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National Strategy to Address Domestic Abuse in Scotland

standards

SERVICE STANDARDS

These service standards have been prepared in order to identify the basic aspects of services which should be provided, through services working together, which should be available to women or children who experience domestic abuse. It is envisaged that these are the standards which areas should work towards and which should be displayed publicly when they can be met.

SERVICE STANDARDS FOR WOMEN/CHILDREN EXPERIENCING DOMESTIC ABUSE

Women or children in this area who experience domestic abuse have a right to expect that . . .

• Services will be provided in accordance with recognised good practice;

• Services will be provided to meet the specific needs of particular groups of women or children, including women/children in rural areas, disabled women/children and women/children from black and minority ethnic groups;

• Specific support will be provided to meet children's needs;

• Refuge places will be made available to all of those who require these;

• Specific outreach support will be available to all of those who require this;

• Access to specific support will be available on a 24 hour basis;

• Information will be provided relating to services which are available in this area, and will be provided in a range of formats;

• Women/children will have access to staff who understand domestic abuse, who have received training and who can provide an appropriate response;

• Domestic abuse will always be taken seriously and, in providing services to women or children who allege that they have experienced domestic abuse, it will be presumed that they have experienced domestic abuse;

• Emergency needs for safety will be met immediately or assistance provided in identifying a service which can meet these needs;

• Appropriate support will be provided by the service in a sensitive and understanding manner;

• Women/children will be seen alone, without the perpetrator;

• Where a service cannot be provided, women or children will be referred to another service, or will be provided with the information to allow them to make contact with another service;

• Services will be provided on a confidential basis, the need for privacy respected and women/children will always be informed where information will be shared;

• Women or children can request a female member of staff and to be seen in a quiet and private space;

• Facilities will be provided for childcare to allow discussion with women alone;

• Services will be provided in buildings which are physically accessible to women and children with a range of needs, including wheelchair users, and where buildings are not currently accessible, arrangements will be made for other forms of provision;

• Sign language and other interpreters will be made available, as required;

• A named contact will be provided within the service;

• Information will be provided in terms of actions taken and outcomes;

• Appropriate records will be kept relating to the contact with women/children which they can use where there is a need for evidence;

• The views of women/children who have experienced domestic abuse will be sought in the development of services to address domestic abuse.

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