Child & Youth Assessment & Referral

A Personalised, Trauma-Informed Approach to Supporting Children and Young People

At Child and Youth Partnerships, we provide trauma-informed, child-centred support for children and young people affected by domestic abuse, family breakdown, trauma, adversity, and other complex life experiences.

Our approach is grounded in an understanding of the impact of trauma and adverse childhood experiences on children’s emotional, social, and developmental wellbeing, and in the importance of preventing re-traumatisation. Through tailored support, therapeutic experiences, positive engagement, and meaningful relationships, we help children and young people feel safer, build confidence, strengthen resilience, and improve emotional wellbeing.

We recognise that every child responds to trauma differently, and that recovery is not linear. Our practice is relational, strengths-based, and responsive to the individual needs, interests, lived experiences, and developmental stage of each child or young person.

Our work may include:

• Strengthening the relationship between children and their non-abusive parent or safe caregiver.
• Helping children understand that abuse, violence, and harmful behaviours are never their fault.
• Supporting emotional wellbeing, resilience, confidence, and self-esteem.
• Improving communication, trust, emotional regulation, and coping skills.
• Encouraging healthy identity development, social connection, and positive routines.
• Supporting age-appropriate safety awareness and protective behaviours.
• Reducing isolation through safe, supportive, and enriching activities.

Support is tailored to the child or young person and may include mentoring, advocacy, emotional support, therapeutic activities, creative arts, group work, life skills, wellbeing activities, educational support, movement-based activities, and opportunities for safe fun, connection, and personal growth.

We believe that safe relationships, predictable experiences, creativity, play, and positive enjoyment are important protective factors that can support recovery from adversity and promote long-term resilience.

Accessing support

Step 1: Referral or enquiry
Referrals may be made by schools, social workers, domestic abuse services, healthcare professionals, community organisations, or a non-abusive parent or caregiver. We gather initial information to understand the child or young person’s needs and assess whether our service is appropriate.

Step 2: Initial consultation and assessment
An initial consultation is arranged with the child or young person and their parent or caregiver. This helps us understand strengths, needs, risks, and desired outcomes, and ensures that any support offered is appropriate and safe.

Step 3: Individual support planning
Following assessment, we develop a personalised support plan in collaboration with the child or young person and their caregiver. This plan sets out agreed goals, support methods, and review points. Support may be delivered directly through our service or through partnership working and signposting to other specialist services where appropriate.