THE AGENCY Barbara Martin, Programme Manager, The Wish Centre, 43 King Street, Blackburn, BB2 2DH.

Website: www.thewishcentre.org

Email: info@thewishcentre.org

Phone: 0121 260465

The Wish Centre is a specialist domestic abuse charity delivering a number of programmes for YP who have been impacted by DA. The RYPP programme is being co-delivered with statutory partners to develop sustainability in the project. The Wish Centre holds both Women’s Aid and Respect accreditation.

CRITERIA Catchment: Lancashire including Blackburn and Darwen and Blackpool

Age: 8 – 18

All referrals assessed on a case by case basis.

REFERRAL Referrals accepted from statutory and voluntary agencies, using a referral form. Information is required about the involvement of other agencies. Referral to / assessment by Children’s Social Care is requested if there is not current involvement. There is a waiting time, depending on the area in question.

ASSESSMENT Assessment of risk to ensure there is no immediate risk of harm before the work starts. Both parties need to give a commitment to undertake the work.

THE SERVICE The programme works with both the young person and the parent, on a one-to-one basis. Work can take place in the home, at a Children’s Centre or in school to best suit the parties concerned. The Respect Young People’s Programme (RYPP) is used, with a manual and full training for practitioners. The RYPP combines a range of theoretical models – primarily a cognitive behavioural approach along with interventions aimed at influencing criminogenic features of the young person’s immediate environment (primarily parenting, family life and school). The theory underpinning the programme are:

• Social learning theory and cognitive behavioural approaches • Cognitive behaviour therapy • Systems theory • Invitational and strength- based approaches • Neuroscience and self-soothing • Attachment theory • Restorative justice • Conflict resolution

There are a total of 19 sessions (9 with the young person, 7 with the parent, two with the family). There are 2 preparatory sessions with parents and the young person, this helps to build a relationship and assesses risk and programme suitability.

EVALUATION An external evaluation is taking place.

Data entered: May 2021