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York services for children and young people

There are a number of services in York that are available for Children and Young People in York and their families. These services have been set up to provide support to children and young people and professionals working with children and young people who are able to refer to these services.

Some of these services have been commissioned by the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

Survive and Community Counselling

An all age, counselling and talking therapy service to support victims of crime to cope and recover. The service aims to enable victims to either support themselves independently or be supported through an appropriate peer support network by the end of provision.

Community Counselling deliver adult (aged 18 and over) services in Scarborough and Ryedale as well as a countywide service for young people (aged 17 and under).

Survive deliver adult services in Craven, Hambleton, Harrogate, Richmondshire, York and Selby.

Referrals are made via the Supporting Victims team.

Contact details:

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Adult Perpetrators of Domestic Abuse service - Foundation +Choices

+Choices (Positive Choices) is a service of Foundation, part of the Inspire North group, which provides award-winning support services and accredited training in areas such as mental health, housing, and domestic abuse across the north of England.

Positive Choices work with low to medium risk perpetrators of domestic abuse, providing an opportunity to recognise, acknowledge and change abuse behaviour.

The Positive Choices programme is available for anyone, regardless of gender or sexual orientation aged 16 years and over who is a perpetrator of domestic abuse, including repeat offenders and adolescents violent toward parents, who wish to voluntary address their abusive behaviour.

The Positive Choices domestic abuse perpetrator programme is delivered as part of a whole system wherein partners, ex-partners and/or other family members are also offered access to our Integrated Support Service (ISS). A dedicated Victim Liaison Officer (VLO) will be the first point of contact whilst the perpetrator is engaging with the programme. They will work in partnership with other agencies to provide a robust and integrated system of support for the partners and/or ex-partners of the clients that engage with the programme, with the key focus to increase their safety and wellbeing, as well as the safety of any children involved.

Positive Choices is a Respect Accredited service and is a recommended provision of Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Programme (DAPP) support for perpetrators and victims of domestic abuse.

Positive Choices offer:

  • triage and emergency, temporary accommodation for those who do not have access to funds or alternative accommodation
  • one-to-one motivational interventions
  • tailored Choices Perpetrator Programme, group delivery or Respect Accredited one to one for those not suitable to attend group settings
  • support to address wider needs such as housing, finance, substance misuse and mental health through onward referrals and/or liaison with other support services as appropriate

Some individuals may require emergency accommodation as they have been removed from their home due to the risk they pose to their victim and/or family. We will assist in accessing temporary accommodation, with support to report to the local housing office the next working day when longer term accommodation is required.

Once any immediate needs have been addressed, perpetrators will be allocated to an Appropriate Project Officer and a full needs and risk assessment will be undertaken with them to identify the most suitable support to address their needs.

Individuals ready to engage with the core programme will be supported through a tailored package of interventions to meet their individual needs and guide them through the various stages of the group peer support led behaviour change programme. Or Respect accredited one-to-one sessions.

The overall objective of the service is to enable individuals, regardless of gender, who are engaged in abusive behaviour towards their current or former intimate partners, or immediate family members, the opportunity to recognise, acknowledge and change that behaviour. The aim is to prevent the abusive behaviour escalating and/or reduce the risk posed to, whilst increasing the safety of, victims and their children.

Positive Choices referrals

Referrals can be made by agencies and other professionals working with perpetrators, their families, or victims. You can also self-refer, using the online referral form.

Referrals can only be accepted where explicit consent has been obtained from the individual who recognised and accepts their abusive behaviour and is ready to engage in our behaviour change programme.

Not be referred as part of a court ordered activity, where there are ongoing child application arrangements. In such cases a referral to a Cafcass approved provider is needed.

All referrals will be assessed by the appropriate Project Officer, who will review all relevant information regarding risk. They will then complete an initial risk assessment including the individuals' suitability for the programme; identification of their most immediate needs; and any action needed to safeguard the victim from further harm.

