CHILDREN 1ST Borders service wins excellence award

A CHILDREN 1ST domestic abuse service has won a prestigious award for its role in the Scottish Borders Pathway Project, a multi-agency partnership to support adults and children affected by domestic abuse.

The Pathways Project has won a Confederation of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) Excellence Award in the Service Innovation and Improvement category.

Anna O’Reilly, service manager, said: “CHILDREN 1ST is delighted to play a part in the success of the Scottish Borders Pathways Project.

“The project goes a lot further than dealing with an emergency situation. It ensures families are given vital support beyond the initial crisis, allowing them to play an active part in their communities again. Our Domestic Abuse Community Support service (DACS) plays an integral part in this process, working with children and adults to give them a greater sense of self-worth and wellbeing.”

The CHILDREN 1ST service works alongside the Domestic Abuse Advocacy Support (DAAS) service and the Children Experiencing Domestic Abuse Recovery (CEDAR) group.

The three new services have been specifically designed to meet the needs of women, men and children and young people who are experiencing or have experienced domestic abuse and work in partnership with the focus on prevention.

The Pathway Project, which will see an investment of approximately £1.3million over the next three years, was launched by Roseanna Cunningham MSP, Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs, in December 2012.