Jobcentres to increase support for women experiencing domestic abuse

Amber Rudd announces changes in how Universal Credit payments are made

DWP announces increased jobcentre support for domestic abuse victims

In an effort to combat domestic violence, every jobcentre in the UK will soon have a point of contact trained in spotting domestic abuse, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced.

On Thursday, the DWP said around 600 workers are currently undergoing specialist training from the organisation Women’s Aid to learn how to identify and support the needs of anyone experiencing domestic violence.

In addition to the training, the points of contact, who will be placed by the end of summer, will be working closely with local services to offer victims additional help or support.

Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd also announced new Universal Credit claims will receive automatic guidance directing payments to be made to the main carer’s account, in an effort to help domestic violence victims gain financial independence.

The announcement from Rudd comes after it was revealed that domestic abuse victims were at risk from controlling partners because their universal credit benefits were being paid into a shared bank account.

In January, a commitment was made to ensure the “welfare system works in the best interests of women,” the DWP said in a statement.

Of the latest steps to protect victims, Rudd said: “Domestic abuse is a despicable crime that often happens behind closed doors, making it incredibly difficult to detect. By ensuring there is a specially trained domestic abuse support officer in every UK jobcentre, we are increasing the likelihood that someone will spot the tell-tale signs and get support to the victim quickly.

“And with the automatic recommendation that payments are to go to the main carer, we’re making it easier for women to build the financial independence they need to leave their abuser.”

The minister for Family Support, Housing and Child Maintenance Will Quince also reiterated the importance of having trained staff capable of spotting domestic violence.

“It’s crucial that we work closely with experts to identify and support people who have experienced abuse. Drawing on the knowledge and expertise of Women’s Aid, we are equipping our staff with the training to spot the signs of abuse, and help vulnerable people to stabilise their lives,” Quince said.

According to the DWP, currently around 60 per cent of Universal Credit payments go to women within joint claims, who may be experiencing financial coercion.

Under the new rules, benefit payments will be directed to the primary carer of children in the household. Additional measures will also be in place to provide “assistance and support” to survivors, including “benefit easements and advance payments, as well as maintaining close links with local supported accommodation provision”.

Jacqui Kilburn, manager of the National Training Centre at Women’s Aid, said: “Women’s Aid has welcomed the opportunity to deliver training to DWP, ensuring approximately 600 Jobcentre Plus staff understand the devastating nature and harm caused by domestic - including economic - abuse.

“We now look forward to working with the Secretary of State to ensure every frontline work coach is trained to deliver the right response to survivors, and secure a welfare system that supports women and children experiencing domestic abuse.”’

Universal Credit is paid monthly, and previously only allowed claims to be split between partners in “exceptional circumstances”.

The latest statistics from the Crime Survey for England and Wales show “little change in the prevalence of domestic abuse in recent years”.

“In the year ending March 2018, an estimated 2m adults aged 16 to 59 years experienced domestic abuse in the last year,” the report states.