Contact details:

Foundation +Choices Perpetrator Prevention Toolkit Workshops

Share your contact details in order find out more about Foundation +Choices Perpetrator Prevention Toolkit Workshops by completing the Enquiry Form on their website.

The domestic abuse perpetrator prevention workshop helps:

  • raise awareness of domestic abuse
  • dispel myths and provide clarity surrounding domestic abuse for both perpetrators and victims
  • recognise the signs of domestic abuse and confidently discuss the issues raised
  • make aware and explain the referral process
  • show employers how domestic abuse is a workplace issue and what can be done to help

If you would like more information on toolkit DA information sessions email: [email protected] to be the first to hear about new projects and opportunities via their newsletter.

Domestic Abuse Victims Community Based Support services - IDAS

Delivered by Independent Domestic Abuse Services (IDAS), support is available for anyone aged 16 and over who is a direct victim or survivor of domestic abuse. Support is available for all genders and regardless of sexual orientation. The services offer:

  • community engagement and Champions training to raise awareness of all forms of domestic abuse
  • early intervention and prevention advice and support
  • one-to-one emotional and practical support, including support through any police investigation and/or court proceedings
  • target Hardening where necessary to help victims remain safely within their own homes
  • supported group work and peer support networks
  • onward referrals and/or liaison with other agencies and support services as appropriate

The overall objective of the service is to enable all victims and survivors of domestic abuse to cope with the immediate impacts of crime and recover from the harm experienced, and reach out to more people who are victims and survivors of domestic abuse through targeted community engagement to encourage an increase in self-reporting to access support. The aim is for victims and survivors to be and feel safer in their own home, and to be able to support themselves independently, or through an appropriate peer support network by the end of the provision of support.

Referrals can be made by police officers and other professionals working with victims and survivors as well as self-referrals, and support is available whether individuals want to make a formal report to the police or not.

Contact details:

A live web chat facility is also available via the IDAS website.

All referrals will initially be reviewed by specialist domestic abuse staff in a centralised referral hub who will complete an initial assessment looking at risk and need, providing triage, immediate advice, support and safety planning including arranging personal or home security equipment as required. For those that require further support, the hub team will refer on to a Safe Lives Accredited (Independent Domestic Violence Adviser accredited) Domestic Abuse Practitioner to provide specialist one-to-one support, peer support group and/or to an external agency.

Domestic Abuse ‘Whole Family’ Approach: Support Services for children and young affected by domestic abuse - IDAS

Independent Domestic Abuse Services (IDAS) have been commissioned to develop a ‘Whole Family Approach’ from 1 July 2021 providing support services for children and young people affected by domestic abuse in North Yorkshire and the City of York. In addition to providing tailored support directly to children, young people and their parent/s or guardian/s, IDAS will work in collaboration with University of York St. John and other key stakeholders to significantly improve the overall evidence base of actual needs of children and young people living in households where domestic abuse occurs, and identify the most effective interventions to meet these needs and inform future service development and strategic planning.

Support will be available for all families with dependent children and young people living in households where domestic abuse occurs. Support is available for all genders and regardless of sexual orientation. The services will offer:

  • intensive one-to-one emotional and practical support for children and young people aged 10 years and over
  • referrals for parents/guardians into and ongoing liaison with IDAS victim services to ensure that support plans are co-ordinated and support the family’s common goals
  • supported group work and peer support networks
  • onward referrals and/or liaison with other support services as appropriate

The overall objective of the services is to enable children and young people living in households where domestic abuse occurs to cope with the immediate impacts and recover from the harm experienced. The aim is for children and young people to be and feel safer in their own home.
Referrals can be made by police officers and other professionals working with families as well as self-referrals, and support is available whether they want to make a formal report to the police or not.

Contact details:

A live web chat facility is also available via the IDAS website.

