Concerns over domestic abuse support provision in Highlands

Inverness Women's Aid has criticised Highland Council for handing over domestic abuse outreach services to an organisation with "no experience" in the field.

The local authority has awarded the contract to the Inverness, Badenoch and Strathspey Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) as part of a new Highland-wide service.

Inverness Women's Aid described the decision as "bizarre and reckless" but did not submit an application for the contract during the procurement process.

Highland Council said the process was "fair, open and fully compliant" and its region-wide approach was designed to strengthen support.

CAB Inverness declined to comment.

In November, Highland Council began a review of contracts for four women's aid organisations - Inverness, Lochaber, Ross-shire and Skye and Caithness and Sutherland.

At the time, the council was considering changing to funding just one provider for the whole region and to also make the service available to men - a move Inverness Women's Aid criticised.

Last month, council officials said three out of the four contracts had been secured with just south Highland remaining.

Inverness, Badenoch and Strathspey CAB has now been awarded the remaining contract, which gives funding certainty for three years.

The organisation offers advice, guidance and information in a number of different areas, including benefits, consumer issues, immigration and workplace disputes.

But Inverness Women's Aid has argued that the CAB has "no specialist knowledge or experience" and said "it will clearly impact on the quality of support victims receive".

Inverness Women's Aid said it had been trying to access the funding for two years, and that Highland Council had issued a draft contract with "unsafe and unclear" clauses.

It said it expressed an interest in proceeding with the new contract but claimed all comments and proposed adaptations put forward were either ignored or rejected.

Its board decided not to sign the contract last year because of "lack of meaningful negotiation".

Chair Muirne Buchanan added that Inverness Women's Aid will continue to receive funding from Highland Council until September and it is actively seeking alternative sources in case it does not continue beyond that date.

Highland Council said: "The council remains fully committed to supporting those affected by domestic abuse.

"Existing arrangements for refuge accommodation remain in place, with funding continuing while a review of services is undertaken."

It added the review was focused on improving provision and had no savings target attached.