Practitioner guidance: domestic abuse and violence against women and girls
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Referral pathways
As a practitioner you may come across clients experiencing a range of VAWG issues. It is important to seek the right support and refer to the appropriate agency at the right time.
Please note if you make multiple referrals you should disclose this information to each agency.
Referral pathways - Support services
Service information
Barnet SASS offers free and confidential advocacy and advice to those experiencing domestic abuse aged 16+. This includes risk assessment, safety planning and support with the aim to reduce risk. We can also signpost regarding counselling and group work for both adults and children.
Who is eligible
Anyone aged 16+ who resides in the Borough of Barnet and is experiencing domestic abuse, honour based violence and forced marriage.
Referral form
How to make a referral
- Telephone: 020 3874 5003, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
- Email: barnet.advocacy@solacewomensaid.org
Service information
Provides safe emergency accommodation for 6-9 months for women and children fleeing domestic abuse. Children receive emotional and individual support as well as play therapy and women can also benefit from the emotional and individual support. There are also parenting skills support and coffee mornings.
Who is eligible
Women and Children
Referral form
How to make a referral
- Telephone: 07493 025192
- Email: refuge.referrals@solacewomensaid.org
Service information
Women and children affected by domestic abuse and sexual violence, with short-term and long-term support. Our range of services includes immediate practical and emotional support, counselling, children's therapy and support groups.
Who is eligible
Women and children
Referral form
How to make a referral
- Telephone: 0808 801 0500
- Web chat: https://www.jwa.org.uk/webchat
- Email: advice@jwa.org.uk
Service information
- ISVA – advocacy support for women considering going through the Criminal Justice process in relation to sexual violence.
- Casework – practical support for survivors of SV who are not reporting to the police (and not currently experiencing DV)
- 16 1-to-1 counselling sessions (or 6 for clients who are pre-trial) of trauma-focused counselling across all boroughs with a specialist SV focus.
- Group support – group activities such as yoga and creative arts
- Helpline – 1 hour per week of free, confidential emotional support.
- Referral pathway for all NLRC face-to-face services and provides support and advice to family, friends and professionals.
Who is eligible
Women and girls (13+) who live, work or study in Islington, Camden, Westminster, Barnet, Enfield, Kensington, Chelsea and Haringey
Referral form
How to make a referral
- Telephone: 0808 801 0305
- Email: Rapecrisis@solacewomensaid.org
Service information
A free service available to all Barnet residents who may be experiencing issues with drugs or alcohol ranging from advice to structured treatment programmes and residential treatment.
Who is eligible
Young people and adults along with their families and carers.
Referral information
https://www.changegrowlive.org/barnet/referrals
How to make a referral
- Telephone: 0300 303 2866
- Email: Barnet.info@cgl.org.uk
- Secure email (confidential information): barnet.info@cgl.cjsn.net
Service information
Enables survivors of Domestic Abuse living in Barnet to remain in their own homes and feel safe by installing extra security measures in their homes.
They can apply through Barnet Homes staff, Barnet Council Children’s Service, Health professionals, Independent Domestic Abuse support agencies such as Solace Women’s Aid and Victim Support.
Who is eligible
Council and Housing Associations tenants, privately renting or property owners when the abuser has no legal rights to enter to the property.
Referral form
How to make a referral
- Telephone: 020 8359 4619
- Email: barnetsanctuaryscheme@barnethomes.org
- Home Fire Safety Visit and smoke alarm request to Fire Brigade via Sanctuary Scheme Coordinator:
Service information
Provides a combination of group work and one-to-one programmes for perpetrators (men and women) to address abusive behaviour and promote behaviour change to reduce the likelihood of them reoffending.
Integrated victim/survivor service to promote safety of victims/survivors and their families. Support offered for duration of perpetrator’s engagement on programme.
Who is eligible
Referral form
How to make a referral
To discuss potential referrals:
- Telephone: 07538 655 120
- Email: eoin.gorman@risemutual.org
Send referrals to:
Secure email: Either of the above addresses via Egress
Service information
Child to Parent Violence programme (CPV) applies a whole family approach, working primarily with the parents/carers using non-violent resistance (NVR), but also with children, to manage aggressive behaviour displayed by children/young people.
