BHN Domestic Abuse Project strengthens homelessness prevention across the Scottish Borders

Borders Housing Network’s (BHN) Domestic Abuse Project has strengthened the way housing providers across the Scottish Borders respond to domestic abuse, helping identify abuse earlier, improve support for tenants and strengthen homelessness prevention through partnership working.

Funded through the Scottish Government’s Upstream Homelessness Prevention Fund, the project recognised the important role housing providers play in responding to domestic abuse and preventing homelessness. As housing providers are often the first point of disclosure for people experiencing abuse, the project focused on ensuring staff had the confidence, knowledge and tools to respond consistently, compassionately and effectively.

The project brought together it’s four-member Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) – Berwickshire Housing Association (BHA), Eildon Housing Association (EHA), Scottish Borders Housing Association (SBHA) and Waverley Housing (WH) supported by specialist advisers SafeLives and Addressing Domestic Abuse, to strengthen support for people experiencing domestic abuse.

It supported a more consistent approach to tackling domestic abuse across the BHN by reviewing policies and procedures, strengthening referral pathways, embedding trauma-informed practice and developing a four-tier training programme for staff.

More than 2,300 hours of training were delivered during the project, with close to 400 members of staff across the four housing associations completing domestic abuse training and trauma training. The report also highlights improved partnership working with specialist domestic abuse services, increased visibility of support for tenants and stronger multi-agency collaboration to ensure people receive the right support at the earliest opportunity.
The project also explored Cash First responses to reduce the risk of homelessness by recognising the impact of economic abuse and providing practical financial support, where appropriate.

Feedback from staff and partner organisations highlighted the difference the project has made in terms of confidence, strengthening relationships and creating a shared understanding of how housing services can support people experiencing domestic abuse.

Michelle Meldrum, Chief Executive at BHA said: ‘Domestic abuse is one of the leading causes of homelessness and housing providers have a vital role to play in identifying abuse early and ensuring people receive the right support before they reach crisis point.

‘Thanks to funding through the Scottish Government’s Upstream Homelessness Prevention Fund, we’ve been able to strengthen the way housing associations work together with specialist partners in the Scottish Borders to improve our response to domestic abuse.

‘This project has helped embed a more consistent, trauma-informed and person-centred approach across our organisations. By investing in our people, strengthening referral pathways and building closer relationships with our partners, we’re better equipped to support tenants with empathy, dignity and practical assistance while helping to prevent homelessness.’

While this phase of the project has come to an end, the work continues. BHN will build on the progress made to ensure early intervention, effective partnerships and trauma-informed practice remains at the heart of how we support tenants across the Scottish Borders.

View the full report > https://tinyurl.com/BHNDomesticAbuseProject