Bridgend County Borough Council has approved an extension of its domestic abuse services contract with Safer Merthyr Tydfil for 12 to 24 months, suspending procurement requirements to allow a fundamental review of the service. The decision was made at a cabinet meeting on June 23, following an audit that highlighted gaps in intervention and the pervasive impact of domestic abuse on children and families in the county.
Extent of Domestic Abuse in Child Protection Cases
According to a report presented to council members, domestic abuse was identified as a contributing factor in over 40% of cases where children were subject to child protection plans as of March 31, 2025. The report stated: “Domestic abuse continues to be a significant and recurring feature within safeguarding activity across the council.” Data from the ‘Becoming Looked After’ audit also revealed that domestic abuse was a consistent feature across families where children enter care, yet there was limited evidence of domestic abuse services being consistently accessed or embedded within care plans.
Review Aims for Preventative Model
The review, expected to take at least six months, aims to achieve a “whole-system change” that shifts from crisis response to a more preventative model of support. Deputy leader Jane Gebbie emphasized that the extension is not a criticism of current service delivery but a recognition that the service, while valued, is fragmented and demand exceeds capacity. She said: “Partners agree that a whole system redesign is needed but conducting a procurement exercise now would lock us in to a model that may change and divert resources away from the review itself.” The plan was approved unanimously by cabinet members.