All referrals will initially be reviewed by specialist lead practitioner in a centralised referral hub who will complete an initial assessment looking at risk and need, referring into or liaising with the Domestic Abuse Victims Community Based Support services before allocating to a specialist Young Person Domestic Abuse Practitioner to ensure a holistic assessment of the whole family, alongside information about any other agency involvement, so that duplication is avoided and support is coordinated for the whole family.

Support Services for Young People Displaying Abusive Behaviour - Respect - IDAS

Delivered by Independent Domestic Abuse Services (IDAS), support is available for young people aged 10 to 16 years who are demonstrating abusive behaviour towards their family members and/or within intimate relationships with other young people. Support will also be offered to their parent/guardians. Support is available for all genders and regardless of sexual orientation. The services offer:

  • short-term telephone support for parent/guardians with supporting Parent Information Packs providing advice on safety planning, boundary setting and behaviour management
  • Respect Young People’s Programme, which uses a ‘whole family’ approach to address adolescent to parent violence and abuse
  • Specialist Young Perpetrators Programme, which uses a tailored one-to-one approach with older young people using abusive behaviours within intimate relationships with other young people
  • onward referrals and/or liaison with other support services as appropriate

The overall objective of services is to enable young people who are starting to show signs of or demonstrating abusive behaviour within intimate relationships and/or the family setting to recognise this and help them to change their behaviour and re-build their relationships with their intimate partner, parent/s, guardian/s and/or siblings. The aim is to prevent the abusive behaviour escalating and/or reduce the risk posed by the young people to their intimate partner, parent/s, guardian/s and/or siblings.

Referrals can be made by police officers and other professionals working with young people and their families (with consent) as well as self/parent-referrals.

Contact details:

A live web chat facility is also available via the IDAS website.

All referrals will initially be reviewed by specialist domestic abuse staff in a centralised referral hub who will complete an initial assessment looking at risk and need, providing triage, immediate advice, support and safety planning. For those that require further support, the hub team will refer on to a specially trained Young People’s Domestic Abuse Practitioner to provide the most appropriate support package to meet their needs.

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It is important not to make assumptions about the impact on a child of parental drug and/or alcohol misuse. However, a parent's practical caring skills may be diminished by misuse of drugs and/or alcohol. Some substance misuse may give rise to mental states or behaviour that put children at risk of injury, psychological distress or neglect. Some substance misusing parents may find it difficult to give priority to the needs of their children. Finding money for drugs and/or alcohol may reduce the money available to the household to meet basic needs or may draw families into criminal activities.

York Young Person’s Drug and Alcohol Team offer support for young people in the community or a school, at a mutually convenient place and time. Approach is flexible and based upon reducing the harm drugs and alcohol can cause. Referrals can be made by the Young People themselves, by family, friends and other professionals. The only requirement is that the young person is aware the referral is being made and they are willing to meet. All aspects of our service is free to access.

Support may include:

  • one-to-one support for young people under 18 using substances including alcohol
  • one-to-one support for those aged 18 to 21 using substances to support the transition to adult services
  • one-to-one support for 11 to 18 year olds affected by parental substance use
  • drug and alcohol education to schools, colleges and university
  • free professionals drug and alcohol awareness training

Making a Drug and Alcohol Team referral

Please complete the Young People’s Substance Misuse Referral Form, which is available on the Changing Lives website.

Email completed forms to: [email protected].

Changing Lives also offer a drug and alcohol dependency service for adults.

Contact details:

Address:

York Drug and Alcohol Service
3 Blossom Street
York
YO24 1AU

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This following services have been commissioned by the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

Hand in Hand - Children’s Society

The Hand in Hand service, delivered by the Children’s Society, supports children and young people, across City of York and North Yorkshire, who are affected by child sexual and criminal exploitation, those who are vulnerable to grooming and those who repeatedly go missing from home. The aim is to reduce the harm and incidence of child sexual and criminal exploitation and provide support and safety for those affected by it.

The service is available to children and young people aged 10 to 18 years who are affected by sexual or criminal exploitation, and those who repeatedly go missing from home in North Yorkshire and the City of York.

