Domestic Abuse - children and young people support services

Home > Services > Social care and health > Domestic violence

Renfrewshire Women and Children First Project can provide a range of support services to women and children who have experienced rape, sexual assault, physical abuse, harassment and/or child sexual abuse, whether in the home or in the wider community.

Women and Children First are located in Paisley and offer a support service to the residents of Renfrewshire. In collaboration with Children 1st, the Project provides a counselling/support service specifically to meet the needs of children and young people affected by abuse or violence.

The Project can offer a therapeutic environment where children/young people can explore their experiences. Whether their experiences are related to sexual abuse or physical abuse, the world of a child can be full of confused feelings and uncertainties. Through discussion, painting and play, we can help a child/young person to make sense of their world and the relationships within it.

Confidentiality
Whatever is discussed with the child or family will be kept confidential within the staff team. Where possible the support worker will always seek permission before passing on information to other organisations. Confidentiality will be broken where there are concerns for the safety or well being of a child or another person.

Renfrewshire Women and Children First adhere to the Child Protection procedures in accordance with Renfrewshire Council.

Referral process
Referrals will be accepted from a young person, parent/carer or other relevant person. Accessing the child/young person counselling service is simple. Referrals are taken over the telephone and only a small amount of information is required in order to begin the referral process.

We would ask that the referrer has the following details available to them when making the call:

• Child's full name, date of birth and address of where the child/young person resides i.e. home, residential unit, foster carer
• Name, address and telephone number of child's next of kin (if not the referrer)
• Name and address of child's school and where possible the name of the child's guidance teacher
• Name and address of child's GP

Referrals can also be made on behalf of other family members who may benefit from therapeutic interventions. Individual family and/or group work can be made available at the Children and Family Service based in Glasgow.

Our child/young person counselling service has a child centred philosophy and we ask that the referrer obtain the child/young person's consent before referral is made. Following referral, contact will be made to the referrer and client offering the first available appointment. After initial assessment (1-3 sessions) feedback will be offered to the referrer either as a written report or by telephone. The child/young person will be made aware of the feedback process and encouraged to participate where appropriate.

If you would like more information or advice on the Women and Children First you can contact them by:

email: woman.sw@renfrewshire.gov.uk

or telephone: 0141 887 7227

Back to top