Young Person’s Domestic Violence Advice Service

Responding to young victims/survivors who are at risk

How we can help you...

We can help with loads of issues like being angry, understanding your feelings and what is happening in your life.

We may be able to help you sort out problems at college or work. If you want us to, we can talk to college or work on your behalf.

We can help with a counsellor - someone to talk to and share your problems with.

We can help just by listening. You may find that talking to us can help

We know...

Some problems get worse if you ignore them

Feelings can be really powerful - there is no right or wrong way to feel.

What is happening to you can be hard to talk about - this may be making you angry or depressed.

What We Offer...

The Young Person’s Advice Service is a personal service designed to support victims/survivors whose cases are subject to the MARAC process (Multi- Agency Risk Assessment Conference).

If you have been identified as ‘being at risk’ by the MARAC process, you will be contacted by a Young Person’s Advisor.

If you accept their services you will first of all meet with the advisor on a one-toone basis to discuss your options.

As a result of this meeting there will normally be a safety and support plan made with you.

Actions undertaken by your advisor will normally involve contacting all the MARAC agencies for you. Your advisor will also act as your representative at the MARAC meetings, telling them your thoughts and informing you of any plans arising from the meeting.

Your advisor will be a single point of contact for you and ALL other agencies to improve your safety.

You will be helped with:

  • Risk assessment
  • Risk management
  • Safety planning
  • Initial crisis support - including information on your options
  • Referral to other local agencies
  • Assistance with other services eg. forced marriage
  • Support throughout the Criminal Justice Process

Your referral to MARAC...

How do I become subject to a MARAC?
Recently you may have completed a risk assessment with an agency who is working with you e.g. your Health Visitor. As a result of that assessment you have been identified as being at HIGH RISK of experiencing ongoing domestic violence and a MARAC referral will have been made. A MARAC referral simply means that the information gathered during the risk assessment is sent to the MARAC co-ordinator and the IDVA service.


What next?
Within 48 hours of receiving the referral, the Young Persons Advisor (YPA) will contact you regarding the service and arrange to visit you, at a convenient place for you.


What happens at MARAC?
At the next MARAC meeting actions are agreed that are designed specially to reduce the risk to you and your family. They must be completed, where possible, before the next monthly meeting. Your advocate will contact you to discuss these actions.

MARAC meets once a month - the following agencies attend:

Adult Services
Children’s Services
Housing Providers
Health Services
IDVA Services
Local Education Authority
Police
Probation
Victim Support
Women’s Support Services
YOT

TESTIMONIALS

Quotes from families who have used the
Pet Service, IDVA Service and Safe Haven Project

Safe Haven has helped me and my family through a very hard and emotional time and for that I will always be grateful. Our lives are now worth living again and in the process I have made some very good friends.
I was a victim of domestic violence for 7 years, as were my children. We have always had pets they were and still are a part of our family.
The advice and support has helped me to see that the situation I was in is not the right was to be treated by anyone, with help I have been able to escape and start getting my health and life to how it should be and know the difference between a right and wrong relationship.
In the short time I have been coming to group, I have achieved so much and I feel that I have had a weight lifted’. ‘It has really made a difference to our lives.
It was an enormous relief to discover this service existed – as the pets are dearly loved and an extension of our family.
It has helped as I know if I ever need advice I can just ring up my worker and she will do her best for me and my daughter.
Group work has helped me and my son communicate - we can now talk instead of shouting at one another all the time. He is now a happy and settled young man, who feels more secure in himself and expresses confidence around others.