Council housing team wins national standard for supporting domestic abuse survivors

Birmingham City Council's housing team has received national recognition for the way it supports survivors of domestic abuse, and is already aiming higher.

The team has been awarded the bronze standard by the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance, which sets the UK benchmark for how housing providers should respond to domestic abuse. The council says it plans to apply for silver status next.

What bronze means

To achieve the standard, the council had to show that it:

• has strong policies and procedures in place to offer the right support;
• works closely with partners to offer a range of routes to help;
• has trained its staff to support survivors; and
• puts survivors at the centre of how it works.

Staying safe at home, or moving on

Assessors highlighted the council's commitment to helping survivors stay safely in their own homes when that is what they want, through Sanctuary Schemes, extra security measures and civil orders. They also recognised the help available to survivors who choose to move, including support with housing options and finances.

"Domestic abuse can be a big driver of homelessness," said Councillor Baber Baz, Cabinet Member for Housing.

He said that because the two issues are so closely linked, it matters that the housing team is supporting survivors both for their wellbeing and for their access to a safe home. He thanked the staff who had worked to achieve the standard and said the ambition was to reach silver "as soon as possible".

If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you can contact the council's housing options service or the National Domestic Abuse Helpline, free and at any time, on 0808 2000 247. In an emergency, call 999.