ST Statement on Local Connection
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To book any of the Cambridgeshire workshops please email Nikki.Zeferino@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
To book any of the National workshops, please email j.vickress@standingtogether.org.uk
Participants in our training courses are expected to:
We acknowledge that on occasions there may be a need to cancel your enrolment and are unable to attend a course; you may nominate someone else from your organisation to attend in your place. Please notify us of this change so that we can update our records.
If you are unable to attend and would prefer to postpone, we may be able to offer you a place on another course that takes place within 12 months from the original date.
If you cancel your booking the following charges will apply:
Time of cancellation |
Refund |
More than 14 days |
Full, minus 10% administration fee |
7 to 14 days |
50% refund |
Less than 7 days |
No refund |
Non-Attendance |
No Refund |
For any of the above changes, please contact us
Please note that we operate a different cancellation policy for bookings made by organisations for their staff team.
The cancellation policy applies to both online and in-room courses.
If, due to not having the minimum number of learners required to deliver the course, we will postpone and reschedule the course to a later date within a 12-month period. We will notify learners at least 14 days in advance of the course delivery date.
If, for unforeseen circumstances there may be a need to cancel and this is not rescheduled, the individual booking onto the course will be offered a full refund.
Level – Intermediate
(DAHA can offer an additional half-day foundation course that can upskill or refresh Champions if requested)
This course is for:
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
Course Duration:
This course contains 2 modules and is split over 2 mornings (7 hours total).
DAHA require Champions to schedule a meeting between the 2 Modules (organised and facilitated internally) to review the resource pack and familiarise themselves with their domestic abuse procedure ahead of Module 2
Before you book this training, please ensure you meet the following criteria
Cost:
Group booking of 20 Delegates or less: £2,000
(This course cannot exceed 20 delegates)
This excludes the DAHA Membership discount (5% Affiliated Members, 10% Accredited/Accreditation Members)
(DAHA Training courses are exempt of VAT)
Level – Beginner/refresher
This course is for:
Teams who interact with residents’ face to face, make home visits and have an opportunity to safely ask about domestic abuse e.g.- housing officers/neighbourhood teams
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
Course Structure:
This course contains 3 modules and is split over 3 mornings (10.5 hours total).
Delegates must attend all 3 mornings to meet the learning outcomes and receive their CPD certificate.
Training costs:
Group booking of 20 Delegates or less: £2,800
£140 per additional delegate - Maximum 25 delegates per course
Open courses will become available to book in 2023
(DAHA Training courses are exempt of VAT)
This excludes the DAHA Membership discount (5% Affiliated Members, 10% Accredited/Accreditation Members)
Level – Beginner/refresher
This course is for:
Teams who take calls from residents and have an opportunity to identify domestic abuse over the phone, safely ask and pass concerns on to the relevant team/agency
e.g – phone-based customer service teams, call centre teams.
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
Course Structure:
This course contains 2 modules and is split over 2 mornings (7 hours total).
Delegates must attend both mornings to meet the learning outcomes and receive their CPD certificate.
Training costs:
Group booking of 20 Delegates or less: £2,000
£100 per additional delegate - Maximum 25 delegates per course
Open courses will become available to book in 2023
(DAHA Training courses are exempt of VAT)
This excludes the DAHA Membership discount (5% Affiliated Members, 10% Accredited/Accreditation Members)
Level – Beginner/refresher
This course is for:
Frontline homelessness professionals working with survivor/victims experiencing multiple disadvantages, across a range of homelessness support settings e.g., supported accommodation, outreach teams, assessment centres and Housing First teams.
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
Course Structure:
This course contains 2 modules and is split over 2 mornings (7 hours total).
Delegates must attend both mornings to meet the learning outcomes and receive their CPD certificate.
Training costs:
Group booking of 20 Delegates or less: £1,100
£55 per additional delegate - Maximum 25 delegates per course
Open courses will become available to book in 2023
(DAHA Training courses are exempt of VAT)
This excludes the DAHA Membership discount (5% Affiliated Members, 10% Accredited/Accreditation Members)
This foundation-level course is the first step to upskilling your response to domestic abuse. This course will help you to identify coercive and controlling behaviours and consider the impact of living with abuse from a partner, ex-partner or family member.
Ever wondered why so many people are coerced into abusive relationships? Interested to learn more about why it is so hard to leave an abusive relationship? This course will explore the tactics that perpetrators often use to create dependency, manipulate and control the victim/survivor.
72% of DHR's recommended raising awareness about domestic abuse to staff
This course will cover:
Who is this course for?
(Please note – This is an awareness course and will not give you the skills and tools to safely ask customers about domestic abuse and how to validate, assess and take action. If you have a customer facing role, it is best practice that you attend further training on responding to domestic abuse)
18 May 2023
Yesterday, the long-awaited Renter’s Reform Bill had its first reading in Parliament, fulfilling many of the ambitions set out within the Renter’s Reform White Paper, to ‘reset the balance of rights and responsibilities between tenants and landlords’. The most prominent and welcomed aspect of the bill is the end of Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions, which has caused housing insecurity and homelessness for many private renters, including victims of domestic abuse living in the private rented sector (PRS).
