Solace in Tower Hamlets (SASS)

Advocacy

Tower Hamlets SASS is a crisis intervention service, which provides advice and support to people aged 16+ in Tower Hamlets who are currently experiencing domestic abuse. Priority for ongoing support will be given to victim/survivors who are identified as high risk, homeless, or experiencing economic abuse.

DWP Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA)

We support survivors of domestic abuse attending Poplar Job Centre.

The DWP IDVA will provide short-medium term holistic needs led support. Their particular focus will be to support those experiencing economic abuse or those who have become unemployed due to domestic abuse. They will work alongside Work Coaches and Job Centre staff, including through providing training, to support their understanding of domestic abuse and how to effectively facilitate survivors’ disclosures.

Housing Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA)

We support survivors presenting as homeless at Tower Hamlets Housing Options, due to domestic abuse.

The Housing IDVA will provide short-medium term holistic needs led support. They will work alongside the Tower Hamlets Housing Options team to support survivors fleeing domestic abuse, and their children. This includes linking survivors in for longer term support, dependent on their needs.

Housing Floating Support Worker

We support survivors of domestic abuse placed into temporary accommodation, outside of the borough, by Tower Hamlets Housing Options.

The Housing FSW will provide holistic needs led support to survivors and their children placed into temporary accommodation outside of the borough. This includes ensuring survivors are supported with accessing and developing connections within the local borough, including through onward referrals.

IRIS 

IRIS Services works in partnership with GP Surgeries and offers tailored training on the public health issue of domestic violence and abuse (DVA). This service enables support to be offered to DVA victims at an early stage before the abuse becomes a serious risk to mental, emotional and physical health.

Engagement with practices is supported by the GP Clinical Lead, Primary Care lead. We also made referrals to MARAC, Safeguarding and provide support to the victim survivors. 

Mental Health Domestic Abuse Caseworkers 

We support survivors of domestic abuse who have also have mental health needs. 

The Mental Health Caseworkers will provide medium-long term holistic needs-led support. They will work alongside statutory and voluntary mental health services in the borough. They will provide training to mental health professionals and service users to support their understanding of domestic abuse and the intersection of mental health.  

Somali Domestic Abuse Caseworker – delivered in partnership with Women’s Inclusive Team works alongside Mental Health Domestic Abuse Caseworkers to deliver specialist support to those experiencing domestic abuse in the Somali community within Tower Hamlets.