For Professionals

This page has information for professionals on how to refer someone they are supporting to LDVS for support with domestic violence and abuse. To make a referral for support, please complete our Online Referral form by clicking on the link at the bottom of this page.

Please read the following information before making a referral:

You need to obtain the consent of the individual before making the referral for support. Before making the referral, please make sure that the victim-survivor is affected by and/or fleeing domestic violence or abuse. This can include stalking, honour-based violence, forced marriage or female genital mutilation.

We are not an emergency service; if your service user requires immediate assistance or safeguarding, please contact emergency services by calling 999. Please also be aware that we are not a mental health service and we do not offer counselling.

 LDVS is a very busy service and we’re currently experiencing an extremely high demand but we will aim to process new referrals as soon as we can. By completing the online referral form, you are helping us to contact the victim-survivor as safely and quickly as possible.

Please do give us as much information as possible, including any DASH risk assessments or MARAC paperwork. This saves the victim-survivor from being asked the same questions again and helps us to understand more about their particular needs and circumstances. If the victim survivor and the alleged perpetrator still live together, please ensure you provide us with information regarding safe contact days/times (agreed in advance with the victim-survivor) so that we can ensure we are attempting contact when the alleged perpetrator is not likely to be present. This is the minimise any further risk to the victim survivor. Please be aware that if we do not receive explicit safe contact information, this may unfortunately result in your referral being declined.

We ask that only professionals complete the online referral. If you require support for yourself or for a friend/family member – please contact our Helpline on 0113 2460401 or email [email protected] or click here.