Kensington and Chelsea Council housing receives DAHA bronze award

The Council’s housing teams have been awarded Bronze Accreditation by the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA). This award recognises our commitment to supporting residents affected by domestic abuse and ensuring they can access safe, effective and compassionate housing services.

DAHA accreditation is recognised as the UK benchmark for how housing providers should respond to domestic abuse. The accreditation assesses policies, procedures, partnership working, staff training and the extent to which organisations adopt a survivor-centred approach.

Achieving the bronze award reflects the significant work we do to support victims and survivors and embed best practice across housing services. It also demonstrates our determination to build a culture where residents feel safe, heard and supported.

We will continue putting the needs of survivors at the heart of their services, and plan to reapply for consideration for the silver award in the coming months.

DAHA Programme Manager, Jessica Tier said:

“We recognise the significant commitment, dedication and hard work that Kensington and Chelsea Council’s housing service has demonstrated in ensuring a safe, consistent and survivor-centred response to domestic abuse.

“Achieving DAHA Bronze accreditation is an important milestone and reflects the strong foundations established across the service. We welcome this achievement and look forward to seeing how RBKC's housing service builds on this progress as it works towards Silver and Gold accreditation, continuing to strengthen its systems, practices and organisational culture to ensure that victim-survivors of domestic abuse feel safe, heard and supported at every stage of their housing journey.”

Cllr Cem Kemahli, lead member for housing, said:

“I’m very proud of what the team has achieved, and the service they provide to the victims and survivors of abuse. If you’re experiencing abuse it’s important you know you can speak to any member of our housing team and expect to be treated with respect and dignity.”

Jahed Rahman, director of housing management, said:

“At Kensington and Chelsea we are dedicated to supporting victims and survivors of abuse. We’ve got a programme of regular, mandatory training for staff at all levels, and a group of domestic abuse champions who support colleagues.”

Kojo Sarpong, director of housing needs, said:

“I’m going to be working closely with the teams to make sure we’re ready to achieve the silver award next time we’re assessed. How we deal with some of our most vulnerable residents or clients reflects on who we are, and who we want to be as an organisation, and we’re committed to keep improving.”