Please note the Cambridgeshire IDVA service has a new office telepehone number however, we are having some technical difficulties therefore it is not currently working. if you need to speak to an IDVA in Cambridgeshire please email idva.referrals@cambridgeshire.gov.uk and someone will call you as soon as possible. The inbox is monitored Monday - Friday 09.00 - 17.00 and 16.30 on Fridays. We will update with the new number as soon as it is working - the old number is no longer in use
Referral to the IDVA Service and/or MARAC
The IDVA service can only accept referrals from professionals, and where there is current domestic abuse or that which has happened within the last 3 months. Referrals that don't meet this criteria, or that have missing information, may be rejected. For guidance on what makes a good referral, please see the document at the bottom of the page.
When making a referral please complete a DASH Risk Indicator Checklist (Dash RIC) and attach to the online referral form (see below for the link and Dash RIC)
Due to the decoupling of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Domestic Abuse Services, some changes have been made to referral processes and specialist IDVA posts:
- The Eastern European IDVA now only works in Peterborough largely with clients from Lithuania, Romania and Russia, Dash Ric is not essential unless the referral is for MARAC - more information can be found at Eastern European Referrals
- The Minority Ethnic IDVA now only works in Cambridgeshire, working with clients specifically from South Asian Communities. Due to current staffing capacity, from Wednesday 1st October 2025, the IDVA service will only be able to accept high-risk minority ethnic referrals. A Dash Ric is essential and must reach 14 ticks or above for IDVA only support and 17 ticks or above for MARAC. This is a temporary measure until January 2026 - more information can be found at Ethnic Minority Referrals
- There are no longer any Health IDVAs in Cambridgeshire or Peterborough - referrals can still be made to the relevant IDVA Service using the online form below with a Dash RIC attached reaching 14 ticks or more
- The Young People's IDVAs criteria has changed but they do still cover both Cambridgeshire & Peterborough. Young Persons Dash Ric (see below) is not essential unless the referral is for MARAC - more information can be found at Referrals for young people
- The Housing IDVAs accept referrals from housing professionals. Due to current staffing capacity, from Wednesday 1st October 2025, the Cambridgeshire IDVA service is only able to accept high-risk referrals accompanied with a Dash Ric reaching 14 ticks or above for IDVA only support, and 17 ticks or above for MARAC. This is a temporary measure until January 2026. Peterborough IDVA service continues to accept referrals at any risk level. A Dash Ric is not essential but preferrable unless the referral is for MARAC. (Please note Housing IDVAs cannot provide Housing). More information can be found at Referrals from Housing Professionals
- Independent Stalking Advocate Caseworkers continue to accept referrals from both Cambridgeshire and Peterborough - DA related stalking should be referred to the IDVA service via the online referral process, non-DA related stalking referrals are accepted from Police only
If you have any queries, please contact the relevant IDVA Service according to where your client currently lives:
Referrals where the Dash RIC score is 17+ ticks can be made without consent (although consent is preferred), and the case will go to MARAC. If the DASH RIC score is low but you feel the person is at high risk, please contact the relevant email address above for advice
All non-specialist referrals, except those for MARAC, MUST have the consent of the victim, and have a Dash RIC attached reaching 14+ ticks
For individuals over 60 years of age, the Older Peoples DASH may give a more accurate assessment of risk
To make an online referral, please click on the appropriate link below, according to where the client lives:
For Cambridgeshire referrals:
For Peterborough referrals:
If you are unsure about how to complete a DASH please visit: