ReferKent – Online referral system to mitigate the action of signposting
- May 2024
- Lead Member Cardiff Council
- Categories Health & Social Care
In response to the Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act 2015, Cardiff Council has commissioned a truly holistic and fit-for-purpose service for female victims. This has included taking a flexible approach to the previous role of the Independent Domestic Violence Advocate and combining this with that of Support Worker to deliver a team of Independent Personal Advocates who can provide both practical and psychological support to victims and their children.
RISE brings together the expertise of a range of specialist agencies in the city – Cardiff Women’s Aid is the lead provider, working collaboratively with Bawso (an all-Wales voluntary organisation, supporting BME people in Wales experiencing abuse) and Llamau (Wales’ leading charity for young people & women facing homelessness) in a consortium. Together they deliver a range of support services to assist victims (and their children) of any form of violence against women, domestic abuse and/or sexual violence (VAWDASV):
A One-Stop Shop offering:
- Advice, information and a full triage assessment to consider needs and risk;
- Management of referrals from victims, friends, family and professionals;
- Signposting as necessary to other specialist/ non-specialist services;
- Management of all police referrals (PPNs), both adult victims and any children affected and making initial contact to offer services;
- Access to other co-located partner support services such as solicitors and the Citizens Advice Bureau.
