SafeNet Domestic Abuse and Support Services have been commissioned by Lancashire County Council to deliver a new countywide service that will be delivered alongside existing domestic abuse refuge services with the creation of Lancashire Refuges.
Lancashire Refuges, launching on September 22, 2019, will offer emergency safe accommodation and specialist support to victims and survivors of domestic abuse using a single point of access to accept referrals from across Lancashire 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with a dedicated referral helpline – 0300 303 3581.
SafeNet are working together with Fylde Coast Women’s Aid (FCWA), West Lancashire Women’s Refuge at The Liberty Centre and South Ribble Women’s Refuge and Chorley Women’s Refuge (Progress Group) to support women and children across the county, having successfully won the tender in August 2019.
The support will include temporary emergency accommodation, including Jane’s Place; the only complex needs Recovery Refuge in the North West.
Specialist domestic abuse support staff are trained to deliver tailored support to all victims and survivors including those from BAME and LGBTQI communities, children and young people, those with additional complex needs, those with additional mobility, sensory, physical and learning needs and male victims.
Lancashire Refuges can accommodate larger families through safe house provisions and can also assist in accommodating pets via established pet foster services and employees at The Calico Group.
Helen Gauder, Managing Director at SafeNet Domestic Abuse and Support Services, said: “We are delighted to lead the delivery and development of safe refuge services though Lancashire Refuges and to positively influence and shape services for victims and survivors of abuse over the coming years.
“We are fully committed to delivering best quality accommodation with specialist bespoke support, keeping all victims and survivors safe and supporting them towards safer, healthier and happier futures. We are working to strengthen and extend refuge services to ensure we can sustain and grow our services to meet the increasing demand for safe refuge spaces in Lancashire”.
County Councillor Peter Buckley, Lancashire County Council’s cabinet member for community and cultural services, said: “Lancashire County Council has awarded this contract in the expectation that we will benefit from the skills and expertise of our very experienced local domestic abuse providers. I don’t think I need to convince anyone how important it is to keep women and children safe and support better long term outcomes for all survivors of domestic abuse.
“The council has committed our resources to make sure that refuge accommodation is available to meet the needs of people in crisis. We look forward to working with SafeNet and their delivery partners throughout the life of this five year contract as it continues to develop and improve the refuges.”
For more information about Lancashire Refuges, visit www.lancashirerefuges.org.uk
