The ECP IDVA and Therapeutic Service is a standard to medium risk service which offers free and confidential support for children and adults living in Bedfordshire experiencing domestic abuse. Together with local partners, our goal is to develop a model of community based domestic abuse provision, that delivers a holistic and tailored response within local communities.
We empower individuals to navigate their journey towards a hopeful and happier future through a structured framework of personal and psychological change. Our approach acknowledges that recovery is a non-linear journey. Individuals may move back and forth between different stages as they process their experiences and work through their trauma. Healing is unique to each person, and our skilful and compassionate team is here to empower survivors at every step, and in their own time.
Contact us:
Opening hours are Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 5:00pm
Email us: [email protected]
Please note this is a standard to medium risk service. There is an additional service for those at high risk of harm from domestic abuse. Please visit Victim Support Independent Domestic Violence Advisory Service Bedfordshire. https://bedsdv.org.uk/get-help/victim-support-bedfordshire/
Our services:
IDVA Service
What support does it include?
• Domestic Abuse awareness sessions
• Safety planning and undertaking risk assessments
• Supporting clients to increase security in their property and their community so they can live safely
• Providing emotional support and referring victims to therapeutic support services
• Finances and welfare benefits
• Access to legal services
• Helping client with resettlement plans and accessing safe accommodation
• Supporting clients with ongoing child protection issues, liaising with social workers and attending relevant multi-agency meetings with the client
Adult Counselling
What is counselling?
Our free counselling support is available to all women and men living in Bedfordshire.
Counselling provides a safe space for you to reflect on your experiences, identify patterns of behaviour and explore coping strategies to help you navigate everyday life.
To request counselling, please complete the referral form.
Once this is received, someone from our admin team will contact you. If you require any further information or need help to complete the form, please contact us.
Female Therapeutic Support Groups
Tell me more…
• 6-week Liberty wellbeing programme. A client led programme that focuses on emotional wellbeing. It aims to help you increase your self-esteem and confidence and build support networks with those with similar experiences.
• 17-week Liberty domestic abuse awareness programme. This course focuses on rebuilding confidence and self-esteem, whilst increasing the victims’ knowledge of the impact of DA on them and their families and provides skills, practical support and guidance to identify risks and make positive choices for them and their families.
To request a support programme, please complete the referral form.
Once this is received, someone from our admin team will contact you. If you require any further information or need help to complete the form, please contact us.
Play Therapy and Children’s Therapeutic Groups
How does Play Therapy help?
• Provides and models a safe and healthy attachment: this coregulation helps rewire the child’s brain for regulation.
• Provides a non- judgmental space: this enables uninhibited expression of feelings and emotions.
• Offers a way for children to communicate their feelings at their level: play and creative
• Expression come more naturally to children, compared to talking.
• Enables processing of trauma: children may play out traumatic events in session (if they feel safe enough to do so) and this can help them integrate these events into the rational part of their brain, so they are less likely to develop post-traumatic stress/ develop phobias.
• Builds self-esteem: makes children feel valued as their self-esteem may be low due to their experiences; the process helps them take ownership of their own thoughts and feelings, rather than seeking validation from others.
• Stops the cycle of abuse: helps children be aware of their right to feel safe in order to keep them safe in relationships in the future.
• Helps educational outcomes: alleviates emotional and behavioral difficulties to help children focus on school
To request play therapy, please complete the referral form.
Once this is received, someone from our admin team will contact you. If you require any further information or need help to complete the form, please contact us.
DASH (Domestic Abuse Support Hub) Helpline and Webchat
Learn more…
If you are a resident of Bedfordshire aged 16+ who is or has been subjected to domestic abuse, then the Domestic Abuse Support Hub can help.
Contact us: 0300 131 7154
Web chat link: coming soon
What we will do…
• Provide a non-judgmental, safe space to discuss your individual needs.
• Make referrals with your agreement to other organisations, so you don’t have to.
• Arrange for you to gain a range of practical and emotional support for domestic abuse related issues via one access point.
Male Therapeutic Peer Support Groups
Tell me more…
• 6-week TALK:4M wellbeing programme. A client led programme that focuses on emotional wellbeing. It aims to help you Increase your self-esteem and confidence and build support networks with those with similar experiences.
• 13 weeks TALK:4M domestic abuse awareness programme. Male specific programme that focuses on breaking down stigma of male domestic abuse, rebuilding confidence, mental and emotional health and provides an opportunity for men to talk about their experiences with other victims through a peer network.
To request these support groups, please complete the referral form.
Once this is received, someone from our admin team will contact you. If you require any further information or need help to complete the form, please contact us.
Referral process
You can refer using the referral form and email the completed form to [email protected].
A referral can also be made by a professional, however, this needs to be with the service user’s full consent.
If you are in immediate danger, call the police on 999.
Contact us:
Opening hours are Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 5:00pm
Email us: [email protected]
Please note this is a standard to medium risk service. There is an additional service for those at high risk of harm from domestic abuse. Please visit Victim Support Independent Domestic Violence Advisory Service Bedfordshire.
The level of risk is measured using a DASH risk checklist (Domestic Abuse, Stalking and ‘Honour’- based abuse). If you are unsure of the risk level, please call DASH helpline on 0300 131 7154.
Adult Referral Form Children and Young Person Referral Form
