NIDAS (Newcastle Integrated Domestic Abuse Service)

Introduction to Service

NIDAS works with women and men experiencing domestic abuse to provide a safe environment and support. The project is run by Changing Lives, in partnership with Action for Children and Rape Crisis.

Through our specialist support, we aim to reduce the long-term risk of violence and abuse, helping people to live safely and independently. We know that everybody’s life is different, so we will listen to what is important to people and we will discuss options. We want people to have choice and control about the type of support that they receive from us.

Whatever someone’s circumstances, we’ll work with them to reduce risks to safety and wellbeing, and to overcome any practical concerns.

NIDAS is delivered by Changing Lives in partnership with Action for Children and Rape Crisis.

Changing Lives provide specialist support and accommodation services for women all over the country. This includes refuge provision for women escaping domestic violence, IDVA and ISVA services, and support to women involved in sex work or at risk of sexual exploitation.

Action for Children’s (AFC) Family Support Practitioner and part time Counsellor will provide specialist support for CYP within the purpose-built safe accommodation and via outreach. Action for Children (AfC) has extensive experience in supporting vulnerable CYP and their families both at home and in community settings.

Rape Crisis Tyneside and Northumberland will provide specialist counselling and delivery of the REFRESH programme for people accessing NIDAS.

Key Information

Refuge - Purpose-built refuge in Newcastle for women and their children, offers 14 private flats, each with up to three bedrooms.

Outreach - One-to-one support plans unique to individual needs

IDVA support - We provide support to high-risk victims (female and male aged 16+) through trained specialist workers (IDVA) and enable victims to access a range of legal and non-legal advice

ISVA support - We support people who have experienced sexual violence. Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs) work with people both female and male aged 14+ who have experienced rape and sexual assault, whether they have reported this or not

Dispersed Accommodation - Newcastle Sanctum provides temporary dispersed accommodation support to women and men who have experiences of domestic abuse with additional needs that may prevent them from accessing mainstream refuge services. Find more information on Newcastle Sanctum here.

Referral Form

If you're a professional looking to refer an individual to our service, download the below referral forms:

• For Refuge services
• For ISVA, IDVA and Outreach services

Return it via email to nidas.team@changinglives.cjsm.net or Nidas.team@changing-lives.org.uk