NCC431 Northumberland Domestic Abuse Support Services

The service will form part of a whole system response to domestic abuse, including identification, referral and triage and provide an accessible, equitable service to service users of domestic abuse.

The Provider will deliver voluntary, non-clinical play therapy and counselling for children and young people from the ages of 4 - 18 who have suffered from domestic abuse. The Provider will also provide outreach support. This work will reduce the impact of trauma and support them to heal from their experiences.

To work with people both male and female (aged 18 and over) and to operate as a single point of entry for referrals and subsequent delivery for residents of Northumberland or those referred by Northumberland social care. The referrals should be for people who agree to engage and take responsibility and wish to change their abusive behaviour. The service will focus on increasing the safety of partners, children, and family members to reduce the incidents of domestic abuse within these relationships.

The National Rural Crime Network (NRCN) report 2019, Captive and Controlled: Domestic Abuse in Rural Areas, stated that Domestic Abuse in Rural Areas, stated that domestic abuse service users in rural areas are 'isolated, unsupported and unprotected, service users failed by the system, services and those around them.' It recommends 'rural proofing' commissioning to account for the specific needs of service users and survivors in rural communities. To that end Northumberland County Council are looking to commission a service to raise awareness and provide support in the rural areas of West and North of Northumberland. The successful provider will be expected to offer both face to face and virtual 1:1 sessions and support groups. Also work with other agencies to raise awareness in the communities of domestic abuse and the support available.

The Provider will deliver a counselling service to both male and female service users of domestic abuse who require counselling to help overcome the various issues that they have faced during the time when they have experienced the abuse.