Welcome to Leeds Domestic Violence Service (LDVS). LDVS works with women, men and families in Leeds, offering emergency accommodation, support, advice and advocacy. LDVS supports anyone experiencing domestic violence and abuse and actively encourages people from LGBT+ communities to access our support.
For help and support:
- Call the 24 Hour Helpline on 0113 246 0401
- Email administration@leedswomensaid.org.uk
- Online chat – available Monday to Friday 1-3pm and Tuesdays & Thursdays 7.30pm-9.30pm – go to the Leeds Women’s Aid homepage – www.leedswomensaid.org.uk to access a confidential online Live Chat for support and help
LDVS Position Statement in relation to COVID-19
Update 29 June 2020
Leeds Domestic Violence Service (LDVS) is a partnership of 3 specialist services in Leeds: Leeds Women’s Aid, Behind Closed Doors and Womens Health Matters, delivering the local authority commissioned community and emergency accommodation-based services.
We want to update you on how we’re responding to the challenges of Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Our Services
We are regularly reviewing our contingency plans to reduce risk and make sure our staff are protected and our services continue.
Refuge Services
Our refuges remain open and risk assessments and measures are regularly reviewed. Referrals are taken as usual but some additional questions related to Covid-19 are routinely being asked for anyone being admitted to refuge. Additionally, in refuge space where there are shared facilities there are extra requirements to meet health and safety relating to Covid-19.
Children & Young People’s workers have developed packs for the children and face time is being used with those who are self-isolating
Family activities are continuing and meeting social distancing guidelines and risk assessments.
Community Services
Wherever possible we are continuing to offer our services remotely but we are aware that some people may not be able to access our services in this way. We will now provide some face to face work in the community in limited circumstances to ensure the safety of some of our most vulnerable clients. This will be done with a thorough assessment of need and risk.
Call conferencing is still being used for essential MARAC/FDSH and other multi-agency work as agreed by all stakeholders.
The 24/7 helpline, email and text advice are continuing with most of this being completed remotely.
Community DV Practitioners are continuing to work remotely but in exceptional cases as above face to work may be carried out.
Independent Domestic Violence Advocates (IDVAs) are continuing to work remotely but may undertake work in court from the first week in July but this will be risk assessed and informed by the courts risk assessments regarding distancing and space available.
Support groups have been temporarily suspended as groups but staff are continuing to support group members on a 121 basis by phone. There may be the occasional small group activity but this is risk assessed and managed carefully. Resources have been developed and provided which include links to online resources and other information.
Drop-ins have been suspended but this will be reviewed with the host organisations. Alternative ways of accessing direct help are provided such as Online chat and email and text advice as above.
We have a member of staff in the police control room for 4 nights a week 4.30pm to 11pm
Early Help Hubs – our DV Practitioners, as per guidance, is operating remotely
If you need our support, please call 0113 246 0401 or email administration@leedswomensaid.org.uk.
Please stay safe and well.
Please also refer to the Leeds City Council website for the latest Covid19 information:
https://www.leeds.gov.uk/coronavirus/people-and-communities
https://www.leeds.gov.uk/coronavirus/messages-to-share