RAPP – Respect and Principles Programme providing education about healthy relationships to young people who may be showing early signs of abusive behaviours in intimate relationships.
Referral information
How to make a referral
To discuss potential referrals:
- Telephone: 07538 655 120
- Email: eoin.gorman@risemutual.org
Send referrals to:
Secure email: Either of the above addresses via Egress
Service information
Specialist reports and Full Risk Assessments
Recommendations will be made as to the best ways to manage the risks in the interests of the child/ren. This assessment will be carried out and completed within 8-10 weeks from receipt of all documents, including Letter of Instruction (LOI).
Vulnerability Assessments
In a vulnerability assessment the impact on the victim’s parenting will be assessed alongside their vulnerability to future abuse. These assessments will be carried out and completed within 8-10 weeks from receipt of all documents, including LOI.
How to make a referral
To discuss potential referral:
- Telephone: 07538 655 120
- Email: eoin.gorman@risemutual.org
To send a referral:
Secure email: Either of the above addresses via Egress
Service information
This service provides a targeted, multi-faceted domestic abuse service for BAME and minoritised communities, through a focussed and co-ordinated family and community approach. The individual’s needs are identified through a specialised suitability assessment, and interventions adapted to include extended family members, where it is appropriate and safe to do so. One-to-one interventions available for adult perpetrators (men and women) and whole-family approach available for families experiencing adult-to-parent familial abuse (APFA).
Integrated victim/survivor service, provided by Solace Women’s Aid, to promote safety of victims/survivors and their families. Support offered for duration of perpetrator’s engagement on programme.
How to make a referral
To discuss potential referral:
- Telephone: 07538 655 120
- Email: eoin.gorman@risemutual.org
Send referrals to:
Secure email: Either of the above addresses via Egress
Service information
The group is based on theories developed by Children Overcoming Domestic Abuse (CODA)
The purpose of the group is to offer children an opportunity to understand and process their experiences and emotions in a safe environment, without fear of upsetting their parents.
How to make a referral
Make a referral to the Early Help team using the Universal Plus form.
Service information
Youth Realities is a youth-led charity addressing teenage relationship abuse through creative education and specialist, survivor-centred support.
Who is eligible
Young people aged between 11-25, living, studying or in close proximity to the Borough of Barnet.
How to make a referral
Complete the online referral form.
Service information
Art Against Knives focus on supporting young people who are most at risk of violence, abuse, and exploitation, ensuring we’re responding to their unique needs and putting them in the lead.
Who is eligible
Referrals are welcomed from anyone supporting young people aged 10-25 on the basis that they can safely access our spaces in Barnet.
How to make a referral
Complete the online referral form.
You can also discuss a referral by emailing referrals@artagainstknives.com
Referral pathways - London Borough of Barnet Services
Service information
The Barnet MASH acts a single ‘front door’ for all referrals regarding concerns for a child or young person (unborn-18 years) for children in need of additional support and/or protection.
Referrals will cover all thresholds of need from child protection to early help.
Who is eligible
For a child or young person (unborn-18 years)
How to make a referral
- If you believe a child is at risk of immediate harm, please call the Police on 999
- If you feel you have urgent welfare concerns about children or young people that require and immediate response, phone the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) on 020 8359 4066. The MASH team are available Monday to Thursday 9am to 5.15pm and Friday 9am to 5pm.
- Outside these hours you should report any concerns that need an immediate response to our emergency duty team on 020 8359 2000.
- Make a safeguarding concern referral online
Service information
The Adults MASH has been established to improve the safeguarding of adults who may be at risk of abuse, harm or neglect.
How to make a referral
Telephone:
- 020 8359 5000 (9am- 5pm, Mon to Fri)
- 020 8359 2000 (out of hours)
Email:
If you are a care professional raising a safeguarding concern please complete the adult safeguarding concern form
Referral pathways - Mental Health services
Service information
We are a large provider of integrated mental health services in Barnet, Enfield and Haringey for young people and adults.
We provide services from a large number of locations which range from major mental health and community hospital facilities through to clinics, care homes, people's own homes and prisons
The service also offers a number of talking therapies including individual, group and family therapy.
