life skills which they have identified as needing. Such activities have included cooking, basic car mechanic courses, arts and craft activities and future plans include Internet safety, and employability skills.
Group.
F I
Income and expenditure 2023/24 ~~i| ¢~~ ~ DOMESTIC ABUSE SAFETY UNIT NORTH WALES LTD STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES. INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 37 MARCH 2024 Uerecticted = Rectricded Tote Unrestticied Ractricded Tata! funds. Tumde funds furnds rected reeterbesd rected Mode 2022& Di.E 2028£ 20SE 20SE 2022£ Leos Eroms Donalions are HegrcHes. = 23, fa. 2S Bhd aa S048 24314 Chanlatia aolktes 4 2055 4a PZT, B15 41S 2 1,566,541 1 ASS 3,529, G52 Other tang acliviies & T 44. 7 a 254 Bm Isrts 6 12,535 12.835 a] 5o5 Total Income 2.101, 157 2027 B15 ea wb ed 2,024 601 1 fo? 541 3,041,452 Exuandtture on: Chantatia goths r 2,117,838 1.826, 100 3 8S Se 7,041,881 1 ea 11 3,065, ToS Het fouigeing) incoming ressources before transfers 12,6355 St 7s 2 OFS AD 2E0} 13.540 4.440) Gross tansiers beh mh turds fiz qB12h 13. S40) £15 Sebo} Het feapenditurepimoome forthe yeart et moaveneentin funds 014 427) 3,003 280 OFG (4,440) 01 hbo] Fund balanoss. at April ma SOM 355 TO? ,S00 1,511 26S ToT a 1213205 MarahFund bellsinoes:2024 st 24 Ta? 538 1,005 203 40D Ge] Bie, 365 TOT S00 4,511,585 The shatensend of financial acthetties includes all gains andiicgses recognised In then yaar All IneooTa: ated forpencinure deren from continuing aciviias. The staiementof financial activities. also congdhes with fe mequirensenisfor an noone and aapenditune acount Wrecker then: oo mipkes fuck Se. N A N C E R E P O R T
F U N D E R S 2 3 / 2 4
Thank you to all our funders, which included: Conwy County Borough Council, Denbighshire County Council Flintshire County Council, Wrexham County Borough Council Community Fund, Gwynt y Mor, Freemasons, Nationwide The Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner - North Wales Children In Need, Moondance Foundation, Charles Hayward Steve Morgan Foundation, NatWest Circle Fund, Welsh Government MoJ, The Waterloo Foundation, Welsh Womens Aid
O P E R A T I O N A L R E P O R T
The refuge provision is constantly increasing and has continued to do so this year. We have gained another 3 dispersed units from Wales and West housing association in Flintshire and secured additional Welsh Government Funding to decorate and furnish. In addition, we have refurbished one of our dispersed units to be our first male dispersed unit that can facilitate a male fleeing with children or child contact.
We have continued to refurbish our existing portfolio to ensure service users who are in need of refuge can stay somewhere that is safe, welcoming and to a standard that we would want to live in ourselves. We were lucky enough to secure Welsh Government Funding to add a second Complex Needs unit to our portfolio. This will allow us to provide a wrap around, holistic approach of support for those seeking refuge who have complexities.
In addition to providing safe accommodation, refuge staff continue facilitate client-led activities that are both physically and mentally stimulating. Activities relating to ‘beauty’ have been known to help with relaxation, confidence boosting and encourages peer support.
Complex Needs Unit
R E F U G E C A S E S T U D Y
inda was referred to communal refuge by the Local Authority. Linda had a
opportunities for employment.
S U P P O R T I N T H E C O M M U N I T Y
Services
ommunity
Service
partnership working.
engaged.
IDVACASE STUDY Rebecca had complex needs including substance misuse, mental health and offending behaviour. Rebecca had been referred to DASU a number of times with the same AIP. Rebecca had never really engaged with services including DASU and would not engage with the police or provide a statement regarding the abuse despite there being high levels of domestic abuse including physical abuse, stalking and harassment, coercive control, sexual abuse, threats to kill and non- fatal strangulatlon. hroughout a period of time, IDVA'S had attempted to engage with Rebecca and i more recent months, there was exceptional multi-agency working. Rebecca's case was heard regularly at MARAC, MAPPA involvement and regular multi-disciplinary meetings which included a vast range of different professionals, including DASU. With the support of all professionals, IDVA managed to engage with Rebecca who accepted safety and support planning. Rebecca did access refuge for a short period of time however due to her complex needs. Rebecca found it difficult to remain there. Rebecca went through a difficult time and was incarceration where she was still provided with IDVA support. When Rebecca was released further afety measures were put in place. Rebecca has continued to engage well with IDVA services alongside other services and is working positively with the police regarding the abuse she has suffered.
C O M M U N I T Y C A S E S T U D Y
fatal strangulation.
CHILDREN&YOUNG PEOPLE Tea & Toast Bring your fitt5e ones to play while you meet other mums. Safe space to chol and have a drink and loost for free. Every Thursday, starting lsl February 2024 Every Thutsdoy moming 10am-12 noon. TEA & TOAST Pop in or stay for the (e)•
C Y P C A S E S T U D Y
manage difficult feelings.
she had lots of things she wanted to say to her A/P but did not know how to
jar.