There are now more victims of domestic abuse living in the PRS than ever before, in part due to the growth of the PRS, but also due to a significant lack of social housing, with many victims of domestic abuse having no other choice but to take on PRS tenancies, which have often been insecure, unaffordable, and, unsafe. In the context of a cost-of-living crisis, including soaring rents, and local housing allowance rates that do not meet rental demands, many victims of domestic abuse (many of whom are single women with children) are placed in positions of great hardship and the risk of homelessness, in addition to the ever-present threat of harm and homicide.
By removing Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions, and the government’s commitment to take future action to address discrimination against tenants with children, we hope victims of domestic abuse will face fewer housing barriers to achieving safety. However, we continue to be concerned that this will be undermined by the changes proposed within the bill to make it easier for landlords to evict on grounds of anti-social behaviour (ASB) and rent arrears. This includes, broadening the discretionary ASB ground for eviction to ‘’any behaviour capable of causing nuisance or annoyance’’ as well as introducing a new mandatory ground for repeat serious arrears, as detailed within the White Paper.
Victims of domestic abuse are significantly more likely to have ASB complaints made against, often due to the misidentification of domestic abuse as ASB. Victims of domestic abuse are also more likely to be in rent arrears, both as a direct result of economic abuse, and due to the economic and practical burden of fleeing abuse and becoming homeless, often with their children (victims of domestic abuse in their own right). With no proposed safeguards in place to protect victims of domestic abuse from evictions related to domestic abuse, we fear this will lead to harm and homelessness. As a result, victims of domestic abuse may become more dependent on their abuser and make it even more difficult to leave.
We have worked closely alongside the DAHA-led National Housing and Domestic Abuse Policy and Practice Group to publish a detailed briefing on the impact of the proposed changes through the RRB on victims of domestic abuse in cases of ASB. We make clear recommendations for how the government can safeguard victims of domestic abuse and other vulnerable tenants, including those at risk of other forms of abuse or exploitation or in need of health or social care support. These recommendations included:
We look forward to further scrutinising the bill, which will undoubtedly lead to further recommendations from our National Group, particularly in the areas of rent arrears. We want to work with sector partners, government, and parliamentarians to ensure the bill works to protect all renters, which must include victims of domestic abuse living in the PRS who already face far too many barriers to safety and housing insecurity.
For more information and any press enquiries, please contact the DAHA National Group Chair and Senior Housing Manager, Deidre Cartwright, by emailing: d.cartwright@standingtogether.org.uk
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Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse & DAHA respond to the Prime Minister's Announcement on removing the local connection test for survivors.
We welcome the Prime Minister’s announcement at the Labour Party Conference this week that domestic abuse victims will now have the right to apply for social housing in any local authority across the country for life.
A home isn’t always a safe place. For many survivors escaping abuse means leaving their local authority area to be safe. We have long highlighted the inconsistency between local authorities across England in meeting their obligations to house women fleeing domestic abuse from another local area.
Guidance alone is not sufficient to address this issue. We have been advocating for a statutory bar on local authorities imposing local connection restrictions or ‘residency requirements’ within their homelessness duties and housing allocations policies for survivors. These frequently and disproportionately harm those escaping domestic abuse, often forcing them to remain in unsafe situations. By eliminating these barriers, we can ensure that survivors have choices and greater access to the vital resources they need to rebuild their lives.
Our response to the previous government’s consultation on local connection submitted in May 2022, highlighted how these requirements limit the choices and opportunities available to survivors. The announcement from the Prime Minister yesterday aligns with our vision for a more compassionate and effective housing policy. It is a significant step for survivors face when they seek safe and stable housing.
We call on Government to implement this swiftly. Local authorities must be equipped to support survivors to access the housing they need. Standing Together, we can and must create safer, supportive environments for those who experience domestic abuse.
Cherryl Henry-Leach
Chief Executive Officer,
Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse
Press Release
We call on the Government to protect survivors of domestic abuse and all vulnerable tenants in the upcoming Renters’ Rights Bill
The National Housing and Domestic Abuse Policy and Practice Group ("the Group" brings together experts from the housing, domestic abuse, and violence against women and girls’ (VAWG) sectors from commissioning, charity, and policy perspectives. We support statutory agencies, government departments, and the private sector to deliver safe and suitable housing for survivors of domestic abuse.
As the UK Government prepares to introduce the Renters’ Rights Bill later today, there is so much to welcome, we await to see the details and the Group is urging the Government to ensure that any new legislation considers and adequately protects survivors of domestic abuse. While the proposed Bill includes important measures to strengthen tenant protections, we highlight the critical need for specific provisions to address the unique challenges faced by domestic abuse survivors.
We support the ending of all unfair evictions, making renting safer, and ensuring affordability. However, we stress that tackling rising rents, scrapping Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions, and enforcing stronger standards must also include specific safeguards for survivors of domestic abuse. This includes preventing the misuse of ASB complaints as a tool to evict those fleeing abuse.
