Domestic Abuse Navigator Service (DAN)

The Domestic Abuse Navigator Service provides specialist support for victim-survivors of Domestic Abuse who have complex needs. The Service also provides 6 dispersed properties within County Durham for this client group as refuge provision is often not suitable due to the complex needs and often challenging behaviours of the clients. The original contract was awarded to Foundation via competitive process in July 2017. The funding from MHCLG ceased in 2021 and as of 01-Nov-2021 the service was extended for 17 months and funded via a DLUHC New Burdens Fund (NBF). The current contract is due to expire on 31-Mar-2023. At the time the NBF was provided there was no confirmation that the funding would continue or what the future value of any such funding would be. The NBF has now been confirmed for the 2023-24 year. A report to AHSMT on 15/12/2022 recommended that the DAN service continues to be commissioned for the 2023-24 fiscal year. It is noted that during that year a re-procurement exercise of all domestic abuse contracts will take place. The cost of commissioning the DAN service for the period 01-Apr-2023 to 31-Mar-2024 would be £156,336.09. AHSMT have approved this recommendation.