Wirral Family Safety Unit
Wirral Family Safety Unit (FSU) is a team of Independent Domestic Violence Advocates (IDVAs). The Unit provides independent and impartial advice to any high risk victim or survivor of domestic abuse.
How an IDVA can help:
- They will listen to the victim and believe them
- Assess the victim’s risk and prioritise their safety
- Provide advice and support to help them think through their options
- Help them develop their own safety plan
- Support them to end an abusive or dangerous relationship safely
- Understand the impact domestic abuse has on children and help the victim provide them with the support they need
- Signpost to other specialist services such as counselling, housing, legal and refuge services, to help increase the victim’s safety
- Support and explain legal jargon, processes and discuss the victim’s options
- Ensure other agencies work together to help increase the safety of the victim
- Support the victim to make their own decisions that are right for them
- IDVAs are the voice of their clients at MARAC (Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference) meetings and can advocate on their behalf
- Provide advice and guidance to other professionals on domestic abuse
- IDVAs can support people age 16 and above and there are IDVAs who are specially trained to support young people
The Family Safety Unit can be contacted on 0151 666 4914.