Bedford Borough Council has been accused of “gatekeeping” domestic abuse victims seeking housing help after a resident told councillors some survivors were still struggling to access support.
The concerns were raised during public questions at an executive meeting where councillors later approved a new five-year domestic abuse strategy.
Mike Hyden told the council’s Executive meeting on Wednesday (4 March) that statutory guidance has required housing authorities to have clear policies for identifying and supporting domestic abuse victims for more than a decade.
“The council is still failing to identify domestic abuse victims when they approach for homeless assistance and is gatekeeping them,” he said.
He told the meeting he was aware of “very recent cases” in the last few months where victims had struggled to access support, although he said he could not always share details because of the wishes of those involved.
Mr Hayden also questioned whether the strategy provided sufficient practical guidance for frontline staff.
“My view is that the strategy that’s been put forward does not meet the criteria of a policy that the housing code guidance is talking about,” he said.
He said the document focused on high-level concepts such as trauma-informed practice but lacked clear instructions on what staff or councillors should do when domestic abuse is identified.
Housing-specific policy
Responding to the concerns, cllr Jane Walker (Conservative, Clapham & Oakley), the council’s portfolio holder for valuing families: children’s services, said the authority had developed a strategy setting out its commitment to supporting victims and survivors.
She said housing officers receive specialist training and that the council is developing a more detailed housing-specific domestic abuse policy.
“We’ve taken the time to have it reviewed by our domestic abuse survivor peer group,” she said, “Because it’s crucial that feedback and amendments from experts by experience are included.”
She added that the authority is seeking accreditation from the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance, which sets standards for housing providers supporting survivors.
Cllr Walker also asked for the details of any incidents where the council “failed to provide the statutory support expected” so they could be investigated.
Documents presented to the Executive show domestic abuse remains a significant issue locally, with demand for support services rising and increasing pressure on refuge spaces and housing support.
Council reports state that domestic abuse is a significant driver of homelessness presentations, highlighting the need for improved coordination between housing and support services.
Five priorities
A needs assessment commissioned by the council also found that survivors’ first contact with authorities could be critical, with some reporting experiences of disbelief, dismissal or delays when seeking help.
In some cases, survivors said these experiences left them returning to abusive situations or facing homelessness.
The new strategy sets out five priorities for the next five years, including prevention and early intervention, improving support for victims, working with perpetrators to reduce re-offending, strengthening partnership working, and supporting long-term recovery.
Nationally, the Office for National Statistics estimates that around 8% of people aged 16 or over experienced domestic abuse in England and Wales in the year to March 2024.
The council said the strategy is intended to help ensure Bedford meets its statutory duties under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 while improving support for victims and their families.
By John Guinn
Local Democracy Reporter
