Specialist Domestic Abuse Recovery Programme Given Council Funding Boost

Reading Borough Council is supporting additional capacity within a programme which helps children in Reading who have been affected by or witnessed domestic abuse.

The Bounce Back 4 Kids (BB4K) programme uses therapeutic techniques to support children and their (non-abusive) parents or carers to heal from trauma through a series of therapeutic support sessions.

The programme in Reading is free for families with sessions taking place on a group basis, with occasional one-to-one support also offered. The service focuses on recovery rather than crisis intervention.

Bounce Back 4 Kids has been developed by Reading-based Parents And Children Together (PACT), an adoption and trauma support charity. PACT helps hundreds of families every year through adoption services, specialist therapeutic support, and community projects across southern and central England.  

Public health funding, alongside other local authority support, is supporting Bounce Back 4 Kids in meeting service referrals in Reading and providing capacity to participate in a three-year national research study. The study, the first of its kind in the UK, aims to build the evidence base on what works to prevent domestic abuse and improve outcomes for children affected by domestic abuse. Findings will help inform future service development and the potential for wider implementation of effective approaches.

Rachel Eden, Lead Councillor for Education and Public Health at Reading Borough Council, said:

“Bounce Back 4 Kids is a valuable service offering a safe space for children and young people to access support on their journey of recovery. The BB4K programme aims to help break the cycle of domestic abuse and help participants understand and heal from trauma.  We are keen to see the programme continue and also gain additional insights into its effectiveness via the commissioned research study.”

Kathryn Warner, PACT’s Director of Community Services and Development, said: 

“Domestic abuse can have a profound and lasting impact on children, even when they are not the direct target of the abuse. Bounce Back 4 Kids provides specialist, therapeutically informed, support that helps children heal from trauma and build resilience for the future.

“We welcome this investment from Reading Borough Council, which will strengthen our ability to meet demand and support the first of its kind study that builds evidence of what works best for children and families who have been subjected to domestic abuse.”

Further information on BB4K and how to make a referral: https://www.pactcharity.org/bb4k/about-bb4k/

Media queries: Jonathan Cross - jonathan@bluelozenge.co.uk