Children and Young People Support
Children and young people who are exposed to domestic abuse often become emotionally distressed and experience persistently high levels of anxiety, which they are unable to deal with.
Listed below are a small number of ways a child/ young person could be affected by domestic abuse within the home:
- Children may feel angry, guilty, insecure, alone, frightened, powerless and confused.
- They are denied a positive role model
- Abuse can harm the parent-child bond
- They can develop negative core beliefs about themselves affecting their confidence and self-esteem.
- They can be isolated from helpful sources of support
- A child/ young person’s style of coping may become problematic
- They can believe that victimisation is inevitable or normal and develop rationalisations for the abuse
Children and Young people Support Service (CYP Support Service)
A programme of up to 8 weeks of structured and personalised domestic abuse support for eligible children and young people. The aim is to increase their safety and enable them to achieve identified support outcomes, improve their wellbeing and promote recovery. We support children and young people aged between 5 and 16 years old, or up to the age of 25 if they are “LAC” or “SEND”.
The non-abusive parent/caregiver must be engaging with the Adult Support Service in order for the child to access specialist support form a CYP worker. Referrals to the CYP support service are made internally via the Specialist Domestic Abuse Practitioner supporting the non-abusive parent/caregiver.
If the child/ young person is LAC/SEND/SGO, we will accept a direct referral for the child/young person from a professional such as a social worker.
We also accept direct referrals if a young person is in/ or has been in a domestic abuse relationship themselves.
What work will be undertaken with the child/ young person?
Options available:
Family focus sessions– Either 2 or 3 family focus sessions, where the CYP practitioner adopts a family approach with the non- abusive parent and child/ren to rebuild bonds that have been broken down due to the effects of domestic abuse.
1:1 sessions– Up to 6 sessions with the child/young person offering emotional and practical support, safety planning, exploring healthy and unhealthy relationships, building self-esteem and self-worth.
Group work via zoom or MS Teams – up to 4 sessions for young people aged between 12 and 16 years old, work will be very similar to the 1:1 sessions but delivered online and in a group setting.
Building blocks course- This is a course for parents to enable them to understand the impact of domestic abuse on children and young people, how it makes them feel and the best way to help them to heal and recover.
Frequently Asked Questions
My case has been allocated to a CYP Practitioner, what can I expect?
Once your case has been allocated to a CYP 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 you require further support.
What happens when the allocated CYP practitioner makes contact with me?
The CYP practitioner will establish if there have been any changes in circumstances since the referral was made. They will discuss what support your child/ren will be eligible for and seek consent to work with your child/ren on a 1:1 basis or group work. If the support includes family focus sessions, the practitioner will book all sessions with you in advance during this contact.
This initial contact is also an opportunity for you to share any worries you may have and to ask questions about the support.
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 to children and young people is generally structured into weekly or fortnightly sessions that take place in School. In exceptional circumstances and during school holidays we may offer sessions via zoom, MS Teams, at a children centre or at a GP surgery. This will be discussed and agreed with you.
What if my child / young person needs more support?
We will support your child/ren to exit the service in a planned way, we will signpost to other appropriate agencies if we feel that further support is needed.
