What is Leeds Domestic Violence Service
Leeds Domestic Violence Service (LDVS) is a consortium providing a support service for individuals, children and families affected by domestic violence and abuse and contributing to the wider work programme of tackling domestic violence and abuse across Leeds.
The consortium consists of Leeds Women’s Aid, Behind Closed Doors, and Women's Health Matters; all have expertise in domestic violence and abuse.
How LDVS works
LDVS is able to provide a tailored and seamless pathway for service users, who will only have to tell their story once and users are at the heart of what the service offers. LDVS has been designed around principles.
Inclusive and accessible
Recognising that domestic violence and abuse cuts across people's ethnicity, religion, class, age, sexual orientation, disability or lifestyle and can occur in a range of relationships. LDVS acknowledges this and addresses the barriers that prevent individuals from accessing support, for example by offering interpreting and translation services to service users who speak or understand little or no English.
Flexible and responsive
LDVS responds to emerging and changing need, both for individual service users, for example in response to changing levels of risk, and as an organisation, contributing to city-wide partnerships as they continue to develop.
Think family, work family approach
Working with a Think Family, Work Family approach and working in partnership with other practitioners through ’Team Around the Family’ approaches. Where the service user has children (either living with them or elsewhere), the assessment and support plan will consider the impact of the situation on the children.
Find our more information on Think family work family approach.
Proactive and resolute
LDVS practices assertive outreach, adopting persistent approaches to support positive engagement of individuals who have been identified as being at risk but who are difficult to contact or reluctant to engage with support.
Supporting service users with multiple needs requiring intensive support
LDVS is able to deal effectively with multiple needs, including drug and alcohol misuse and debt.
Restorative, aspirational and trauma-informed in approach
LDVS works restoratively with service users, offering high challenge and high support to help people identify sustainable long-term solutions which recognise their strengths. LDVS promotes recovery, demonstrating that people can move to be free from the harms, risks and threats associated with domestic violence and abuse.
A learning organisation, sharing knowledge and expertise
Through its partnership work with other agencies and organisations, LDVS supports the development of the skills and confidence of staff in frontline services to respond effectively to domestic violence and abuse. The service also works together with partner organisations to develop new and innovative ways of working on this agenda.
How LDVS provides support
LDVS works with all genders, families and children in Leeds to offer a range of support:
A 24-hour helpline (0113 246 0401)
Individuals, professionals, or family members can call at any time to discuss their situation, request information, or seek support from LDVS. There is also an email address: hello@ldvs.co.uk. All of this can be accessed anonymously.
Drop-in service
Regular, discreet drop-in services across the city; details available via the helpline. Friends, family members or supporting practitioners are welcome to accompany anyone who attends.
Group support
Support groups for women are available in different locations around the city. Groups provide opportunities for women to meet others who have been through or are going through similar experiences. Additionally, members can receive advice, signposting, and referrals for other support.
Community IDVA (Independent Domestic Violence Advocate) team
IDVAs provide practical and emotional support on housing, welfare rights, budgeting, safety planning, health and social care and community engagement. IDVAs accompany victim-survivors to legal appointments and attend Family Court with the victim-survivor as well as liaising with specialist support agencies.
Criminal Justice IDVA team
CJ IDVAs work alongside multi-agency meetings like MARAC (Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference), DRAM (Daily Risk Assessment Meeting) and Clare’s Law. They have a focus on criminal law, providing legal support and advocacy including support during the criminal process, pre-court visits, requesting special measures and restraining orders. The team has a Complex Needs IDVA and a Young Persons IDVA.
Sanctuary Support Team
The Sanctuary Support Team (SST) helps victim-survivors of domestic abuse stay safe in their homes. SST Support Workers are based within partner organisations across Leeds; Behind Closed Doors, Women’s Health Matters, Karma Nirvana, Shantona, PAFRAS, Age UK and Asha Neighbourhood Project. Support Workers within these organisations have different specialisms, working closely together to deliver support and safer housing for individuals and families recovering from domestic abuse. SST provides support to victim-survivors of domestic abuse living in properties that have been made safer through a sanctuary installation by Leeds Housing Options (based within Leeds City Council).
Emergency accommodation
LDVS can offer emergency accommodation to anyone experiencing domestic violence and abuse who needs safe and secure temporary housing, regardless of gender or whether they have children. They also provide women-only refuges and can help individuals find alternative accommodation when needed.
Support for children and young people in refuges
LDVS has specialist children’s workers who support families with practical matters such as finding school places and making travel arrangements, as well as offering outings and activities for families and providing one-on-one support or therapeutic play for children. Young people in refuges who have experienced violence or abuse in their own relationships are offered a keyworker.
What practitioners should do if they are working with someone who may need LDVS support
Practitioners can, with the consent of the person they are working with, complete the LDVS referral form on the LDVS website. For further information and advice, practitioners should contact the helpline on 0113 246 0401.
Key contacts and more information
More information is available from the LDVS website.
Alternatively, practitioners can request further information by emailing hello@ldvs.uk.
A 24-hour helpline is available on 0113 246 0401 to offer information and advice to victims, members of the public and practitioners.
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