What support is available at a refuge? - Going into a refuge - Leaving home - Practical Help - Domestic Violence Forum - The London borough of Barking and Dagenham.

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Going into a refuge

What support is available at a refuge?

Most refuges have several full time staff (and sometimes volunteers) who usually work office hours but who may also have a mobile or bleep system for out-of-hours emergency situations. Refuge workers can offer support, advocacy and advice in a number of areas including:

Safety (your safety and that of your children is a crucial priority)
Claiming benefits (e.g. income support and housing benefit)
Making homeless applications or applying for a management transfer If you have an existing council or housing association tenancy
Finding new schools and/or nurseries for your children
Giving information about other agencies (e.g. solicitors, counsellors, social services)
Referrals to other agencies
Advocacy support to help you get the support you need from other agencies (e.g. housing, DSS, police, social services etc)
Running regular house meetings for all residents
Offering regular key-work support to identify and meet the specific needs of individual residents

Most refuges employ specialist children's workers who offer a range of support services to children living in the refuge. These may include:

Regular play sessions for children under five (usually up to 2 hours per session)
After School Club activities for school age children
Regular children's meetings for children living in the refuge
Holiday play schemes
Annual holidays out of the refuge
Information on other children's services outside the refuge
Referral to other children's agencies
Liaison and/or advocacy support in relation to other relevant agencies (e.g. social services/child protection support, counselling centres for children, play services, schools and nurseries)
Key sessions with mothers to identify and meet the particular needs of children living in the refuge.

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Barking and Dagenham Domestic Violence Forum