NCC1372 Integrated Domestic Abuse Service for Northumberland - deadline extension

Northumberland County Council seeks to meet its responsibilities under the Domestic Abuse Act in relation to domestic abuse for victims, perpetrators and children through commissioning a service to help reduce the incidents and impact of domestic abuse. The service will form part of a whole system response to domestic abuse, including identification, referral and triage and provide an accessible, equitable service to victims of domestic abuse and have a trauma informed approach and ensure that trauma informed practice is embedded across the organisation.

The Provider will deliver voluntary, non-clinical play therapy and counselling for children and young people from the ages of 4 - 18 who have suffered from domestic abuse. The Provider will also provide outreach support.

This work will reduce the impact of trauma and support them to heal from their experiences. To work with people both male and female (aged 18 and over) and to operate as a single point of entry for referrals and subsequent delivery for residents of Northumberland or those referred by Northumberland social care.

The referrals should be for people who agree to engage and take responsibility and wish to change their abusive behaviour. The service will focus on increasing the safety of partners, children, and family members to reduce the incidents of domestic abuse within these relationships. The Provider will deliver a counselling service to both male and female service users of domestic abuse who require counselling to help overcome the various issues that they have faced during the time when they have experienced the abuse via a trauma informed approach.