Women’s Aid North East Lincolnshire Reaccredited for Leading Lights

TL;DR

Women’s Aid North East Lincolnshire has been successfully reaccredited under the Leading Lights programme.

This nationally recognised accreditation confirms that our Domestic Abuse services meet high standards of safety, leadership and survivor-focused practice and that we are committed to continuous improvement for the women and children we support.

We are proud to share that Women’s Aid North East Lincolnshire has achieved reaccreditation for Leading Lights, a national quality standard for Domestic Abuse services.

Reaccreditation is not automatic. It requires detailed evidence, external assessment and clear demonstration of how services operate in practice.

This achievement recognises not just what we do, but how we do it and why it matters.

What is Leading Lights?

Leading Lights is a national accreditation programme delivered by SafeLives.

It exists to make sure Domestic Abuse services across the UK are:

• Survivor centred and trauma informed

• Safe, consistent and well governed

• Led with strong values and clear accountability

• Focused on learning, reflection and improvement

  
  

It provides independent assurance that services are meeting nationally recognised standards and responding effectively to the needs of women and children experiencing Domestic Abuse.

Why the Leading Lights accreditation really matters

Accreditations can sometimes sound abstract but Leading Lights has very real implications for the people who rely on our services.

For women and children, it means:

• Their safety and wellbeing are at the heart of every decision

• Support is shaped by best practice and evidence, not assumptions

• Their voices and lived experiences influence how services are designed and delivered

  
  

For staff and volunteers, it means:

• Clear frameworks that support safe and effective practice

• Strong leadership and shared values

• Ongoing learning and development rather than complacency

For partners, commissioners and funders, it offers confidence that our services are robust, accountable and continually improving.

A commitment to quality, not a one off tick box

The reaccreditation process involved a detailed review of how we work across the organisation, including:

• Governance, leadership and strategic direction

• Policies, procedures and risk management

• How survivor voice is embedded into service development

• How we identify risk, safeguard families and support recovery

It is a rigorous process and one we actively welcome as part of our responsibility to the women and children who trust us.

As Denise Farman, Chief Executive Officer, explains:

“Reaccreditation under Leading Lights is important because it gives independent confirmation that our services are safe, effective and survivor-focused. It challenges us to reflect honestly on our practice and ensures we remain accountable to the women and children we support. This is not about recognition for its own sake, but about maintaining high standards in everything we do.”

Keeping survivor voice at the centre

A core part of Leading Lights is demonstrating how services are shaped by lived experience, not just policy.

Kate Ranson, Head of Services, adds:

“Leading Lights helps us to continually reflect on how our services feel for the women and children accessing them. It reinforces the importance of listening, learning and adapting our support so it remains responsive, respectful and focused on real needs. Reaccreditation shows our ongoing commitment to survivor led practice, not just meeting minimum standards.”

Looking ahead

Reaccreditation is not an endpoint. It strengthens our foundation and reinforces our commitment to providing safe, high-quality Domestic Abuse services across North East Lincolnshire.

We will continue to learn, challenge ourselves and work in partnership to ensure women and children can access the safety, understanding and support they deserve.