Domestic Abuse Policy

Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (DASV) Policy Statement

Aquarius (which is a subsidiary of Waythrough) believes all persons have the right to live their lives free from violence and abuse. 

We are committed to safeguarding and protecting everyone who we come into contact with within the course of our work. 

We will: 

• Uphold our duty to protect individuals at risk and in need of safeguarding who are identified as either suffering, or likely to suffer, harm because of abuse or neglect. 
• Aim to create a safe environment at work and in its services, and to relay a strong message that DASV is unacceptable and that everyone has the right to live a life free from abuse raising awareness of DASV amongst its workforce and to providing guidance for employees and managers to empower them to address any relevant issues and support those impacted by DASV.
• Ensure that all concerns and allegations of abuse are taken seriously and responded to appropriately. 
• Operate in line with all applicable legislation. 
• Record all allegations of abuse and alert external safeguarding bodies in line with local authority and national processes. 
• Work with the people accessing our services in ways that are transparent and supportive, providing information about domestic abuse and the resources and support available for both survivors and perpetrators. 
• Hold perpetrators of DASV to account and will ensure that appropriate disciplinary action is taken against the workforce who perpetrate DASV. 
• Ensure that those affected by DASV will receive appropriate, individualised support and protection. 
• Maintain safe recruitment practices including ensuring that the workforce has a DBS disclosure to the appropriate level. 
• Use best practice in the recruitment and training of workers, to ensure that we recruit workers with the skills and knowledge to provide high quality support to the people accessing our services. 
• Ensure our workforce are trained to the level of responsibilities of their role under this policy. 
• Strive to ensure that any workforce member who experiences DASV can raise the issue at work, without fear of stigmatisation or victimisation and will receive appropriate support and assistance to protect themselves, their children and dependents. 
• Work in partnership with colleagues in Social Care and the Police to ensure a prompt and effective response is provided to adults at risk of harm. 
• Ensure that no adult or group of adults will be treated any less favourably than others. We believe that all people without exception have the right to protection from abuse regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. 
• Treat safeguarding as a priority that is discussed within Aquarius at every level from team to Board.
• Review safeguarding data regularly to identify trends and support continuous improvement.