The referral process

To benefit from our service and to get help and support, you will need to be referred to us. A referral is simply a request for help from our domestic violence and abuse service. It is not a legal process and anything you tell us is confidential.

There are different ways you can be referred:

• self-referral - either by completing the online form, by visiting one of our customer service centres, or by calling us
• practitioner referral - a professional you are already in contact with, such as a social worker, the drug or alcohol service, or a housing officer
• primary care staff or a clinician referral - such as your GP, health visitor, or midwife.

You will need to give us the following information when you request a referral:

• your name
• your current address
• an alternative safe address
• a safe contact number
• a brief description of why you would like support.

Support for victims of domestic abuse is also available from national providers and other services:

Confidentiality

When you are referred to us, we will ask you to sign a consent form that allows you to state which agencies we can share, store, receive, or request information from.

Self referral

We aim to contact you within seven days (although waiting times may increase when the service is in high demand). However, you will be treated as a priority and we will contact you within 48 hours if you:

• have told us you are homeless
• have nowhere to stay on the day of referral, including having no family or friends to stay with
• are at high risk of physical harm.

If you are waiting to hear about a referral or you want to give us any extra information:

After a referral

So we can provide the help and support you need, once we have received your referral we will arrange to meet you in a safe place, or call you when it’s safe to do so. We will assess your support needs and discuss issues, such as:

• personal safety
• housing options
• home safety
• family issues
• health
• welfare benefits
• legal options
• access to other services
• other agencies that might be able to help you.

How we can help you - find out more

We may allocate a caseworker to help you or advise you to attend a group session.

Find out more about group sessions

Support for victims of domestic abuse is also available from national providers and other services:

Risk assessment

If, from your referral form and/or our telephone call, we determine that you are at high risk, you will be contacted by an Independent Domestic Violence Adviser (IDVA). They will talk through your situation and plan your support accordingly, with your immediate safety in mind. This will happen within 48 hours. 

Anyone who wants support, but is not assessed as high risk, will be offered one-to-one or group support, for which there may be a short waiting time. 

Cancel a referral

If at any time you decide not to continue with your referral, you just need to call us to let us know that you no longer wish to receive our support:

Service feedback

Your experience and opinions of the DVAP adult service is important to us. If you would like to provide feedback, positive or negative, them please complete the form:

DVAP adult victim service feedback form

Any feedback you provide helps us to improve the support we offer to others.

Practitioner referrals

Practitioners and professionals should refer clients to the DVAP service using the practitioner referral form.

Practitioners - referral process and more information