Each service has it's own eligibility criteria. 

Our women's recovery groups are eligible to women who are not living with their perpetrator.  All recovery groups are delivered in line with our Single Sex Policy.  

Our child to parent violence groups are eligible to parents or carers of abusive/violent children aged 8-17.

Anyone can submit a Referral whether it is on behalf of themselves or others.

If an agency would like to make a referral, they must first gain consent to share the personal information requested on the form. 

For more information email [email protected]

We aim to respond to you within five working days.

Please click here to fill in a referral form.

Referrers are asked to complete a referral form, first ensuring they have consent to share personal information.

Anyone who would like to self-refer can either

1. complete the referral form
2. 2. email [email protected] if you require any additional support with completing the referral form.  We recognise that completing forms can be tricky if you can only access them via phone.  

We aim to respond to you within five working days.

Lotus Families provides a valuable service as part of the coordinated response to domestic abuse in East Sussex, and we are committed to working with other agencies to promote, support and improve the response locally to victims of domestic abuse.

If you have self-referred and you do not meet our eligibility criteria we will signpost you to a trusted service that can support you.  

Any ineligible professional referrals will be returned with a recommendation of where they should be signposted/referred, based on the little knowledge we may have of the victim-survivor.

Where it is identified that a client needs additional support that we are unable to provide, we will signpost to a specialist local service.

We aim to make first contact with you, within five days of receiving the referral, to acknowledge receipt, confirm eligibility and share an update on when you might expect to be offered a place on a programme.

You will then join the waiting list, during which time, we may not be able to offer you any safety advice or support until your group starts, although during 2024 we are transitioning to a triage approach. You can expect to hear from us we are able to allocate you to one of our programmes. You will receive an email inviting you to book an initial call in the month leading up to the programme to discuss your current situation and confirm whether the programme is still suitable for you. This call will include a risk assessment.

Before accessing any of our services, you will be asked to sign a privacy notice which covers our data protection and confidentiality policies.

If you are referred by a professional, we will update them on the progress of the referral.

Most of our services have a waiting list.  Particularly our recovery and child to parent violence groups.

You (and your referrer) will be notified of an estimated wait time once the referral has been accepted and you are on the waiting list.  We may not be able to offer you any safety advice or support until your group starts, although during 2024 we are transitioning to a triage approach.  We will contact you via email once a place becomes available.

At the moment, if you are on a waiting list we may not be able to offer you any safety advice or support until your group starts.  However, your safety & wellbeing are our top priority so during 2024 we are transitioning to a triage approach where we can discuss safety & support on referral.  

We take a proactive and comprehensive approach to managing risk, ensuring that you feel supported and empowered throughout your journey.

Here's how we do it:

We work closely with you to create a personalised Whole Family safety & support plan tailored to your unique situation. This plan includes practical steps to reduce risk and enhance the safety & wellbeing of all family members, giving you peace of mind.

Our experienced team conducts thorough risk assessments using proven tools and methods. This helps us understand your specific risks and needs, so we can provide targeted support and interventions.

We collaborate closely with other agencies and professionals, ensuring a coordinated response to your situation. This collaborative approach maximizes resources and support networks, giving you access to a wide range of assistance.

 Your safety is an ongoing priority for us. We regularly review and update your safety plan, taking into account any changes in your circumstances or risk factors. This ensures that you always have the support you need, when you need it.

Above all, we believe in empowering you to make informed decisions and take control of your life. Our advocacy and support services are designed to help you regain independence and rebuild your future with confidence.

At Lotus Families, you can trust that you're in safe hands. We're here to support you every step of the way, and together, we'll work towards a brighter, safer future.

Lotus families has been awarded the nationally recognised SafeLives Leading Lights quality standard.

The SafeLives Leading Lights Quality Standard is a prestigious accreditation that reflects our commitment to providing the highest quality support and services to survivors of domestic abuse. Receiving this accreditation means that we have met rigorous standards of excellence in our practices and procedures, ensuring that you receive the best possible care and support.

Your confidentiality is of the utmost importance, and we take your privacy very seriously. Here's how we ensure that your information remains secure and your trust is upheld:

We have a strict confidentiality policy in place to protect your privacy. Your personal information and discussions with our team members are kept confidential, unless there are exceptional circumstances that require disclosure for your safety or the safety of others.

 Before sharing any information, we always seek your informed consent whenever possible. This means that you have control over what information is shared and with whom, empowering you to make decisions about your own safety and well-being.

We handle your information with the utmost sensitivity and discretion. Our team members are trained in confidentiality protocols and understand the importance of maintaining your trust and confidentiality.

While we prioritise your confidentiality, we also have legal and ethical obligations to safeguard individuals who may be at risk of harm. In situations where there are concerns about your safety or the safety of others, we may need to share information with relevant authorities or agencies. However, we always aim to do this in a way that minimises any risk to you and respects your rights and wishes.

We believe in transparent communication with our clients. If there is a need to share information, where possible, we will explain the reasons for this and keep you informed throughout the process. We value your input and will involve you in any decisions that affect you.

Our staff and volunteers are required to sign confidentiality agreements, further ensuring that your information remains secure and confidential.

You can trust us to handle your information with care and respect, while also taking the necessary steps to ensure your safety and well-being. If you have any questions or concerns about confidentiality, please don't hesitate to discuss them with us. Your trust and confidence in our services are essential to us, and we're here to support you every step of the way.