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Solace Women's Aid (SWA) and CEA@Islington have a new service for children and young people aged between 5 and 16, affected by domestic violence but not accessing refuge accommodation.
The purpose is to help children identify and express emotions related to the violence including: Loss, shame, guilt, anger, blame.
There is support to understand the abuse of power and control they have experienced and in finding a way to recover from it. Positive conflict resolution through play, art or drama is explored so children learn new ways to solve problems and be heard.
Safety planning helps empower children and keeps them safer in the event of further violence. It is hoped they will also make more informed choices around personal relationships.
The programme runs for 12 weeks and groups meets for one and a half hours every week. Each group is age-specific and gender-balanced with four to six participants. Two experienced group workers, qualified in play and youth work facilitate each session. Most groups are currently held at the SWA Outreach Project, but we plan to use venues across Islington.
Mother’s / female carers must also attend adult meetings and commit to working with their child regularly on ‘home-play’ assignments, which will help further the healing process.
Meetings for mothers / female carers are designed to help improve relationships with their children. Through connections with other mothers also affected by domestic violence, there is an opportunity to enhance personal networks and decrease the sense of isolation that can exist.
It is very important that both the carer and child actively and willingly participate. Referrals must be made in full consultation with them. When a referral is made, an initial assessment will take place to see if the child / young person is suitable for group work.
Up to six individual support sessions are provided during the child's time on the programme. At the end, an exit assessment takes place, to evaluate and refer to specialist agencies for follow-on work if needed. There may be further meetings to maintain contact / track progress.
For further information, please contact Jo Ferrell:
Email: j.ferrell@iwauk.org
Tel: 020 7272 1439
Leave a message: 020 7263 9977
Page Last Updated: 31 October 2008