The service:

  • Raises awareness and develops and implements preventative strategies
  • Provides intensive individual support
  • Provides localised expertise through training and information events
  • contributes to multi-agency district-wide work, such as the Multi-agency Child Exploitation Meetings (MACEM), to identify and support victims and disrupt the organisation and facilitation of child sexual and criminal exploitation
  • offers tailored awareness raising sessions across educational settings

The service accepts self-referrals or agency referrals. For further information or to self-refer contact Hand in Hand on email: [email protected], or telephone: 0113 387 6410.

For all other queries, please contact Zoe Stephenson-Jones: [email protected].

Parents Against Child Exploitation

Parents Against Child Exploitation (PACE) offers a Parent Liaison Officer (PLO) support service in North Yorkshire for parents and carers of children who are, or who are at risk of being, exploited by individuals from outside the family. This includes all the main forms of child exploitation, including child sexual exploitation (CSE) child criminal exploitation (CCE) modern slavery, human trafficking and criminalisation (including county lines) and those who repeatedly go missing from home. The service deals with medium and high risk referrals, which can be referred into Pace by statutory and third sector agencies, self-referrals are also welcome.

PACE also run online webinars to work with low-risk parents/guardians to help them recognise the signs and symptoms of child exploitation.

The PLO service accepts self-referrals or agency referrals. For further information or to self-refer contact Leah Taylforth on email: [email protected].

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Crossroads: Adult Diversion Scheme

Provided by Humankind, the Crossroads Adult Diversion scheme goal is to prevent or intervene early to divert people from the criminal justice process by addressing the underlying causes of their offending behaviour. The overall aims of the Adult Crossroads Diversion scheme are to:

  • reduce the number of first-time entrants into the Criminal Justice System
  • reduce re-offending and antisocial behaviour
  • assess the needs of those on the scheme across the criminogenic pathways and evidence positive progress to address those needs

The Crossroads Adult Diversion scheme works with women and men aged 18 and over to offer trauma-informed support to address underlying causes of offending. Each individual will receive a tailored support package, the intensiveness of which will be responsive to their assessed needs. A dedicated keyworker will be allocated who will provide direct interventions, advocate and signpost into specialist agencies where necessary.

The scheme has 2 elements, a Community-Based Support Scheme and a Pre-Court Diversionary Support Scheme.

Community-Based Support Scheme

A Community-Based Support Scheme, for adult women or men who may be at risk of entering the Criminal Justice System or are known to North Yorkshire Police. The scheme will engage with individuals, at an early stage before criminal behaviour becomes habitual, to improve circumstances for both them and the local community.

Engagement will be on a voluntary basis. The community-based scheme is open to those who are not offending or have been involved in antisocial behaviour or committed very low-level offences. Various agencies may be working with individuals at this stage, and any agency can refer to this element of the scheme.

You can make a referral online. You will be required to enter your email address and then you will be sent an email, click on the appropriate link for the Crossroads Adult Diversion scheme. Once submitted, the referral form will go directly to Humankind who will then make contact with the individual to arrange an appointment.

Referrals can also be made via a referral form and Humankind also welcome self-referrals. To self-refer, request a referral form or for further information contact email: [email protected], or call telephone: 07939 209087.

Pre-Court Diversionary Support Scheme

A Pre-Court Diversionary Support Scheme, for adult women or men at point of arrest or voluntary attendance at police custody. This is an alternative to prosecution, and if the individual accepts the referral to the Crossroads Adult Diversion scheme, engagement will be mandatory, otherwise the individual may be referred back to North Yorkshire police to face prosecution. Only North Yorkshire Police are able to refer to this element of the scheme.

