West Yorkshire pathfinder IDVA service
We are part of the new Family Court Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) pilot delivery model (WYPP).
We work in collaboration with our West Yorkshire partners including:
- Staying Put, Leeds Domestic Violence Service (LDVS), represented by Leeds Women’s Aid and Behind Closed Doors
- WomenCentre
- Pennine Domestic Abuse Partnership
The Pathfinder service is accessible to families going through Family Court proceedings across West Yorkshire. The service will help with concerns, evidence and/or allegations of domestic abuse.
Mission, aims and objectives
Our mission
To improve family’s experience through the family court system.
Our aims
To improve the experiences of children and families by:
- improving children’s experience of and (appropriate) participation in the court process.
- reducing the re-traumatisation of domestic abuse victims that may happen during proceedings. This includes children.
- reducing the number of returning cases through a more sustainable court order
- working with organisations including the Family Court, local authorities, and police. This helps us better handle domestic abuse and other risks of harm
- using the Victims Code, to ensure service users are kept fully apprised of their rights at every stage of their journey
Our objectives
We will implement a supportive and solution-focused approach that integrates family courts with wider support services. This will ensure survivors receive comprehensive assistance, addressing their needs beyond the courtroom.
The service also prioritises strengthening coordination across organisations. This will create a cohesive and effective response to domestic abuse cases by:
- ensuring flexible IDVA support
- providing early intervention
- improving the voice of the child
- supporting survivors post-court as required by signposting to suitable community services
- feeding into the Family Court Pathfinder evaluation
