Independent Domestic Violence Adviser Service IDVA

The Provider will provide an Independent Domestic Violence Adviser Service (IDVA) to all high-risk MARAC domestic violence/abuse victims in Liverpool. Working within a Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) framework outlined by Safe Lives (Definition of MARAC) A MARAC is a meeting where information is shared on the high-risk domestic abuse cases between representatives of local police, health, child protection, housing practitioners, Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs), probation and other specialists from the statutory and voluntary sectors. After sharing all relevant information, they have about a victim, the representatives discuss options for increasing the safety of the victim and turn these into a coordinated action plan. The primary focus of the MARAC is to safeguard the adult victim. The MARAC will also make links with other for a to safeguard children and manage the behaviour of the perpetrator.

The service will be flexible to ensure sustainability and development in line with possible budget changes throughout the contract term. The IDVA Service received almost 2,000 referrals in 2020-21, over 1250 clients accepted some form of support. The level of service provision to clients would therefore need to be flexed in line with any budget changes.

The service will increase safety reduce the long-term impact to victims and improve outcomes. The Provider will adopt a whole family approach to risk management by working in partnership with relevant organisation's to enable support for children and perpetrators where possible.

The Provider will support Police Operations including Domestic Violence Prevention Orders (DVPO's) and Domestic Violence Prevention Notices (DVPN's), Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVPS commonly known as Claire's Law).and will participate in DVIOM (Domestic Violence Integrated Management) processes and meeting arrangements for clients they are supporting.

The Provider will work within the agreed MARAC structure, MARAC Combined Protocol (MARAC Operating and Information Sharing Protocol) and support the development of MARAC through participation in the MARAC Steering Group.

The Provider will support the implementation of the Liverpool Domestic Abuse Strategy and Action Plan including wider VAWG issues e.g., gang association, CSE and harmful practices.

The Provider will support and participate in Liverpool Domestic Homicide Reviews and will support sharing learning from reviews in addition to delivering training and awareness of domestic abuse to partner organisation's using a variety of face to face, web based and social media platforms.

The Provider will have regard for the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 and will flex services to support the Local Authority to meet the Duty associated with the Act.