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Adult Sexual Assault Referral Centre - Mountain Healthcare

The Adult Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) provides crisis support and forensic medical services to collect any evidence for all adult victims of rape or sexual assault. The PFCC for North Yorkshire, NHS England, Humberside PCC, South Yorkshire PCC, and West Yorkshire PCC have jointly commissioned a single Regional Adult SARC Service for the Yorkshire and Humberside region. The service is delivered by Mountain Healthcare. Support is available for any victim of rape or sexual assault aged 16 years or over. Support is available for all genders and regardless of sexual orientation. The service offers:

  • immediate triage, advice and support
  • specialist one-to-one Crisis Support
  • forensic medical examination if appropriate to collect any forensic evidence
  • onward referrals and/or liaison with other agencies and support services as appropriate

Referrals can be made by police officers and other professionals working with victims as well as self-referrals, and support is available whether they want to make a formal report to the police or not.

Contact details:

All referrals are initially screened by a specialist hub worker who will provide immediate advice over the phone and make any onward referrals into our Independent Sexual Violence Adviser service and/or Sexual Health services where required. If appropriate, a forensic medical examination will be carried out by Forensic Nurse Examiners at North Yorkshire’s specialist SARC premises where any physical forensic evidence will be collected; if a victim does not wish to report to the police, any forensic samples collected are securely stored for a period of up to 7 years to allow the individual time to consider if they would like to report at a later date.

The services are available 24/7 including Bank Holidays, however examinations are usually booked for daytime weekday hours (9.00am to 5.00pm) wherever possible and in agreement with the victim. Victims from North Yorkshire are able to be seen at any of the three other regional SARC premises.

Child Sexual Assault Assessment Service - Mountain Healthcare

The Child Sexual Assault Assessment Service (CSAAS) provides crisis support and forensic medical services to collect any evidence for all child victims of rape or sexual assault. The PFCC for North Yorkshire and NHS England have jointly commissioned a single CSAAS for North Yorkshire. The service is delivered by Mountain Healthcare. Support is available for all children and young people aged 0 to 16 years who have disclosed sexual abuse or assault, or where it is suspected that it has happened. Older young people up to their 19th birthday may also be seen by the CSAAS if they have additional needs or it is deemed to be clinically appropriate. The service offers:

  • immediate professional advice and support
  • specialist one-to-one Crisis Support
  • forensic medical examination if appropriate to collect any forensic evidence
  • non-forensic medical examination if appropriate
  • onward referrals and/or liaison with other agencies for aftercare and support services as necessary

Referrals can only be made by police officers or Social Workers; it is not a self-referral service.

Both forensic and non-forensic medical examinations will be carried out at North Yorkshire’s specialist SARC premises which will include a full detailed clinical history and examination. Young People aged 13 years or over can be seen by specialist Forensic Nurse Examiners 24/7 including Bank Holidays, however examinations are usually booked for daytime weekday hours (9.00am to 5.00pm) wherever possible.

Children aged 12 years or under are seen by specialist Forensic Paediatricians at weekly clinics at North Yorkshire’s specialist SARC premises, or West Yorkshire CSAAS premises if an urgent examination is required outside these hours.

Further information regarding Forensic CAMHS is available within the CYSCP One Minute Guide:

Independent Sexual Violence Adviser service - IDAS

Delivered by Independent Domestic Abuse Services (IDAS), support is available for any victim or survivor of all forms of sexual violence or abuse, including historic child sexual abuse. Support is available for all ages and genders, regardless of sexual orientation. The service offers:

  • immediate advice, support and safety planning if required
  • one-to-one emotional and practical support, including support through any police investigation and/or court proceedings
  • support for (non-abusing) parents/guardians of young victims aged 12 years or under
  • supported group work and peer support networks
  • onward referrals and/or liaison with other agencies and support services as appropriate

The overall objective of the Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA) service is to enable all victims and survivors of sexual abuse, assault and rape to cope with the immediate impacts of crime and recover from the harm experienced; and reach out to more people to encourage an increase in self-reporting to get the help they need. The aim is for victims and survivors to be able to support themselves independently or through an appropriate peer support network by the end of the provision of support.