Our 24/7 crisis telephone service is the first point of contact for people who are in mental health crisis and who live in Barnet.
Who is eligible
These services are available to Barnet residents with mental health conditions.
Referral flowchart
How to make a referral
- Referrals can be made by the GP
- Referrals - Barnet, Enfield, Haringey
- Crisis Telephone Service (includes self-referral): 0800 151 0023
Referral pathways - Emergency services
Service information
Home Fire Safety assessments and free fitting of smoke alarms.
Who is eligible
For anyone who does not have smoke detection on the premises, has not had fire safety advice, or has received threats of arson.
How to make a referral
MARAC
MARAC is a meeting where information is shared on the highest risk domestic abuse cases. The panel consists of representatives from multi agency partners such as:
- NW BCU Police
- Probation
- Health
- Children Social Care protection,
- Adult Social Care
- Housing
- Alcohol and Drug agency
- Mental Health
- Education
- Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs)
- other specialists from the statutory and voluntary sectors
Referral: Barnet Domestic Abuse MARAC Referral Form
Enquiries email: DAMARAC@barnet.gov.uk or Mee.cheuk@barnet.gov.uk
Telephone: 07707 277089
Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS) also known as Clare’s law
The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS), also known as Clare’s Law’ enables the police to disclose information to a victim or potential victim of DA about their partner’s or ex-partner’s previous abusive or violent behaviour.
The scheme has 2 elements:
- the right to ask (an individual or relevant third party can ask the police to check whether a current or ex-partner has a violent or abusive past)
- the right to know (enables the police to make a disclosure on their own initiative if they receive information about the violent or abusive behaviour of a person that may impact on the safety of that person’s current or ex-partner)
Early intervention can save lives. Clare’s Law provides people with the information they need to escape an abusive situation before the risks escalate.
The National Scheme ensures that more people can make informed decisions about their relationship and escape if necessary.
Find out more and request information under Clare’s Law
Violence against Women and Girls Forum
We have a voluntary multi-agency Domestic Violence and Violence against Women and Girls Forum that has an independent chairperson.
If you would like to join the forum email DAVAWG@Barnet.gov.uk
Barnet Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Delivery Group
1. Aims of the Barnet VAWG Delivery Group
The Barnet VAWG Delivery Group will work to support victims of VAWG issues, the LBB VAWG Strategy and Action Plan 2022-2025. Its aims are to:
- ensure a robust, coordinated response to VAWG issues across the key strategic partnership agendas and to plan the effective use of resources in Barnet
- make explicit the roles, responsibilities and commitments of the key partners to ensure that VAWG outcomes and targets are agreed, owned and delivered and that there are clear lines of accountability
- secure continuous improvement in the Barnet multi-agency response to VAWG and disseminate best practice and innovation across services in and outside the borough
2. Specific functions and responsibilities
The VAWG Delivery Group will make decisions at strategic level on the:
- development and performance management of the delivery of a 3 yearly Multi-Agency VAWG Strategy and Action plan
- development and implementation of policy and effective codes of practice for dealing with VAWG across agencies and link to Safeguarding children and adults
- reports and key performance indicators and targets received from partner agencies on their service area’s delivery within the VAWG Strategy and Action Plan, highlight needs and gaps in provision and make appropriate recommendations to ensure these are raised with the relevant service(s), boards, committees and forums
- agendas raised by VAWG Forum Chairperson and LBB VAWG service delivery leads
- effective use of resources and prevention of duplication of VAWG work across the partnership agendas
- monitoring reports and the progress of domestic homicide review recommendations
- list of membership of VAWG delivery Group
3. Structure, governance and accountability
- VAWG Delivery Group is a sub-group of the Safer Communities Partnership Board (SCPB) and works on its behalf to lead on the effective monitoring, scrutiny and governance of the multi-agency responses to VAWG
- VAWG Forum and the MARAC Steering Group report to the VAWG Delivery Group through their respective chairs
- VAWG Delivery Group will report to the SCPB on any aspect of its response VAWG. Any issues, which the VAWG Delivery Board cannot resolve, they will be referred to the SCPB for decision