Council receives Platinum Accreditation for domestic abuse support

Cheshire East Council has become the first local authority in the UK to receive Platinum Accreditation from the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance – the highest honour awarded to housing providers for their work in tackling domestic abuse.

This recognition celebrates the council’s transformative efforts to support survivors of domestic abuse through safe, effective, and compassionate housing interventions. The council achieved this accolade by fully implementing DAHA’s Whole Housing Approach – a comprehensive framework that integrates all housing tenures and support services to meet the diverse needs of survivors. 

In 2022, Cheshire East Council, in partnership with local organisations, secured over £250,000 in National Lottery funding to pilot the Whole Housing Approach. Working alongside the charity Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse, the council became the first in the country to deliver all 14 components of the framework within a single local authority over a three-year period. 

Since the pilot began: 

• 487 professionals have been trained to identify and respond to domestic abuse. 

• 1,074 referrals have been made to domestic abuse services from housing agencies. 

• 254 survivors and children have received direct support from three specialist independent domestic violence advisors. 

Councillor Laura Crane, chair of Cheshire East Council’s children and families committee, said:

“I am incredibly proud that Cheshire East has been successful in achieving this national Platinum Accreditation. It provides solid evidence of our unwavering commitment to delivering safe, effective interventions and supporting our staff to meet the needs of survivors while holding perpetrators accountable.Through strong partnerships, we are ensuring survivors receive the highest standard of care.

“Domestic abuse has a damaging impact on the lives of many adults and children across Cheshire East. It can happen to anyone, regardless of age, gender, background, or circumstance. It often begins subtly and escalates over time, leaving victims feeling isolated, fearful, and to blame. But it’s not your fault. And you are not alone.” 

Councillor Michael Gorman, chair of Cheshire East Council’s economy and growth committee, said:

“Congratulations to everyone involved in achieving this prestigious accreditation.

The Whole Housing Approach not only transforms lives but also delivers exceptional value for money – generating £10.20 in public sector savings for every £1 invested. This is a powerful example of how smart, compassionate policy can deliver both social impact and financial sustainability.” 

Nicki Clarke, Head of Housing, DAHA & Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse said:

"It is such a pleasure to award the first ever Platinum DAHA Accreditation to Cheshire East Council for their outstanding work to help survivors of domestic abuse access safe and secure housing. They have not only achieved our Gold DAHA Accreditation standards within their own housing teams, but also fully implemented a Whole Housing Approach to ensure that all survivors, no matter what their circumstances and what their housing circumstances are, they will receive the best response across the Cheshire East area.  

“Working closely with the team at Cheshire East Council we have seen first-hand their commitment and dedication to help survivors of domestic abuse, and everyone involved should feel incredibly proud of this achievement." 

DAHA is the UK’s leading specialist organisation supporting housing providers to improve their response to domestic abuse. Its accreditation is the national benchmark for excellence in this field. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, help is available.

Contact the Cheshire East Domestic Abuse Family Safety Unit on 0300 123 5101, or in an emergency, call 999.

More information is available at: 

www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/domesticabuse.