MSP Claire Baker has welcomed the steps taken by Fife Council in preventing homelessness caused by domestic abuse and has lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament which calls for its approach to be shared with other local authorities as an example of good practice.

Fife Council takes a victim/survivor-led strategy for keeping women and children safe in their homes and is also working with a coalition of organisations to transform how social landlords respond to domestic abuse.

The Council has maintained its proactive approach through the lockdown period by keeping allocations of housing open to enable women and children to safely move home if required.

MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife Claire Baker said: “The approach adopted by Fife Council is respectful, individualised and places the victims of domestic abuse at the core of its strategy.

"The Council has been involved a work in this area for some time and continues to adopt good practice which should be shared widely.

“By working with organisations like Scottish Women’s Aid and listening to the views of women previously made homeless as a result of domestic abuse, Fife Council has developed a co-production approach which helps keep women and children safe in their homes."

Ms Baker added: "I welcome the work that the Council has done and continues to do on homelessness and domestic abuse, particularly in response to the current pandemic.

“This lockdown period is a time when women and children experiencing domestic abuse are particularly at risk and I urge anyone affected to contact support services.”