Cambridgeshire supports domestic abuse survivors who have learning disabilities

The first initiative of its kind in the UK seeks local carers for people with learning difficulties who have experienced domestic abuse. 

Tragically, research shows that there’s an increasing need across the country for specialised support services for those who have suffered domestic abuse. What’s more, according to the Office for National Statistics, women with learning difficulties, autism or both are three times more likely to experience domestic abuse than their non-disabled peers.

Photo by Ben White

A recent assessment carried out across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough for safe accommodation for those who have suffered abuse identified gaps in provision for people with disabilities, including learning disabilities. In response, Cambridgeshire County Council has launched a pioneering scheme that will address a person’s care and support needs at the same time as their needs as a survivor of domestic abuse.  

The new scheme is run jointly by Cambridgeshire Shared Lives and the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (DASV) Partnership. The council approached the Shared Lives team given their track record in supporting people with learning difficulties. 

The council is now actively seeking to recruit Shared Lives Domestic Abuse Carers: self-employed carers whose fees will be paid through the scheme. These carers might be part time, offering support for a few hours in the day, an overnight stay or extended break.

The aim is to offer person-centred, long-term support for survivors of domestic abuse, while at the same time acknowledging the specific impacts that abuse can have for people with learning disabilities.  

But the team behind the initiative also hope that it offers residents in Cambridgeshire a chance to gain new skills and career opportunities, while encouraging support within their communities. 

Cllr Neil Shailer, White Ribbon Ambassador for Cambridgeshire County Council, says: ‘This is an exciting and much-needed initiative which will provide invaluable support for people with learning disabilities who have experienced some sort of domestic abuse – often an under-acknowledged characteristic which deserves greater recognition. As the first scheme of its kind in the country, I hope more will follow and that this will help raise the profile of people in similar situations who might currently be suffering in silence.’ 

Those interested in learning more about the scheme should email cambridgeshiresharedlives@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

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