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<p>The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) takes the issue of domestic abuse extremely
seriously and recognises that domestic abuse often continues and can worsen after
separation, which can have detrimental impacts on the welfare of children. CMS therefore
continues to evolve and make positive changes to the way we deliver our service and
to support our case workers.</p><p>We have measures in place to ensure victims and
survivors of domestic abuse can access and use our services safely.</p><p>Of 29,000
new applications to the CMS in the quarter ending December 2023, 56% of applications
were exempt from the application fee, largely on the grounds of domestic abuse.</p><p>The
Department publishes quarterly statistics for the CMS. Latest statistics are available
up to <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/child-maintenance-service-statistics-data-to-december-2023"
target="_blank">December 2023</a>. Table 2 of the of the <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6601806ff1d3a0666832ac65/national-tables-child-maintenance-service-to-december-2023.ods"
target="_blank">National tables</a> provides the volume of applications and volume
of those with an exemption due to domestic abuse for the period 2021-2023.</p><p>
</p><table><tbody><tr><td rowspan="2"><p><strong>Quarter of Application</strong></p></td><td
rowspan="2"><p><strong>Application Fee Exemptions due to Domestic Abuse</strong></p></td><td
rowspan="2"><p><strong>Total Application Fee Exemptions</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Percentage
of Applications with an Exemption</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>[note 1]</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Jan
to Mar 2021</p></td><td><p>10,500</p></td><td><p>10,600</p></td><td><p>58%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Apr
to Jun 2021</p></td><td><p>11,800</p></td><td><p>11,900</p></td><td><p>60%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Jul
to Sep 2021</p></td><td><p>12,400</p></td><td><p>12,500</p></td><td><p>59%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Oct
to Dec 2021</p></td><td><p>11,600</p></td><td><p>11,600</p></td><td><p>60%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Jan
to Mar 2022</p></td><td><p>15,100</p></td><td><p>15,200</p></td><td><p>57%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Apr
to Jun 2022</p></td><td><p>17,300</p></td><td><p>17,500</p></td><td><p>55%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Jul
to Sep 2022</p></td><td><p>17,600</p></td><td><p>17,900</p></td><td><p>53%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Oct
to Dec 2022</p></td><td><p>14,700</p></td><td><p>14,900</p></td><td><p>55%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Jan
to Mar 2023</p></td><td><p>17,600</p></td><td><p>17,800</p></td><td><p>55%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Apr
to Jun 2023</p></td><td><p>17,800</p></td><td><p>18,100</p></td><td><p>56%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Jul
to Sep 2023</p></td><td><p>18,500</p></td><td><p>18,800</p></td><td><p>54%</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>
</p><p>Furthermore, in October 2023 the CMS introduced regulations to completely remove
the application fee for all families, this came into force on the 26 February 2024.</p><p>We
are also trialling the use of a single, named case worker team to help ensure victims
of domestic abuse are appropriately supported. Evaluation of the trial will inform
the future service we offer to survivors of domestic abuse.</p><p>CMS have procedures
to prevent unwanted contact between parents and provide advice on bank accounts with
a centralised sort code so their location cannot be traced. Additionally, CMS can
act as an intermediary in Direct Pay cases to facilitate the exchange of bank details,
which helps to ensure no personal information is shared between parents.</p><p>Further
changes, The Child Support Collection (Domestic Abuse) Act 2023 received Royal Assent
on 28 June 2023. On 8 May 2024, the Department published a public consultation<em>,
Improving the Collection and Transfer of Payments</em>, which follows the Child Support
Collection (Domestic Abuse) Act 2023. The consultation proposes to remove the Direct
Pay service completely, which will go further than the measures set out in the Act
and provide the same level of protection for all parents. The consultation closes
31<sup>st</sup> July 2024. The Government will then carefully consider the feedback
and a response will be published. To find out more information go to: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/child-maintenance-improving-the-collection-and-transfer-of-payments"
target="_blank">Child Maintenance: Improving the collection and transfer of payments
- GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).</a></p><p>We support our case workers to deliver our service
by ensuring they receive appropriate training and have access to signposting and support
that could be utilised to assist survivors of domestic abuse.</p><p>Through extensive
Stakeholder engagement CMS reviewed their domestic abuse training in 2021. Training
was delivered to all case workers to ensure they are equipped to recognise coercive
and controlling behaviour and appropriately signpost parents in vulnerable situations.
All caseworkers have access to the District Provision Toolkit which contains the most
up to date information for signposting to help and support for domestic abuse across
England, Scotland, and Wales.</p><p>A Domestic Abuse Plan was developed which outlines
key steps for caseworkers to follow to ensure victims of domestic abuse are supported. This
includes advice on contacting the police if the parent is in immediate danger or calling
the police on behalf of the parent if requested to do so. Additionally, the plan directs
case workers to consider a referral to an Advanced Customer Support Senior Leader
if a customer requires further support.</p><p> </p><p>The number of ACSSL cases that
have been referred by CMS colleagues, where the referral has been categorised as ‘domestic
abuse’ are as follows:</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>
</p></td><td><p>2021</p></td><td><p>2022</p></td><td><p>2023*</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>ACSSL
Referrals from CMS colleagues categorised as domestic abuse</p></td><td><p>3</p></td><td><p>3</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>
</p><p>It should be noted that disclosure of domestic abuse does not automatically
require an Advanced Customer Support Senior Leader (ACSSL) to become involved in supporting
a case. Additionally domestic abuse may be reported at any stage of case, we do not
gather data on all cases therefore the information requested on the proportion of
referrals is not held, however given ACSSL referrals are very low this is also likely
to be very low.</p>
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