Gloucestershire is to receive a consolidated package of support for victims of domestic abuse after the county council moved to allocate a total of £2.2 million in funding. The money combines government Domestic Abuse Duty Funding with previously unspent grants to maintain services running until 2032.
What the funding will cover
The proposals before the council’s Cabinet outline a continuation and strengthening of existing provision. Key areas identified for investment include:
- continued support in safe accommodation provided by Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Support Service (GDASS);
- funding for the county’s Places of Safety dispersed accommodation scheme, with trauma-informed and wellbeing support for children and young people;
- dedicated staffing to improve coordination between the council and partner organisations working on domestic abuse response.
Council papers say the allocation builds on existing services that have already enabled victims to access safe accommodation and specialist advice, while strengthening partnership working across agencies.
"Domestic abuse can have a devastating impact on victims, survivors and their families, and it is vital that people can access help when they need it most,"
The quotation above is attributed to Cllr Paul Hodgkinson, the Cabinet Member for Public Health, Communities and Fire, who emphasised that the funding will help maintain a strong network of support and ensure specialist services remain available.
Practical implications for residents
For residents, the package aims to safeguard the immediate availability of emergency and supported accommodation and to preserve services targeted at children and young people affected by domestic abuse. The funding will also keep in place roles that coordinate responses across the county’s statutory and voluntary partners, intended to make it easier for victims to navigate available help.
Council members will discuss the detailed spending plans at an upcoming Cabinet meeting before the funding is finalised. The council statement frames the move as a continuation rather than the establishment of new services, prioritising stability and joined-up delivery over the grant period.
| Amount | Purpose | Period |
|---|---|---|
| £2.2m | Safe accommodation, Places of Safety scheme, coordination posts | Until 2032 |
Anyone seeking support for domestic abuse in Gloucestershire should continue to use established local services such as GDASS and contact local authority channels for advice about safe accommodation and specialist support.
