New domestic abuse service across Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton
Today marks the start of a new four-year contract that we are proud to deliver on behalf of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Hampshire Constabulary, and local authority partners, representing a significant step forward in how we work with people causing harm in their relationships.
Our flagship intervention for people using harmful behaviours, Pathways to Change, is now available across a wider footprint than ever before, extending into Portsmouth alongside our longstanding work in Hampshire, Southampton and the Isle of Wight.
Under the new contract, Hampton Trust now operates as a single point of contact for referrers or anyone causing or at risk of causing harm, whatever stage they are at. Pathways to Change is available to anyone seeking support, whether they are concerned about how they handle conflict in their relationship or whether they feel they have hit a crisis point. Our practitioners will work with them to find the right support pathway for their needs and circumstances.
That breadth of response is also made possible through the connection with Foundation, our co-located practitioner model that now places Hampton Trust staff directly within police custody suites. This means we can reach people at an earlier stage and ensure a seamless route into the right level of support.
This investment is a big step forward: it allows us to meet people where they are and support them towards healthier relationships, recognising that everyone’s starting point is different.
Some people will need to deal with challenges like mental health or substance misuse before they can engage with a behaviour change programme. For others, their relationship with their children is the most pressing concern, and that can be the motivation that starts their journey towards wider change.
Our support is there when someone is ready for it, no matter how small that first step is. Our practitioners can offer a tailored approach from day one, always keeping the safety of victims and survivors at the centre while giving those causing harm a real chance to change.
Chantal Hughes, Chief Executive
