3.3 Identify different sources of information and support available to adults and children experiencing domestic abuse

This guide will help you answer 3.3 Identify different sources of information and support available to adults and children experiencing domestic abuse.

Domestic abuse affects people across all ages and backgrounds. It can include physical harm, emotional control, financial control, sexual abuse and other behaviours that make someone feel unsafe. Support needs to be accessible and safe both for adults and for children. Knowing the different sources of help is important for health and social care workers so they can guide service users to the right place.

Police and Law Enforcement

The police can act quickly when someone is in danger. They can remove the person causing harm or arrange protective measures. They can give advice about legal rights and help with obtaining protection orders such as Non-Molestation Orders or Occupation Orders.

The police can connect victims to:

• Domestic abuse support units
• Victim support services
• Emergency accommodation contacts

Calling 999 in emergencies gives immediate access to officers trained to deal with abuse situations. Calling the non-emergency number 101 can help with advice and reporting ongoing issues.

NHS and Health Services

Healthcare services can spot signs of abuse during routine appointments or emergency visits. They can offer physical healthcare, mental health support and referrals to specialist services.

NHS sources include:

• GP surgeries for confidential advice and referrals
• Accident and emergency departments for urgent care
• Mental health teams for emotional support
• Midwives and health visitors who can work with families

Healthcare staff can provide information cards, discreet contact details and links to support agencies.

Local Authority Services

Local councils have domestic abuse strategies and can arrange housing and financial support. Social services teams protect adults at risk and safeguard children.

Key local authority services:

• Adult social care for protecting vulnerable adults
• Children’s safeguarding services for protecting children from harm
• Housing departments for emergency and temporary accommodation
• Financial support teams for benefits advice and grants

Workers can call council hotlines or fill out online safeguarding concern forms.

Domestic Abuse Charities and Helplines

Specialist charities offer confidential help by phone, online chat or face to face. They often run refuge accommodation and outreach programmes.

Examples include:

• Refuge – runs national helpline and safe houses
• Women’s Aid – support and advice for women and children
• Men’s Advice Line – support for male victims
• Galop – charity for LGBTQ+ people facing abuse
• National Domestic Abuse Helpline – open 24 hours for advice and safety planning

Helplines allow victims to speak anonymously and get practical advice without being judged.

Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs)

IDVAs are trained specialists who work with adults at high risk of harm. They help victims understand their options, talk to the police, attend court and arrange support plans.

They can support with:

• Safety planning
• Access to safe accommodation
• Liaising with housing, police and healthcare
• Attending Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARAC)

IDVAs often work in both charities and local authority teams.

Legal Services and Solicitors

Specialist solicitors can help victims use the law to protect themselves and their children. Many offer free initial advice or work under Legal Aid.

Legal support can help with:

• Applying for protection orders
• Custody arrangements and child contact issues
• Divorce and separation agreements
• Immigration issues where status is linked to a partner

Victims can be referred via police, charities or self-contact.

Schools and Education Services

Children may feel safer speaking to teachers or school counsellors. Schools can work with safeguarding leads to protect pupils and provide emotional support.

Schools can:

• Report concerns to children’s social care
• Offer counselling or mentoring
• Support with academic impacts from stress or relocation
• Work with parents and guardians to create safety plans

Child victims can receive ongoing emotional support through school wellbeing programmes.

Faith and Community Groups

Faith leaders and community group organisers can offer practical help and emotional comfort. They often know local support networks and can provide safe spaces.

These groups may:

• Offer confidential listening
• Help with food, clothing or transport
• Link victims to official services
• Provide translation for people with limited English

Some groups run specific domestic abuse advocacy projects.

Support for Children

Children experiencing domestic abuse need safe, accessible help that recognises their age and stage of development.

Support can be found through:

• Childline – a confidential helpline for under 19s
• NSPCC – advice and safeguarding interventions
• Young person’s counsellors in community centres
• Youth workers in charities and schools

Services often use child-friendly formats to explain rights and provide personal safety guidance.

Online Information and Support

Websites can give victims a way to find out about help without having to make calls they feel unsafe making.

Useful online sources include:

• National helpline websites with chat functions
• Local council domestic abuse pages
• Advice sections from police websites
• Online legal advice services
• Interactive safety planning tools

Workers can guide service users on how to clear website history to stay safe.

Safe Accommodation Services

Some victims need to leave their home quickly. Refuge centres and safe houses provide shelter and security.

Safe accommodation services offer:

• Confidential locations
• Support workers on site
• Help with benefits claims
• Access to healthcare and emotional support
• Assistance enrolling children in new schools

Stays can be short term or long term depending on need.

Multi-Agency Safeguarding Partnerships

Domestic abuse cases often require different organisations to work together. Partnership working can make sure victims get full support.

In these arrangements:

• Social care teams lead safeguarding actions
• Police provide protection and evidence gathering
• NHS staff address health and mental wellbeing
• Charities support with practical needs and legal contacts

Workers must know how to refer cases into these partnerships.

Peer Support Groups

Talking to others with similar experiences can help victims feel less isolated. These groups can be in person or online.

Peer groups offer:

• Emotional support from shared experiences
• Ideas for coping and safety
• Social contact to reduce isolation
• Opportunities to take part in community projects

Groups may be run by charities or local community centres.

Information for Friends and Family

People close to victims often want to help but do not know how. Giving them access to correct information helps them support safely.

Advice for friends and family includes:

• Listening without pressure
• Not confronting the abuser directly
• Offering safe transport or temporary shelter
• Keeping written contact details for agencies

Workers can provide printed leaflets or links to help guidance.

Workplace Support

Workplaces can act as a safe point for some victims. Some employers have domestic abuse policies that give extra leave or security arrangements.

Support in workplaces may include:

• HR teams trained in abuse awareness
• Access to employee assistance programmes
• Adjustments to working hours or duties
• Secure access control to keep the victim safe at work

Workers can help service users approach their employer if safe.

Specialist Services for Specific Groups

Some victims face barriers linked to culture, language, disability or immigration status. Specialist services meet these needs.

Examples of specialist agencies:

• Services for disabled victims offering adapted accommodation
• Charities for ethnic minority communities with staff who speak relevant languages
• Support for victims with no recourse to public funds linked to immigration
• LGBTQ+ specific domestic abuse charities

Knowing these services means support can be truly accessible.

Final Thoughts

Domestic abuse creates serious harm for both adults and children. Knowing the right sources of information and support is a core skill for health and social care workers. It allows victims to get help quickly and safely. Workers should keep up to date with contact numbers, websites and referral pathways in their local area.

Support must be practical, respectful and focused on the person’s safety. Every victim’s situation is different. Offering clear information without pressure can help them take steps when they are ready. By connecting victims to the right source, workers can play a key role in breaking the cycle of abuse and giving people a chance to rebuild their lives.