Children and Young People's Domestic Violence Service
What do we do? | How to Contact Us | When are we open? | Useful Numbers | Statistics
The Children and Young People's Domestic Violence Service (C&YPDVS) based in the Domestic Violence Support Team works with children and young people aged 5 to 19 years, who are affected by domestic violence.
What do we do?
For children and young people affected by domestic violence this service provides support for their safety and wellbeing. The service has two part-time workers working with children aged 5-13 years and two part-time workers working with the 13-19 age group.
The children and young people are seen individually by the workers who aim to provide a safe space for children and young people to talk about their experiences through a variety of media and activities (e.g. art work, board games, bowling etc). They will also use this time to reassure the children and young people that the violence and abuse going on around them is not their fault and help them to develop appropriate and safe coping mechanisms as well as providing safety planning advice.
Work is also undertaken with the children's mothers or carers to help them to understand the impact of domestic abuse on their children and to support them in their parenting role. Where appropriate Groupwork may be used to enable the children and young people to explore and develop their feelings and ideas, and to help them to see that they are not alone.
The work undertaken by this service is short term support work rather than therapeutic work. Children and young people will be referred on to other services where it is felt that ongoing work is needed. The service works with young men as well as young women.
How to Contact Us
If you would like to speak to us about our children and young person's domestic violence service, please call 01422 386 501 or email us at CYP@Womencentre.org.uk.
When are we open?
Monday to Thursday 9.00am-5.00pm and Friday 9.00am-4.30pm
Useful Numbers
Statistics
During the last year (April 2007 - March 2008) the service for 5 - 13 year old children received 43 referrals, 19 of whom had work undertaken with them. Out of the 19 children and young people, 8 were girls, 11 were boys, 4 were on the Child Protection Register, 6 were involved in the CAF process and 1 child had Special Educational Needs.
The new service for 13-19 year olds began in June 2008 and can work with up to 8 young people at any one time.
