July 2020 | Page 12

DOMESTIC ABUSE SAFEGUARDING The lockdown has forced services providing domestic abuse support to become even more resourceful and innovative, says Miranda Hawtrey Working in a setting supporting those with addiction issues and complex needs is always a delicate balancing act. But when the coronavirus outbreak swept through the UK in March 2020, the team at Jane’s Place in Burnley had an extra challenge on their hands. Jane’s Place is a somewhat unique service established in 2017 by SafeNet Domestic Abuse Support Services, who provide domestic abuse support to women, men and children. They are also the lead providers for Lancashire Refuges. Jane’s Place is the only one of its kind in the North West – not only does it help to support women who are fleeing from all forms of domestic abuse, but it also breaks down barriers often posed by traditional refuge. A lack of appropriate accommodation and support for women and families with complex needs who need to escape from domestic abuse often results in outcomes such as women returning or staying with the perpetrator, escalating risk and coping strategies such as increased substance use, a lack of trust in services and sofa surfing, which often results in rough sleeping. A MAMMOTH TASK The challenge of implementing safety measures and managing the extra risk posed by lockdown in this kind of specialist environment has been a mammoth task, and the team knew they had to adapt the service fast to ensure they could keep everyone involved safe and continue to support their residents. They started by expanding and increasing their safehouse provision to provide safe spaces for those residents who were shielding, showing symptoms and needing to self-isolate. Those with serious drug and alcohol use issues and/ or sex working women who found it impossible to adhere to the government guidelines had to be kept safe regardless of whether or not they were able to comply, and the team achieved this by use of separate safehouse facilities with specialist intensive floating support. Each individual resident had an emergency COVID plan created and tailored to meet their needs. Along with various other measures, such as extra cleaning, PPE and updating residents and checking in to make sure they knew what the guidelines ‘Jane’s Place is the only one of its kind in the North West – not only does it help to support women who are fleeing from all forms of domestic abuse, but it also breaks down barriers often posed by traditional refuge.’ were, the team quickly pivoted the service to offer as much flexibility and support as possible. This hasn’t come without its setbacks. The team have faced difficulties accessing help from outside agencies that would usually support residents, and accessing healthcare has been made much more difficult by skeleton staff in other agencies and lack of GP appointments. The residents also voiced that they were missing group work; the need for connection during their journey plays a big part in recovery. Jane’s Place is named in memory of Jane Clough, who was killed by her ex-partner in 2010. Jane’s parents, John and Penny Clough (pictured), are now SafeNet patrons. GETTING CREATIVE Alongside the practical solutions – with staff members collecting methadone for residents daily and assisting with non-molestation orders received via court sessions 12 • DRINK AND DRUGS NEWS • JULY/AUGUST 2020 WWW.DRINKANDDRUGSNEWS.COM