Most of the women did not consider that childcare was a priority service for them. There was however, some confusion as to which service was provided by which agency. The participants who used Social Care and Health were generally satisfied with the service, which contrasts with a generally held view from women fleeing violence that they do not wish to involve them because of a fear of interference.

Although some participants had used some form of childcare prior to them leaving the relationship some did not wish to access it currently as they were attached to the children and felt they had to protect them now they were out of the relationship. The majority of participants had accessed childcare at some point while they were in the relationship. This was usually accessed through nursery, school, playgroup, after schools clubs, child and family centre or from other family members.

Since leaving the relationship however, they seemed to use childcare more from the above sources including the refuge. 41% were happy with the childcare they were using.

Just over half of the participants knew of where to get information regarding childcare in Tameside.

Some felt that the childcare provision that was available was not appropriate or not of a good enough standard. One participant had to reject a weekend job because there was no childcare available. One participant declined the offer of nursery, as she didn't want her child to feel they were abandoned.

Areas that were identified as at needing to improve were:

• More childcare support from employers
• Others felt that respite care might help.
• Not enough childcare available
• The cost contribution to childcare is too high

Analysis - Despair Children | Analysis - Schools