Living with domestic abuse can have an impact upon children but, with the right help, they can recover. If you are concerned about your child you could:
- Talk to a health visitor, school staff, GP or other professional. Ask them about early help or contact 01934 426 329 or EarlyHelp.AssessmentFeedback@n-somerset.gov.uk for an early help assessment in order to find out what support you could receive. There is information on this here
- Find out about My Kids and Me – a groupwork course for mothers about parenting after domestic abuse. Find out about this course by calling the DAFFS line 0800 694 or, if you are a father, for some advice
- Download our booklet; Talking to Children about Domestic Abuse for tips and advice about what to say
- Find out about the High Impact Families (HIF) Programme to see if you could get some support for your family. The HIF actively seeks to support families, who meet a combination of specific criteria, using a co-ordinated, ‘whole family approach’. The criteria are: Domestic Abuse, Crime & Anti-social Behaviour, Unemployment, Physical and/or Mental Health, Education Issues & ‘Children Who Need Help’. In order to discuss further, please call 01934 426512 / 07917 228 388.
- Enable your child to access The Hideout; a website run by Women’s Aid for children and young people
- Visit the North Somerset Safeguarding Children Board website for information about all aspects of child safeguarding and support
- Visit North Somerset Council’s online directory for information about support, activities and groups across the district
- If the child/young person you are concerned about is aged 5 to 18 (or 25 if they have additional needs), find out about the support that the Young Victims’ Service can provide
- If you live in the Bournville area of Weston-super-Mare you could find out about Wanted Not Wasted – they offer drop-ins, mentoring and more
- If your child is having to take on caring responsibilities for an adult, find out about support for Young Carers