CHILDREN SERVICES
Sometimes we used to make paper aeroplanes and throw them out of our window. We thought someone might pick them up and come to help us.” The words of two brothers we supported in our refuge.
We provide support and guidance for children and young people staying in our refuges and for those living in the wider community.
We recognise the impact that experiencing and/or witnessing domestic abuse will have upon children and young people.
Many children and young people who grow up in a home where domestic abuse takes place are at risk of either being physically harmed themselves. If they witness the abuse they are at risk of emotional harm.
Our work with young people and children includes one to one support, workshops, daily activities and counselling support which is specifically devised to meet the needs of each child and young person. We closely with their mother in order to provide the best service and support that each child needs.
Our outreach service is accessible to male and female children and young people up to the age of 18. We regularly provide workshops in safe settings such as schools and youth centres. At these sessions, young people will find support and guidance on a range of topics.
Training
Kiran offers tailor-made sessions to organisations upon request. These include workshops for children and young people covering various topics including relationships, honour-based abuse, forced marriage, on-line safety, dealing with exam stress to name a few.
Please contact us if you are interested in Kiran running a child and young person based workshop for your organisation.
KIRAN HELPLINE -
CALL US NOW ON 020 8558 1986
Phone lines are open Monday - Friday : 9.30 am - 4.30 pm
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY CALL THE POLICE ON 999
How we've helped
- Saadiya -
“Saadiya came to our refuge with her son, after fleeing domestic abuse from her husband. She came to the UK in 2016 on a spousal visa and obtained indefinite leave to remain under destitute domestic violence with the help of Kiran Support Services. Saadiya's husband treated her like a slave having to do all the household chores. She was verbally, physically, emotionally and financially abused by her husband. He didn't allow Saadiya to go anywhere and to have contact with her family. She suffered a lot of physical. Emotional and financial abuse at the hand of her husband and In-laws. However finally after speaking to someone at her sons’s nursery she gets the courage to contact police who referred her to Kiran Support Services where she was offered temporary accommodation and support.
Saadiya received one-to-one and practical support from refuge staff to claim welfare benefits and attended life skills courses. She was referred to attend counselling. She was supported to make informed choices about her future and slowly she became more positive about life and started gaining her confidence back. She received help in applying to the borough of choice to make a homelessness application and further received re-settlement support. Saadiya has now gained a paid employment and living a stress and abuse free life with her son in a borough of her choice. “
- Iram -
" I had just turned 18 years old and was new to the country, I could not speak much English and I feared for my life, when I ran out of my family home with just my passport to the nearest police station.
I was then referred to KSS by my social worker. The refuge support worker understood my situation and did not judge me when I told her my dad was forcing me to marry my first cousin back home. I felt heard and believed not just by my support worker but also my counsellor.
When I first arrived in the refuge I felt alone, depressed and scared, but with the support from KSS and my case worker I was not just provided a safe place to sleep but was emotionally supported through counselling and one to one sessions.
I was also worried about money as I could not apply for benefits, however KSS financially supported me in buying food and clothes as I had nothing while my immigration fought my case.
My caseworker helped me enrol onto a training scheme which led to employment and this boosted my self- esteem and confidence. I also felt safe as I was supported in getting a Forced Marriage Protection order against my dad. If it wasn’t for KSS I would probably be stuck in a forced marriage. KSS changed my life. "