Domestic and Sexual Violence Board

Terms of reference

The Board aims to monitor, scrutinise and support the MPS in its performance and response to domestic and sexual violence [1]. The Board will aim to secure continuous improvement in the MPS’ response and disseminate best practice and innovation across the 32 Borough Operational Command Units (BOCUs).

Purpose

• To lead on the effective monitoring, scrutiny and support of the MPS in its response to domestic and sexual violence on behalf of the Communities Equalities and People (CEP) Committee.
• To secure continuous improvement in the MPS response to domestic and sexual violence by ensuring a consistent and structured follow-up of actions.
• To robustly and effectively address the issue of consistency of service with regard to domestic and sexual violence by focusing monitoring and support on the 32 BOCUs, and the MPS as a corporate body, thereby monitoring coordination and implementation of policy and practice across the MPS.
• To identify gaps highlighted by the 32 BOCUs and corporate MPS units and, where appropriate, ensure these are raised with relevant MPA Committees and/or other fora.
• To link to other pan-London and/or national domestic and sexual violence and related bodies.
• To disseminate best practice and innovation not only across the 32 Borough Operational Command Units (BOCUs), but corporately across the MPS.
• To increase trust and confidence in the community by sharing the successes of the MPS and allowing members of the public to participate in the scrutiny process.

Accountability

• The Board is a standalone structure reporting up to CEP and works on its behalf to lead on the effective monitoring, scrutiny and support of the MPS in its response to domestic and sexual violence.
• The MPS will report to the Board on any aspect of its response to domestic and sexual violence. Any issues which the board cannot resolve will be referred to CEP for decision. The Board will report to CEP and other committees as required through written and verbal updates at committee.

The structure and remit of the Board

• The Board will hold meetings bi-monthly and aims to cover 10 boroughs per year.
• Board members, external practitioners from domestic and sexual violence support services and community members will discuss reports from two boroughs at each meeting, with the exception of the one meeting in the annual cycle when reports from MPS corporate units and/ or on specialist subjects will be discussed.
• Opportunities will also be made available for sub-groups to focus on specialist areas (if required) in addition to the scheduled board meetings.
• Board meetings will be structured to ensure each meeting will involve discussion with MPS colleagues, community members and external practitioners from domestic and sexual violence support services.
• The Board will seek to involve community members and external practitioners from domestic and sexual violence support services in order to share best practice and innovation, and to support the process of holding the MPS to account.
• The Board will work to address inequalities based on race, gender, disability, age, faith or belief, or sexual orientation in service provision and employment practice.
• The Board will work with existing pan-London and/or national domestic and sexual violence and related bodies to ensure that its efforts are enhanced and duplication is minimised.

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