FUNDING for more support services for domestic abuse survivors goes before councillors next week.

Brighton and Hove City Council is expecting £606,000 in government funding to help survivors and their children who are in safe accommodation.

The money comes from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), formerly the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government.

The government has provided £125 million to councils nationally as the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 requires councils in England to provide support to people experiencing domestic abuse and their children, including refuges and other safe accommodation.

In September, councillors agreed to a spending plan for more than £420,000 of the government cash, including money for Rise to continue its work supporting LGBTQ+ clients and more than £240,000 for the city’s refuge budget.

A report before the tourism, equalities, communities and culture committee meeting on Thursday 25 November proposes spending £170,000 on four services.

The report said: “The draft Pan-Sussex Strategy for Domestic Abuse Accommodation and Support 2021-2024 has identified several recommendations which would enhance Brighton and Hove’s service response for support in safe accommodation and strengthen the local response to domestic abuse.

“Specifically, appropriate move-on accommodation, floating support, availability of in-person assessments for housing and support services, availability of interpreters and BSL easily available for housing and support services.

Spending proposals are:

  • £70,000 on a sanctuary scheme providing security measures for those affected by domestic abuse who want to remain in their own home.
  • £30,000 on a flexible fund to provide short-term support to cover rent deposits, white goods and moving costs.
  • £10,000 Increased access to interpreters, including British Sign Language (BSL), to help survivors access support and accurate information.
  • £60,000″Floating support” providing ongoing support for people in safe accommodation, no matter how long they have been there.

Currently, Brighton and Hove has neither a sanctuary scheme or floating support for survivors.

The Pan Sussex Partnership project team is carrying out a needs assessment and has written the draft local strategy is currently on behalf of the city council and East and West Sussex County Councils.

The deadline for publishing is 5 January next year.

The draft strategy has six priorities:

  • Consistent and Collaborative- providing multi agency and partnership commissioning and working to ensure a consistent offer across Sussex
  • Diverse and Appropriate – providing a wide range of appropriate and safe accommodation and support options
  • Accessible and Inclusive – Ensuring all services are accessible to all victims/survivors and meet the specific needs of those with a full range of protected characteristics
  • Responsive to Multiple Disadvantage- Establishing specialist provision to support victims/survivors with Multiple Complex Needs
  • Victim Centered- Empowering victims/survivors to remain in their own home through choice
  • Trauma Informed – Embedding trauma informed practice in practice in service and practice through training and specialist knowledge

The tourism, equalities, communities and culture committee is due to meet at Hove Town Hall from 4pm on Thursday 25 November. The meeting is scheduled to be webcast on the council’s website.

Have you got a story for us? Email news@theargus.co.uk or contact us here.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news.

Sign up to our newsletter to get updates sent straight to your inbox.

You can also call us on 01273 021 400.