Walsall Council to spend £900k on tackling abuse

Families and young people will be given extra support under the plans unveiled by Walsall Council.

Bosses plan to set aside £860,000 from the 2016/17 budget to fund additional advisors who will work to stop problems before they arise.

At present, people suffering from domestic abuse in the borough can access help through five independent domestic violence advisers employed by the council.

For younger people there is only a single independent adviser.

There are also volunteer staff and third sector groups, such as Ainna or Walsall Black Sisters, who can offer help or advice.

The council are planning to use the £860,000 to try and increase support to voluntary sector staff, train current staff, develop prevention programmes for families showing early signs of being affected by the 'toxic trio' and gain industry expertise on how to tackle the issue.

The long term aim of the plans is to reduce the number of looked after children in the borough, as well as removing three agency social worker posts by 2018.

In 2014/15, there were 5,629 referrals made to the council's children's social care team, of which 3,966 were due to neglect, behaviour or domestic abuse.

In the same period of time, 2734 cases were referred to the Domestic Abuse Referral Team.

A report by Assistant Director Early Help Andrea Potts said: "The 2016/17 draft budget includes an £860,000 'invest to save' proposal aimed at reducing and mitigating the impact of 'toxic trio' in Walsall enabling families to exercise choice in their lives, challenging the behaviour of perpetrators and reducing the need for children to become looked after.

"It is considered that taking action with the evidence that exists to strengthen the help to children and families impacted by the 'toxic trio' is preferable to taking no action."

"The proposed strengthening of help available to children and families impacted by domestic abuse, parental mental ill health and parental substance misuse is intended to minimise the risk of harm to children and improving their future learning, behaviour, health and life chances."

An urgent review has been called for in Walsall in a bid to combat child poverty in the borough after figures revealed thousands were affected.

Within the Walsall borough there are around 16,000 children living in poverty, a figure which is feared will rise in the face of impending welfare reforms planned by central government.

Three borough councillors have put forward a notion to the borough council asking officers to look at what can be done to tackle the problem.