Adult Specialist Support
A programme of up to 12 weeks of structured and personalised domestic abuse support for eligible victims. The aim is to increase safety and enable them to achieve identified support outcomes, improve their wellbeing and promote recovery.
What’s involved?
Following an initial assessment completed by the Support Hub, if you meet the eligibility criteria your case will be allocated to a Specialist Domestic Abuse Practitioner who will provide you with tailored support for up to 12 weeks. This may include one-to-one sessions; group therapeutic interventions; and learning opportunities but shall be informed by the core principles of Prevention, Protection and Recovery.
The initial support session will include a strengths based assessment which involves the identification and exploration of your desired outcomes and if applicable determining any needs and support for your children. It will also include developing a person-centred Support and Safety Plan.
Below is a list of some of the things the specialist support service can help with:
- Safety Planning
- Exploring Options
- Reducing the risk of harm and its impact
- Emotional Support
- Support in understanding the dynamics of domestic abuse
- Access to our Domestic Abuse SAFE course (Click here safe course page)
- Access to financial and legal advice
- Accommodation support
- Support in criminal and civil court cases
- Support to apply for a civil injunction
- Support to improve wellbeing
- Access to community support networks and services
- Referring/signposting to internal and external services
- Information and skills to support your children to address the impact of abuse
- Identifying if your children would benefit from accessing specialist support in their own right via the Children and Young People’ service.
Our commitment to you.
We will:
- Provide a non-judgemental and supportive approach
- Work with you to increase your safety
- Support you to explore options, and work towards an agreed action plan
- Review our work regularly to ensure that your needs are being met.
- Provide a confidential service (see below for further details)
Access our e-learning SAFE Course
Frequently Asked Questions
My case has been allocated to a worker, what can I expect?
Once your case has been allocated to a Specialist Domestic Abuse Practitioner they will attempt contact with you within 3 working days. They will make 3 attempted contacts using the safe methods that have previously been agreed with you. If your allocated worker cannot reach you after 3 contact attempts they will close your case and you will need to contact the Support Hub if require further support.
What is this strengths based assessment?
It is personalised and gives you control over your support. Together we can identify what you would like help with and the outcomes you want to achieve. It goes beyond focusing on just the risks. It explores your strengths, skills, assets and resources which will serve you in achieving your goals.
What if I change my mind about the support?
That’s absolutely fine. Engagement with the service is completely voluntary, and you have the right to withdraw from the support at any point. Please let us know if you no longer want support and we will close your case.
Will my sessions be confidential?
All information will be kept confidential and will not be disclosed to anyone unless;
(1) You consent for us to do so
(2) We are required to do so by law
(3) We believe that you, or somebody else, is at serious risk of harm.
Examples where we may need to break confidentiality are in the event of a court order breach or a disclosure of harm or potential harm towards a child or vulnerable adult.
Should it become necessary to break confidentiality, where possible (i.e. it would not put you or someone else at increased risk of harm) we will explain to you the information that is to be shared, with whom and for what purpose/outcome.
How often will my sessions be?
The support we provide is generally structured into weekly or fortnightly telephone support sessions but support can also be face to face if required. This will be discussed and agreed with you following your initial assessment
What if I need more than 12 weeks support?
We will support you to exit the service in a planned way. However, if it’s identified that you would benefit from additional specialist support then this may be arranged through our Recovery Support Programme – Click here for further information.
