HQN has put together this practical workshop to share and promote best practice. It is the opportunity to hear from specialists DAHA and FearFree plus a range of practitioners about what they are doing.

Domestic abuse takes many different forms. It is a pattern of behaviour on the part of the abuser designed to control their partner – physical, mental, financial. It can happen to anyone at any point in a relationship – from a partner, an ex partner or a family member.

It has been a growing problem since lock down – in terms of complexity, severity and frequency. The CSEW estimated:

• 4 million adults aged 16 years and over experienced domestic abuse in the year ending March 2022 (1.7 million women and 699,000 men) – approximately 5.0% of adults (6.9% women and 3.0% men)
• Of those who experienced partner abuse, 84.3% experienced non-physical abuse, 12.9% sexual assault and 20.8% stalking.

The Regulator for Social Housing has made it clear in the consumer standards currently out for consultation – providers have a key part to play in tackling domestic abuse.

Registered providers must:

• Work co-operatively with other agencies tackling domestic abuse and enable tenants to access appropriate support and advice

• Have a policy for how they respond to cases of domestic abuse

• Co-operate with appropriate local authority departments to support the local authority in meeting its duty to develop a strategy and commission services for victims of domestic abuse and their children within safe accommodation.

The workshop will cover all the key aspects of domestic abuse:

• Recognising the diverse nature of domestic abuse
• Providing safe homes and safe places
• Dealing with perpetrators
• Staff training and support
• Working effectively with partners
• The benefits of DAHA accreditation.

It is essential for domestic abuse specialists as well as everyone working in operational roles including housing and tenancy management teams, lettings and allocations teams, customer services, ASB and enforcement teams. Everyone in a customer facing role and those working on policy and strategy.

10.30 Chair’s welcome and introduction

• • Chloe Fletcher, Director, HQN

10.35 Setting the scene – the importance of a multi-agency approach

• • Alison Ashton, DAHA National Programme Manager, DAHA – Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse

11.05 The perspective from a partner agency – FearFree

• • Claire Marshall, CEO, FearFree

11.35 Break

11.45 St Leger Homes’ approach focusing on issues accessing safe accommodation (locally and nationally), staff training and the role of the domestic abuse champion

• • Jane Davies, Head of Housing Management, St Leger Homes

  • Julie Jablonski, St Leger Homes

12.15 A tale of two sides – support services and a housing perspective

• • Joanna Evans, Director of Repairs and Maintenance, A2 Dominion

12.45 Break

12.55 Our DAHA accreditation journey

• • Charlotte Gibbons, Head of Sustainment and Support, Wolverhampton Homes

13.30 Close

Chloe Fletcher, Director, HQN

Chloe has worked in the social housing sector for over 25 years since her first role in housing management with JSS Pinnacle as a trainee housing officer. She completed a Masters in Housing with Professional Qualification at the London School of Economics in 1998 and then moved into housing policy, working on behalf of the London boroughs, initially for London Housing Unit and then London Councils. She joined the National Federation of ALMOs (NFA) in 2007 working with members, government officials and wider housing stakeholders to develop NFA policy and support the ALMO movement.  She has recently left her role as Policy Director at the NFA and joined HQN as Director, working across the business and bringing her knowledge and experience to the wider sector.

Alison Ashton, DAHA National Programme Manager, DAHA – Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse

Alison has 12 years experience of working in the domestic abuse sector, as a frontline IDVA and specialist domestic abuse service manager. Prior to joining DAHA (Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance) she spent 8 years managing the domestic abuse service and specialist domestic abuse housing service at Winner The Preston Road Women’s Centre in Hull. She has an in depth knowledge of the complexities of responding to domestic abuse and experience of managing the mirage of challenges in providing responsive and high quality housing services. Alison joined DAHA as their North Regional Lead and has been working with members and accredited providers around their identification and responses to domestic abuse. In her current role as DAHA National Programme Manager she plans to increase the membership offer and extend the accreditation across other housing tenures as well as working closely with the other housing teams at Standing Together.

Claire Marshall, CEO, FearFree

Claire is an experienced charity leader with almost 30 years in health and social care before joining FearFree in 2021. Claire started her career in fundraising and marketing in the Hospice sector in RNIB, followed by a decade at Cancer Research UK and has since held roles as Deputy CEO, CEO, Trustee and Chair in charities ranging from the Air Ambulance through to Hopsice care. Claire is a keen advocate of volunteering and currently serves two charities as a Trustee in her free time.

Born of personal experience of domestic abuse and stalking, Claire is passionate about FearFree supporting people in their most vulnerable moments and creating support networks to help people rebuild and live safe fulfilling lives.

Charlotte Gibbons, Head of Sustainment and Support, Wolverhampton Homes

Charlotte Gibbons is the Head of Sustainment and Support at Wolverhampton Homes, which is responsible for the management of 21,000 properties on behalf of the City of Wolverhampton Council.

Charlotte is passionate about supporting people, and uses her experience gained from almost 20 years in housing and earlier background in mental health services to foster wellbeing and stability in local communities. Leading a diverse service area which includes the Wolverhampton Home Improvement Agency and Telecare service, domestic abuse team and support for young people, Charlotte is a committed advocate for social housing and the benefits that high-quality support services can deliver for customers.

Jo Evans, Director of Repairs and Maintenance, A2 Dominion

Jo has 17 years of experience in the supported housing sector and has an MSc in Housing. She spent her first 13 years at Saxon Weald and joined A2Dominion in 2019 as the Head of Operations (Care and Support) where she focused on delivering new business and cultivating key partnerships to deliver high quality care and support services. She became the Director of Care and Support in 2021 and subsequently the Director of Specialist Housing in 2022 whereby she additionally managed the Groups portfolio of Keyworker, Student, PRS and Enhanced Housing Management. In January 2024, Jo was appointed the Groups Director of Repairs and Maintenance.

Jane Davies, Head of Housing Management, St Leger Homes

Julie Jablonski, St Leger Homes

If you are unable to attend an event or public training course, please let us know in writing (email is fine) at least 48 hours before. Please email [email protected]

Otherwise, a cancellation fee of £60 plus VAT will be chargeable.

If you are using a package place to attend and do not inform us within the agreed time frame, then a place will be taken to cover your non-attendance.

Cancellations must be made in writing, and will be acknowledged by HQN Limited.