WOKINGHAM Borough Council is calling on its domestic abuse partner to improve its performance.
Cranstoun took over the domestic abuse support service last year after it was awarded a £1.5million contract, a 55% increase in funding.
At an extraordinary executive meeting held on Tuesday, March 22, leader of the council, Cllr John Halsall said: “We have not yet seen the full benefits of that increased investment and so have intervened to improve the performance of our contractor Cranstoun.”
Cranstoun has been criticised for not opening a new refuge for victims fleeing domestic abuse.
Under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, councils in England must assess the need for support in their area, including the demand for “safe“ accommodation.
They must also “commission support to victims of domestic abuse and their children” who are living in refuge centres.
In last week’s edition of Wokingham.Today, a spokesperson for Cranstoun said: “The refuge provision was withheld by the previous provider when the service went live in July 2021.
“The contract covers the support and management of refuge provision.”
Cllr John Halsall clarified the contract does state Cranstoun is required to open a new refuge in the borough.
He said: “To be clear, part of Cranstoun’s contract is to open a new refuge to increase capacity in the borough and they have failed to do this to date, which has left the borough relying on the existing refuge only.
“We are requiring that Cranstoun either open a new refuge within the borough or surrender that part of the contract, and the funding accompanying it, so we can find a different provider who can open an additional refuge.”
In November, the council granted funding to Berkshire Women’s Aid to provide a refuge until March this year.
Cllr John Halsall also said the council requires Cranstoun to have a 24-hour staffed phone line which will be up and running within “a few weeks”.
Following the article on domestic abuse in last week’s Wokingham.Today, Cllr John Halsall said: “It is necessary to correct the misleading and potentially dangerous impression given by the front page article.
“Contrary to the headline, the current domestic abuse service is not ‘failing victims’ nor is there a ‘lack of refuge for those fleeing homes’ – in fact, this inaccurate claim is particularly worrying as it may deter victims from leaving abusive situations.
“Refuge is provided to any borough resident who is fleeing domestic abuse without exception.
“In addition, our domestic abuse service is meeting all its statutory requirements – this is not a failing service.
“It would be perfectly reasonable for your newspaper to highlight areas where improvement is needed – but that is very different from the irresponsible suggestion that domestic abuse victims are being failed.”
How to get help
In a non-emergency, victims of domestic abuse can:
Call 101 or make a report on the Thames Valley Police website
Call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247
Contact Women’s Aid via: www.womensaid.org.uk
Call the Men’s Advice Line: 0808 8010327
Call Mankind, a helpline for male victims: 01823 334244
Call Galop, for members of the LGBT+ community: 0800 999 5428
Contact Victims First via: www.victims-first.org.uk
Call Flag DV for free legal advice for Domestic Abuse: 0800 731 0055
Call SAFE! For victims of crime aged 5 – 18: 0800 1337938
