Ascent Pan-London Floating Support Service
The Ascent Pan London Floating Support Service is a partnership of 11 specialist domestic abuse organisations across London that provides domestic abuse support.
Who we are
The Ascent Pan London Floating Support Service (FSS) provides high-quality domestic abuse (DA) support, ‘by-and-for’ services and counselling. This partnership, which is run by 11 specialist DA organisations, delivers trauma-informed, wrap-around, client-led support for those in safe accommodation, across London.
Many of the partner organisations are already established in their communities and have links and referral pathways. In working together, we can help survivors of domestic abuse, for whom refuge accommodation is not suitable, to create a life for themselves, free from fear and abuse.
This service is being run in addition to and alongside existing local services, to supplement and support current DA service provision.
Who can use the service?
Referrals can be made by professionals, or by self-referring survivors at any level of risk, living in safe accommodation outlined below:
- Survivor currently in a refuge but due to move on in the next month and needs re-settlement support
- Single sex temporary accommodation
- A property where a sanctuary scheme has been put in place
- A property which is survivor’s resettlement or move on accommodation and is not known to the perpetrator
How do referrals work?
Referrals to the FSS come via a single-point-of-access Freephone telephone number, and secure email, and operate Monday to Friday 9.30-17.30.
The referral line provide:
- An initial risk assessment
- Immediate crisis management and safety planning
- Referral to either a specialist by-and-for service, or a general needs service, depending on the survivor’s preference
What support is available?
The support offered to survivors upon allocation include:
- Specialist support and safety planning, to reduce risks and harm for survivors and their children
- Ongoing casework support, including referrals to specialist advice and practical support, such as legal advice around civil and criminal remedies
- Empowering survivors with information on their rights and options, demystifying complex statutory systems and dispelling myths perpetuated by perpetrators and wider society
- Support to maintain accommodation, or to source permanent accommodation as necessary
- Financial empowerment work to maximise income, including support with debt
- Referral to therapeutic support from Woman’s Trust
- Support to link with local resources such as ESOL classes, volunteering and training to develop financial independence, and opportunities to gain social support, such as mother-and-baby groups, or formal DA programmes (delivered by partners)
The overall aim of the service is to increase survivor safety over time; to reduce and remove harm for victims/survivors. and to reduce incidents of domestic abuse for a group of survivors who might find it hard to access support by other means.