Most refuges now have specialist children's workers who offer a variety of children's services including:
On site play activities (usually structured daily play sessions of between 1-2 hours).
School holiday playschemes.
Information and support in finding suitable school or nursery places.
Key sessions with mothers to look at the particular needs of each child.
Information and support on legal issues concerning your children.
Advocacy for you and your child in relation to other services such as social services.
Support in accessing external children's support services (e.g. counselling).
Children's meetings (where the children's worker and the children meet to talk about issues affecting children in the refuge).
Trips out (e.g. to sport and leisure facilities).
Holidays
If you are offered a choice of which refuge to go to it may be worth trying to find out which refuges offer these services so that you know what you can expect when you arrive.