In our submission to the previous government’s Renters (Reform) Public Bill Committee, we emphasised that domestic abuse survivors are three times more likely to have an Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) complaint lodged against them. Misidentifying domestic abuse as ASB can lead to unjust evictions, further endangering survivors. We call on the government to adequately address this issue within the new legislative framework.
DAHA with the Group also welcomes the government’s proposals to strengthen local authorities’ enforcement powers and establish a new ombudsman service. However, we urge that these measures be complemented by increased support for survivors, including better access to legal aid and resources for local authorities to uphold tenants’ rights effectively.
As the Renters’ Rights Bill progresses, DAHA will continue to advocate for the protection and empowerment of domestic abuse survivors, ensuring they are not left vulnerable within the private rented sector. The Government must grab this opportunity to create a fair, safe, and supportive housing environment for all renters, particularly the most vulnerable.
We very much look forward to seeing the details of the new Bill and to working with the Government on the details so that the Group can be confident that every victim/survivor of domestic abuse can access safe and secure housing.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Judith Vickress
Head of Housing
Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse
j.vickress@standingtogether.org.uk
About Standing Together and DAHA:
The Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA) is part of the Housing Team programmes within Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse, a national charity bringing communities together to end domestic abuse. The DAHA Programme is dedicated to improving the housing sector’s response to domestic abuse. Through accreditation, training, and advocacy, DAHA works to ensure that every survivor of domestic abuse can access safe and secure housing.
18 May 2023
Yesterday, the long-awaited Renters Reform Bill had its first reading in Parliament, fulfilling many of the ambitions set out within the Renters Reform White Paper, to ‘reset the balance of rights and responsibilities between tenants and landlords’. The most prominent and welcomed aspect of the bill is the end of Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions, which has caused housing insecurity and homelessness for many private renters, including victims of domestic abuse living in the private rented sector (PRS).
There are now more victims of domestic abuse living in the PRS than ever before, in part due to the growth of the PRS, but also due to a significant lack of social housing, with many victims of domestic abuse having no other choice but to take on PRS tenancies, which have often been insecure, unaffordable, and, unsafe. In the context of a cost-of-living crisis, including soaring rents, and local housing allowance rates that do not meet rental demands, many victims of domestic abuse (many of whom are single women with children) are placed in positions of great hardship and the risk of homelessness, in addition to the ever-present threat of harm and homicide.
By removing Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions, and the government’s commitment to take future action to address discrimination against tenants with children, we hope victims of domestic abuse will face fewer housing barriers to achieving safety. However, we continue to be concerned that this will be undermined by the changes proposed within the bill to make it easier for landlords to evict on grounds of anti-social behaviour (ASB) and rent arrears. This includes, broadening the discretionary ASB ground for eviction to ‘’any behaviour capable of causing nuisance or annoyance’’ as well as introducing a new mandatory ground for repeat serious arrears, as detailed within the White Paper.
Victims of domestic abuse are significantly more likely to have ASB complaints made against, often due to the misidentification of domestic abuse as ASB. Victims of domestic abuse are also more likely to be in rent arrears, both as a direct result of economic abuse, and due to the economic and practical burden of fleeing abuse and becoming homeless, often with their children (victims of domestic abuse in their own right). With no proposed safeguards in place to protect victims of domestic abuse from evictions related to domestic abuse, we fear this will lead to harm and homelessness. As a result, victims of domestic abuse may become more dependent on their abuser and make it even more difficult to leave.
We have worked closely alongside the DAHA-led National Housing and Domestic Abuse Policy and Practice Group to publish a detailed briefing on the impact of the proposed changes through the RRB on victims of domestic abuse in cases of ASB. We make clear recommendations for how the government can safeguard victims of domestic abuse and other vulnerable tenants, including those at risk of other forms of abuse or exploitation or in need of health or social care support. These recommendations included:
We look forward to further scrutinising the bill, which will undoubtedly lead to further recommendations from our National Group, particularly in the areas of rent arrears. We want to work with sector partners, government, and parliamentarians to ensure the bill works to protect all renters, which must include victims of domestic abuse living in the PRS who already face far too many barriers to safety and housing insecurity.
For more information and any press enquiries, please contact the DAHA National Group Chair and Senior Housing Manager, Deidre Cartwright, by emailing: d.cartwright@standingtogether.org.uk
Today, our DAHA-led National Housing & Domestic Abuse Policy & Practice Group published a joint briefing on domestic abuse and the Renters (Reform) Bill, in hopeful anticipation of its second reading in parliament.
While we support several aspects of the bill, we remain greatly concerned that proposed changes to anti-social behaviour and repeat rent arrears eviction grounds will place victims of domestic abuse at a greater risk of harm and homelessness. As a result, victims of domestic abuse may become more dependent on their abuser and face greater barriers to leaving.
In our briefing we make clear recommendations for how the government can ensure victims of domestic abuse are not placed at risk of eviction because of their experiences of domestic abuse, due to rent arrears and the misidentification of domestic abuse as anti-social behaviour.
Please read and share our briefing, support our recommendations, and raise the profile of this important issue.
Briefing link: https://www.dahalliance.org.uk/media/11293/renters-reform-bill-briefing_june23.pdf
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