|
Getting Help | Domestic Abuse Family Safety Units | Cheshire Domestic Abuse Partnership | What's New | Resources | Your Voices | Children | Services for Men | Lifeline Voluntary Perpetrator Programme | FAQ
National 24 Hour Domestic Violence Helpline Number 0808 2000 247 - a single and unique freephone service, linking two existing charities - Refuge and Women's Aid. This service also provides information on bedspace all around the country at any given time.
Cheshire has two Domestic Abuse Family Safety Units (DVFSUs) covering the two police Basic Command Unit Areas:
West DVFSU (based in Northwich) – Chester, Ellesmere Port and Neston, Vale Royal
East DVFSU (based in Congleton) – Macclesfield, Congleton, Crewe and Nantwich
What is a Family Safety Unit?
Family Safety Units provide free and confidential services for those experiencing domestic abuse in the community. Services are provided by a team of specialist workers responding to referrals on domestic abuse to reduce risk and increase long term safety and wellbeing. This is a model commended by government and evidenced as effective in Cardiff, Hull and a growing number of areas.
Each unit comprises:
1 Co-ordinator (also Multi Agency Risk Assessment Co-ordinator)
1 Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA)
2 Outreach Support Worker posts
part-time administrative support
How does a Family Safety Unit work?
-
Referrals can be made by the victim or by an agency.
-
Referrals are categorised by level of risk. All High and Very High Risk victims are contacted by the IDVA to offer essential safety planning and support through the criminal justice process. This is ‘crisis’ type work to maximise safety and reduce repeat victimisation...
-
Lower risk survivors will be supported over the longer term by support workers, carrying on the empowering work of current Outreach staff.
In all cases survivors’ needs will be assessed and a support plan established. Key agencies will be contacted to address needs in a co-ordinated way.
Support is about enabling victims to take back control of their lives and may be in the form of:
-
Telephone advice (01606 351375)
-
One to one meetings
-
Support in accessing other services
-
Accompanying to Court
-
Attendance at a local support group where women can share experiences and enable each other to move on.
Contacting the Family Safety Units
Clients should use the public number (e.g. for self referrals) - 01606 351 375
Agencies should use the following contact details:
Important! If you're worried about someone knowing you have visited this website then please read this warning. It tells you how to take steps to increase your safety when using the internet. |