Referrals can be made by police officers, SARC or CSAAS and other professionals working with victims and survivors as well as self-referrals, and support is available whether individuals want to make a formal report to the police or not.

Contact details:

A live web chat facility is also available via the IDAS website.

All referrals will initially be reviewed by specialist staff in a centralised referral hub who will complete an initial assessment looking at risk and need, providing triage, immediate advice, support and safety planning as required. For those that require further support, the hub team will refer on to a Lime Culture Accredited ISVA to provide specialist one-to-one support to meet their individual needs.

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Yor Sexual Health (YSH) runs a free and confidential counselling service for people of all ages living within York who wish to seek support around different aspects of sexual health. This can be accessed via self-referral or professional referral on the YSH website.

Booking for virtual and face-to-face consultations is via the central booking telephone line: 01904 721111.

A mobile phone text contact point is available for those aged 17 and under, they can text on telephone: 07973 775692 to make an appointment Monday to Thursday 8.15am to 5.00pm, and Friday 8.15am to 3.30pm. This is also advertised on the YSH website for young people.

YSH have reinstated the Young Persons Clinic at York. This is a drop-in clinic every Tuesday from 4.00pm to 6.30pm, specifically for under 18s.

YSH also have a clinical outreach team that complement the face-to-face clinical services. They deliver outreach care for vulnerable and at risk groups within the community facilitated by a professional referral. They provide consistency/ continuation of care to build trust and provide timely support to facilitate sexual health care and attendance at face-to-face clinical services. The online referral process to SCCOT for professionals is via the YSH website:

For those who are HIV positive, YSH offer treatment services. They also offer well being support for carers and for HIV positive individuals via social support groups and one-to-one support. This can be accessed via the YSH website.

Further information and useful links for professionals is available on the professional arm of the YSH website. This includes links to clinical and virtual training that they deliver.

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Supporting Victims in North Yorkshire

Supporting Victims is a telephone based service providing support for anyone affected by crime in North Yorkshire, whether reported to the police or not. This includes victims, bereaved relatives, those under 18 with consent, parents or guardians of victims under 18 and members of staff where a business has been a victim of crime.

Individuals can self-refer to Supporting Victims and agencies can make direct referrals.

Contact details:

Supporting Victims is also the Independent Reporting route for victims of hate crime (whether reported to the police or not).

Victims will be asked a few questions to find out how they have been affected by the crime and to identify the support that can be provided. This includes immediate practical and emotional support over the phone; onward referral into specialist services, including those commissioned by the PFCC; and signposting to other support organisations as appropriate. Supporting Victims staff are trained and experienced in helping victims understand what has happened and supporting them to cope with the immediate impact and recover from the harm experienced.

Independent Victim Adviser service - Victim Support

The Independent Victim Adviser (IVA) service is provided by Victim Support. It provides face-to-face support in the community for victims of serious crime, vulnerable, persistently targeted and young victims (excluding sexual or domestic) whether or not they have made a report to North Yorkshire Police. The service provides a range of practical and/or emotional support for victims of in order to help them to cope and recover.

Referrals are made via the Supporting Victims team.

Contact details:

Alternatively, individuals can create a free account on My Support Space - an online resource containing interactive guides to help manage the impact that crime has had.

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Youth Commission - Leaders Unlocked

North Yorkshire Youth Commission (NYYC) was established in 2015 with PFCC grant funding. It enables young people aged 14 to 25 to inform decisions about policing and crime prevention in North Yorkshire using a peer-research and engagement approach.

NYYC offers young people the opportunity to influence the work and direction of the PFCC, North Yorkshire Police and associated partners based on the key priorities young people have reported affect them.

These priorities are:

  • Young People’s Relationship with the Police
  • Hate Crime
  • Drugs and Alcohol
  • Abusive Relationships
  • Missing and Exploitation
  • Mental Health

Any young people aged 14 to 25 interested in getting involved with the Youth Commission should email: [email protected].

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