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5b Theme 2: The LD ISVA service provided clear and consistent communication, adapted to clients’ needs
Clients said that the LD ISVA made complicated and daunting processes, such as police interviews and CJS processes, clear. They valued the fact that she communicated with them and supported them in a way that was adapted to their individual needs:
Michael: We met mostly face-to-
face, because I did tell [ISVA] from the start, I have problems reading and writing, and paperwork is not for me.
It’s mostly face to face or over the phone and that’s ok cus I know [ISVA], cus I know what she looks like. if I didn’t know [ISVA]
it’d be [difficult].
Clients said they found police interviews difficult—both understanding the processes and coping with them emotionally. But with the LD ISVA’s frequent and consistent support, they reported feeling more able to manage. Importantly, clients said that the LD ISVA made decisions in partnership with them.
She made them feel included and put them at the centre of all decision-making:
Anne: It’s been clear, I’ve felt included. Everything is in my
control. If I get upset at interview, she’s kindly let me know that I
can come out and take breaks in stressful times. She’s said things that’s made me feel comfortable... She’s always asked me if I need to meet up outside the interviews. If I’m feeling like I need to talk to her she’s said I can ring her. She understands people with LD she’s been very good. Nothing confusing. She’s very knowledgeable, she knows what she’s saying.
imon: She held off police interviews initially. That worked. I wasn’t ready to speak to them. She was helpful pushing it back until I was ready. [ISVA] knew I was having
a massive breakdown with the police. [What helped me was her] being there with me. I’d never spoken to anyone. She was someone I could turn to and trust and speak whatever I need to speak about. After the police, we were seeing each other once a week cus that was a big one, but now it’s once a fortnight.
We change it a bit depending on what I need at the time.
Julia: I was going through bad patch,
flashbacks, and ISVA helped me access the police officer who deals with historic
child abuse. She supported me through my interview with the police. I found it useful
her being there in case I needed somebody there. I’ve had no one else to talk to, no family support, no mental health support. She would ring me to tell me what would happen next and where they were with the case. She was easy to understand, calm and collected.
I don’t know what I’d have done
without her.
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