Fourteenth Report Contents
Appendix 4: Domestic Abuse Support (Relevant Accommodation and Housing Benefit and Universal Credit Sanctuary Schemes) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (SI 2021/991)
Additional information from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (now the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
Q1: Paragraph 7.1 of the EM: What are “dispersed accommodation” and “second stage accommodation”?
A1: There is a statutory guidance document which is being published in time for the commencement of the Regulations which gives detailed descriptions of these types of accommodation
- Dispersed accommodation is safe (secure and dedicated to supporting victims of domestic abuse) which is
- self-contained accommodation with a similar level of specialist domestic abuse support as provided within a refuge but which may be more suitable for victims who are unable to stay in a refuge with communal spaces, and/or where peer support from other residents may not be appropriate, due to complex support needs, or where older teenage sons cannot be accommodated in a women only refuge, for example. Where two or more units share any part of the accommodation, including shared hallways or access routes, provision should be single gender or single sex.
- self-contained ‘semi-independent’ accommodation which is not within a refuge but with support for victims who may not require the intensive support offered through refuge, but are still at risk of abuse from their perpetrator/s. Where two or more units share any part of the accommodation, including shared hallways or access routes, provision should be single gender or single sex.
- Second Stage Accommodation: This is accommodation temporarily provided to victims, including their children, who are moving on from other forms of relevant accommodation and/or who no longer need the intensive level of support provided in a refuge, but would still benefit from a lower level of domestic abuse specific support for a period before they move to fully independent and settled accommodation. Where second stage accommodation is in shared housing it should be single gender or single sex. There is no expectation that every victim will require this. Many victims are ready to move straight to a settled new home from refuge. However, second stage accommodation (sometimes known as ‘move-on’) may be helpful in some cases.
Q2: Paragraph 7.6: Could you provide some examples of persons acting in an official capacity who could provide written evidence? How easy is it for claimants to obtain such written evidence or is this a potential obstacle to making a claim, especially if claimants find themselves in a crisis situation?
A2: ‘person acting in an official capacity’ is defined in the regulations:
- “person acting in an official capacity” means a health care professional, a police officer, a registered social worker, the victim’s employer, a representative of the victim’s trade union, or any public, voluntary, or charitable body which has had direct contact with the victim in connection with domestic violence
- And within that
- “registered social worker” means a person registered as a social worker in a register maintained by—
- Social Work England;. Social Care Wales; The Scottish Social Services Council; or the Northern Ireland Social Care Council;
- Any person who has received support from a sanctuary scheme will have had contact with a person who meets this definition and could ask for them to provide this confirmation
27 September 2021