The six missions within the borough plan 2024-28 are underpinned by principles of prevention, partnership, community engagement, and data-driven decision-making. Shown below, they align closely with the aims of this Domestic Abuse Strategy and reflect the shared goals particularly in areas such as safeguarding, housing, health, and inclusion.

Mission	Focus
The Best Possible Start for Our Children and Young People	Focus on early years, education, safeguarding, and youth support.
Tackling Hardship and Poverty	Addresses financial insecurity, housing instability, and access to essential services.
Resilient People Living Their Best Lives	Promotes physical and mental health, wellbeing, and independence. Includes trauma-informed services and community-based support.
Opportunity in a Fair Local Economy	Supports inclusive growth, employment, and skills development.
Neighbourhood Pride	Focuses on safe, clean, and connected communities. Encourages civic engagement and local identity.
Greener Communities	Tackles climate change, promotes sustainability, and improves environmental quality. Includes energy-efficient housing and green infrastructure.

This Strategy is firmly embedded within the wider strategic landscape of Cheshire West and Chester. It directly supports the Community Safety Partnership Priorities, including reducing repeat experiences of domestic abuse, preventing exploitation, and tackling serious violence through coordinated, multi-agency action. It also aligns with the Police and Crime Plan 2024–2028, which sets out a vision for a safer Cheshire by prioritising prevention, protecting vulnerable people, and holding perpetrators to account.

Furthermore, our approach reflects the trauma-informed principles and safeguarding priorities of both the Cheshire West Safeguarding Children Partnership and the Local Safeguarding Adults Board, ensuring that our work protects those most at risk and promotes safety, dignity, and recovery across all age groups. By working in close partnership across these frameworks, we are building a borough where domestic abuse is never tolerated and where every individual can live free from fear and harm.

Strategic Needs Assessment

In line with the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, Cheshire West and Chester Council is required to undertake a comprehensive Safe Accommodation Needs Assessment every three years. The initial assessment, completed in June 2021, informed the development of the borough’s Safe Accommodation Model and shaped the previous Domestic Abuse Strategy 2021–2025. The 2024 Needs Assessment marked the next phase in this statutory cycle and has underpinned this strategy, ensuring it remains responsive to emerging needs and lived experiences. The needs assessment not only evaluated the availability and suitability of safe accommodation but also sought to identify and address the barriers that prevent individuals, particularly those with complex needs from accessing support. It is a key mechanism for strengthening our trauma-informed response and ensuring that services are inclusive, accessible, and survivor-centred.

By embedding the findings of the Needs Assessment into strategic planning, we ensure that our local response is evidence-based, collaborative, and focused on preventing harm, empowering survivors, and holding perpetrators to account.

The 2024 Domestic Abuse Needs Assessment (DANA) provides a comprehensive, evidence-based understanding of domestic abuse across Cheshire West and Chester. It highlights rising demand, service gaps, and opportunities for trauma-informed, equitable, and coordinated responses.

Domestic Abuse Strategy 2026 - 2030

Foreword

Executive summary

Vision and Priorities

Legal duties

National context

Domestic abuse in west Cheshire

Safe accommodation

Governance and accountability

Glossary