1.3 Describe the role of statutory agencies and government departments involved in the response to domestic abuse

This guide will help you answer 1.3 Describe the role of statutory agencies and government departments involved in the response to domestic abuse.

Domestic abuse is a serious issue affecting people across the UK. It includes physical violence, emotional harm, financial control, coercion and sexual abuse between people in close relationships. The response to domestic abuse involves statutory agencies and government departments working together to protect victims, support recovery and take action against offenders. Each organisation has a specific role and responsibility within this framework.

Police Services

The police are often the first statutory agency to respond to domestic abuse incidents. Their role is to protect victims, investigate crimes and bring offenders to justice.

Key police responsibilities include:

• Attending reports of domestic abuse quickly
• Assessing risk to victims and children
• Arresting suspects where evidence supports this
• Gathering witness statements and physical evidence
• Offering immediate safety advice

The police work under laws such as the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 and the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. They can issue Domestic Violence Protection Notices (DVPNs) and apply for Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPOs) to keep suspected abusers away from victims’ homes temporarily.

Police forces often have specialist domestic abuse units. These teams are trained to manage sensitive cases, offer victim support and liaise with other agencies like social services.

Local Authority Social Services

Social services play a central role when domestic abuse affects families, especially where there are children involved. Their main function is to safeguard children and vulnerable adults.

Key functions include:

• Assessing the needs of victims and their families
• Creating Child Protection Plans when children are at risk
• Providing support workers to assist with practical needs
• Coordinating housing support or refuge accommodation

Social workers are trained to work closely with victims, offering emotional support and helping them access legal advice, counselling or substance abuse services where relevant. They also attend multi-agency meetings to ensure coherent support plans.

The NHS and Health Services

Health services respond to domestic abuse by treating physical injuries and addressing emotional and psychological harm. The NHS includes GPs, hospitals, midwives and mental health services in its network.

Responsibilities within the NHS include:

• Identifying signs of abuse during consultations or examinations
• Recording concerns in medical notes
• Offering referrals to counselling or specialist domestic abuse support
• Ensuring safeguarding measures for children and vulnerable adults
• Providing emergency treatment

Health professionals are often trusted by victims, making them well placed to encourage disclosure of abuse. Many NHS trusts have domestic abuse specialist nurses who advise staff and support victims.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)

The CPS is responsible for prosecuting domestic abuse cases after police investigations. They decide whether evidence is strong enough to bring the case to court and manage the prosecution process.

Their role includes:

• Reviewing evidence and witness statements
• Advising the police on further investigation needs
• Preparing legal arguments in court
• Supporting victims through the legal process with the aid of Witness Care Units

CPS guidance ensures consistent handling of domestic abuse cases, with special consideration for victim safety and the use of special measures such as giving evidence behind a screen.

The Courts

Courts deal with both criminal and civil cases related to domestic abuse. Criminal courts handle charges against perpetrators, while civil courts hear cases relating to protection orders and family arrangements.

Functions of the courts include:

• Granting non-molestation orders
• Issuing occupation orders to control who can live in the family home
• Handing down sentences for criminal offences related to abuse
• Determining child contact arrangements where abuse is a factor

Family courts place the welfare of children first when domestic abuse is an issue. They use evidence from statutory agencies to make decisions.

The Home Office

The Home Office is the government department responsible for domestic abuse policy. Its work shapes national strategies and funding priorities.

Responsibilities include:

• Developing laws on domestic abuse
• Funding refuge spaces and support programmes
• Coordinating national awareness campaigns
• Collecting data on incidence and trends

Through policy development, the Home Office works closely with police, local authorities and charities to strengthen victim protection and offender accountability.

The Ministry of Justice

The Ministry of Justice oversees the court system and probation services. In domestic abuse cases, it helps set the rules and guidance for legal proceedings and offender supervision.

Main roles include:

• Managing legal aid funding for victims
• Ensuring courts have resources to handle abuse cases swiftly
• Overseeing probation work with offenders, including rehabilitation programmes

This department also plays a part in developing specialist domestic abuse courts, which aim to streamline hearings and provide better victim support.

Probation Services

Probation officers manage offenders who have been convicted of domestic abuse offences. They protect the public by monitoring compliance with court orders and helping offenders address behaviour.

Duties include:

• Supervising offenders on community sentences and after prison release
• Running programmes designed to change abusive behaviour
• Working with other agencies to share information about risks

Their role is preventive as well as supervisory, aiming to reduce reoffending rates.

Housing Departments

Local authority housing departments assist victims of domestic abuse who need to leave their homes for safety. This can involve emergency accommodation or long-term housing solutions.

Responsibilities:

• Processing applications for emergency housing
• Coordinating safe relocation away from perpetrators
• Working with refuges and temporary housing providers
• Advising victims on housing rights under the Housing Act 1996 and the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017

Housing services are often a lifeline for victims escaping dangerous situations.

Education Services

Schools and colleges have safeguarding duties set out in government guidance such as “Keeping Children Safe in Education.” Teachers and pastoral staff can notice changes in behaviour or attendance linked to abuse at home.

Key tasks include:

• Logging and reporting concerns through safeguarding leads
• Providing emotional support for pupils affected by abuse
• Referring to children’s social services where needed

Education staff may be involved in multi-agency safeguarding meetings, contributing vital observations about a child’s wellbeing.

Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARACs)

While not a statutory agency themselves, MARACs bring together statutory agencies and other organisations to share information and create safety plans for high-risk victims.

Participants include:

• Police
• Social workers
• Health professionals
• Housing officers
• Independent Domestic Violence Advisers (IDVAs)

The aim of a MARAC is to reduce risk through coordinated action.

Government Departments and National Coordination

Domestic abuse response benefits from coordination between multiple government departments alongside the Home Office and Ministry of Justice. For example:

• Department of Health and Social Care promotes health sector involvement and funding for mental health support.
• Department for Education develops safeguarding training and school support resources.
• Local Government Association supports councils in implementing domestic abuse strategies.

These departments work together to deliver a coherent national response.

Challenges Faced by Statutory Agencies

Statutory agencies often face challenges in responding to domestic abuse. These can include:

• Limited resources
• Overstretched staff
• Victims unwilling to report abuse
• Complex family situations with multiple risks

Agencies address these challenges through training, specialist teams and formal partnership working.

Partnership Working

Effective response to domestic abuse depends on close cooperation between agencies. Information sharing protocols allow agencies to communicate without breaking confidentiality laws. Joint working increases the likelihood of protecting victims quickly.

Examples of partnership in action:

• Police informing social services of a domestic abuse arrest involving children
• Health services alerting the police where a victim’s injuries suggest serious harm
• Housing departments preparing safe accommodation before a victim leaves home

Statutory Agency Roles

Each agency’s work fits into a wider strategy aimed at protecting victims, preventing abuse and prosecuting offenders. Without the contribution of police, social services, health services and government departments, victims might not receive the protection or support they need.

Every role is connected. For example, police protection may lead to social services intervention, healthcare treatment and court action. Housing departments can secure accommodation which allows victims to live without fear. Probation officers can reduce the risk of offenders harming victims again.

Final Thoughts

Domestic abuse is complex and damaging. Victims often face multiple risks and need help with practical needs, emotional wellbeing and legal protection. Statutory agencies and government departments form the backbone of the UK’s response. They provide safety, justice and recovery opportunities.

Understanding each agency’s role helps health and social care workers refer victims to the right support. It also ensures that no part of the response is overlooked. By working together, these organisations can help break the cycle of abuse and give victims a chance to rebuild their lives.