Redbridge Council Updates Housing Policies, Including Domestic Abuse Support

Redbridge Council has adopted four new council housing landlord policies, designed to formalise and strengthen its approach to housing management, tenant engagement, and compliance with the Regulator of Social Housing's Consumer Standards. These policies codify current good practices without introducing additional financial or staffing burdens.

Councillor Saima Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, introduced the policies, highlighting their alignment with corporate and regulatory obligations. The adopted policies include an updated Domestic Abuse Policy, an Anti-Social Behaviour Policy, an Engagement Strategy and Policy, and an Asset Management Strategy.

Domestic Abuse Policy

The updated Domestic Abuse Policy provides a trauma-informed framework for supporting survivors of domestic abuse residing in council housing. It prioritises safety, earlier notification, confidential reporting, and partnership working with specialist agencies. This policy applies to all tenants, leaseholders, and individuals approaching the council as homeless due to domestic abuse.

Key provisions within the policy strengthen the council's approach by emphasising a zero-tolerance stance and placing the safety of victims and their children at the heart of the response. It also outlines working with enforcement partners to manage perpetrator behaviour and considering tenancy enforcement or injunctions where appropriate. The policy mandates working with Redbridge's Domestic Abuse service, 'Reach Out', the Police, Social Care, and other agencies, and participating in multi-agency forums like MARAC (Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference) to share learning and improve practice.

To ensure tenants are aware of the support available, the policy states the council will offer a variety of confidential means to report domestic abuse, provide a non-judgemental environment, record concerns accurately, and assess immediate risks. Residents can self-refer to the Council's Reach Out domestic abuse service by phone or email. Staff will respond sensitively, and support may include safety planning, sanctuary scheme measures, advice on housing options, and referrals to specialist services.

Other Key Policies

The Council Housing Anti-Social Behaviour Policy sets out how the council will support tenants and leaseholders affected by ASB, investigate reports, and emphasises early intervention, victim-centered support, partnership working, and robust enforcement for serious cases. This policy aims to be more integrated with other ASB policies.

The Council Housing Engagement Strategy and Policy outlines how the council will listen and act on tenants' and leaseholders' views, promoting inclusiveness and co-creation of policies and service improvements. It also mentions using non-digital alternatives and targeted outreach.

The Council Housing Asset Management Strategy explains how the council uses data and intelligence to maintain safe, decent, and compliant homes. It sets out plans for repairs, capital works, and compliance with health and safety regulations, including regular reporting and action plans.

Alignment with Regulatory Standards

These policies align with the Regulator of Social Housing's Consumer Standards, which cover areas such as Safety and Quality, Transparency, Influence and Accountability, and Neighbourhood and Community. Specifically, the policies address requirements for tackling ASB and hate incidents, recognising and responding to domestic abuse, taking tenants' views into account in decision-making, and maintaining an accurate understanding of home conditions to ensure they are safe and well-maintained.

Measuring Effectiveness

The effectiveness of these new policies will be measured through various mechanisms. Data will be collected on ASB cases to monitor progress and outcomes against Key Performance Indicators, including Tenant Satisfaction Measures. Cases under the Domestic Abuse Policy will be monitored to track progress and ensure survivors continue to be supported, with trends observed to adjust support. For the Engagement Strategy, the number of tenants engaged will be recorded, and reporting will be produced on service improvements arising from engagement. The Asset Management Strategy includes a detailed action plan for measuring success and regular reporting on capital and cyclical programmes to senior officers and the Cabinet.

The committee agreed to note the updated policies.