One minute guide: Leeds Domestic Violence Service (LDVS)

What is Leeds Domestic Violence Service

Leeds Domestic Violence Service (LDVS) is a consortium arrangement providing a comprehensive support service for individuals, children and families affected by domestic violence and abuse.

The consortium consists of Leeds Women’s Aid, Behind Closed Doors, and Women's Health Matters; all have expertise specialising in domestic violence and abuse.

The service contributes to the wider work programme, tackling domestic violence and abuse across the city.

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 the following integral principles and is:

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, e.g. 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. 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.

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 and test new 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 a Contact Us button on the LDVS website for anyone affected by domestic violence and abuse, and 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 Domestic Violence Team

Providing practical and emotional support on housing, welfare rights, budgeting, safety planning, health and social care and community engagement. Practitioners accompany service users to legal appointments and attendance at the Family Court, as well as liaising with specialist support agencies.

Independent Domestic Violence Advocates (IDVA Team)

IDVAs support service users who need immediate crisis or safety advice, focusing on reducing their risk. They work alongside multi-agency meetings like MARAC and DRAM. They also provide legal support and advocacy on various issues within family and criminal law, including injunctions, divorce, issues relating to the care of children, pre-court visits and support at trial.

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. This support includes helping 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.

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