Review highlights the need to recognise carers and carer stress
A Domestic Homicide Review (DHR) into the death of “Daisy” in July 2019 has today been published by the Norfolk County Community Safety Partnership (NCCSP) to share the multi-agency lessons that can be learnt from the tragedy.
“Daisy” was aged 89 when she was killed by her husband. The independent review, commissioned by the NCCSP, found that Daisy and her husband were known to be a devoted and caring couple, who wished to maintain their independence and privacy for as long as they could. The review found no evidence of domestic abuse.
The review, published in anonymised form, highlighted the necessity for professional curiosity and assessment in recognising carers, carer stress and the mental well-being of carers and the cared for, particularly in this case where the physical frailty of a carer limits their ability to look after a loved one.
Many of the actions recommended in the review have already been implemented since the death of Daisy and the NCCSP is working with the agencies involved to ensure all learning is taken forward. Refreshed training, revised carer strategies and updated policies, procedures and guidance have been rolled out for all practitioners working with adults across the county, to ensure carers are recognised and supported at every opportunity, signs of dementia are spotted early and information sharing between agencies is improved to safeguard adults in Norfolk.
Mark Stokes, Chief Executive of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and Chair of the NCCSP said: “We wish to express our deepest sympathy to Daisy’s family and friends. We owe it to her to learn any lessons we can and work with our partners and the agencies involved with this DHR to help other carers who may find themselves in similar situations and identify those facing mental health difficulties.”
“A DHR is never an easy process to go through but it is important that we take these opportunities to scrutinise the circumstances that led to it and how we can all move forward, confident that improved practices and ways of working are in place across all of the agencies involved. The review has been undertaken in an open and constructive manner with all the agencies, both voluntary and statutory, engaging positively.”
Heather Roach, Independent Chair of the Norfolk Safeguarding Adults Board said: “On behalf of the board, I wish to express our deepest sympathy to Daisy's family and friends. It is vitally important that all our communities know how to spot the signs of abuse and who to tell if they are concerned. Using the learning from this review we are working with our partners to have a campaign to raise awareness with both those who are cared for, and carers, about adult safeguarding. We are exploring the use of new ways to share important messages on domestic abuse, including animation, which we aim to launch later in the year."
A Domestic Homicide Review (DHR) is a locally conducted, multi-agency review of the circumstances in which the death of a person aged 16 or over has, or appears to have, resulted from violence, abuse or neglect by a relative, partner or member of the same household. DHRs were established on a statutory basis by the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004, and those in Norfolk are completed by the Norfolk County Community Safety Partnership (NCCSP).
The full Domestic Homicide Review report into the death of Daisy can be found here
How to find help:
In an emergency always call 999. For further help and support please visit the following websites: