15/1/14 final

Tees Sexual Violence Strategic Group

Care Pathways.

2014

CONTENTS

  1. Foreword 2
  2. Generic Adult Pathway 4
  3. Generic Child and Young Persons Pathway 5
  4. Police Care Pathway 7
  5. Sexual Assault Referral Centre Care Pathway 10
  6. ARCH North East Care Pathway 17
  7. Barnardos / Sexually exploited Children’s Outreach serviceCare Pathway 20
  8. EVA Rape CrisisCare Pathway 23
  9. Foundation UKCare Pathway 25
  10. HarbourCare Pathway 28
  11. Child Victims of Familial Sexual Abuse/Assault under 16 years 31
  12. Victims of *Non-Familial Sexual Abuse/Assault 16 & 17 Years34

Appendix A. Adult referral form 35

Appendix B. Child and Young Person referral form 39

FOREWORD.

The vision of the Tees Sexual Violence Strategic Group is

Our vision is for a society in which no person, child or adult, has to live in fear of Sexual abuse, Sexual violence or Sexual Exploitation.

To achieve this vision, we need to:

•Prevent such sexual abuse/ violence or exploitation from happening, by challenging the attitudes and behaviours which foster it and intervening early where possible;

•Provide accessible, appropriate and specialised support where sexual abuse/violence does occur;

•Work in partnership to obtain the best outcome for victims of sexual abuse/violence and their families; and

•Take action to reduce the risk to any person, child or adult, who are victims of these crimes and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.

This document is provided to assist the public and professionals working with clients, to ensure that the appropriate support and information is given to those who have suffered sexual abuse, sexual violence or sexual exploitation.

It details the overarching care pathway in a flow chart for both adults and children and young people and is followed by the individual care pathways for Police, Sexual Assault Referral Centre and those agencies that specialise in offering support, advice and counselling to those who have suffered sexual abuse, sexual violence or sexual exploitation.

Further information can be obtained at the web site

Child and Young Person Care Pathway

Evidence gathering- Sexual offence liaison officer, investigating officer, Forensic medical examiner

Independent Sexual Violence Advisor.

  • ARCH North East( Middlesbrough, Stockton and Hartlepool. Also Redcar and Cleveland male service
  • Barnardos ( Tees for Children and young people Teeswide)
  • EVA Rape crisis (Redcar and Cleveland females only)
  • Foundation UK ( Redcar and Cleveland)
  • SARC ( sexual assault referral centre Tees)

Specialist Counselling Services

  • ARCH North East( Middlesbrough, Stockton and Hartlepool. Also Redcar and Cleveland male service
  • Barnardos ( Tees for Children and young people Teeswide)
  • EVA Rape crisis (Redcar and Cleveland females only)
  • Harbour (Hartlepool and Stockton)

Care Pathway – Adult (POLICE)

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Police Response

The report of a sexual offence will normally reach the Police through three methods, direct from the victim, through a third party or a referral from the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC).

The initial call will be handled by Control Room who will take all the relevant details and create an event on the system. Due to the nature of the offence, uniformed supervision will be informed and will manage the incident in the initial stages.

A Sexual Offence Liaison Officer (SOLO)(if applicable) will be deployed to deal with the victim, they will utilise their specialist training in order to engage with the victim, arrange the medical examination, perform the role of seizing exhibits and obtain a first account which should be recorded in the “Initial Contact Booklet” (SOLO book).

The SOLO will utilise the “Early Evidence Kit” (EEK) so that forensic evidence can be gathered at the earliest opportunity.

A medical examination will take place at the SARC. The SOLO will work with the Force Medical Examiner (FME) to gather forensic evidence and record all injuries sustained.

The SOLO will also ensure that the correct advice and referrals are made on behalf of the victim, this will be carried out in conjunction with the SARC staff.

The SOLO will prepare a detailed written handover and where possible also provide a verbal briefing to a Detective Supervisor who will take ownership of the investigation from that point onwards.

The investigation will be managed by a Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officer (or in the case of intra – familial offences a specialist child abuse investigator) who will work closely with other agencies, such as the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to secure the greatest opportunity to bring the offender to justice.

The officer in the case (OIC) will ensure that a referral is made to the ISVA service (unless the victim requests otherwise) and the OIC should maintain liaison throughout the investigation.

SEXUAL ASSAULT REFERRAL CENTRE (SARC)

Victim Care pathways have been agreed by the National SARC Advisory Board (NSAB) and are set out in the National SARC Specification for local areas to work with. The following SARC pathways for Helen Britton House are modelled on the National Specification and reflecting local service provision.

SARC Adult Care Pathway (police case)

SARC Adult Care Pathway non-police/self referral case


SARC children and young people acute care pathway (police case):

Initial attendance at SARC (currently conducted at R.V.I.)

SARC children and young people non-acute care pathway (police case):

Initial attendance at SARC

SARC children and young people acute non-police care pathway:

Initial attendance at SARC

SARC children and young people non-acute non-police care pathway:

Initial attendance at SARC

SARC (Sexual Assault Referral Centre)

The Teesside SARC was developed following guidance from National SARC Service Specification and is known as Helen Britton House.

The Teesside SARC opened in September 2007 is coterminous with Cleveland Police area and provides 24/7 crisis intervention for Victims of Rape and Sexual Assault. The SARC is staffed with a dedicated specialist team consisting of day time crisis/support workers, an out of hours on call team and a SARC based Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) service.

The SARC model is a streamlined process with the SARC as central hub/ first point of contact for victims. The SARC provides a holistic, victim focussed service from the point of crisis.

Please note: some aspects of SARC interventions are time limited, early referral following disclosure is important. To make a referral or seek advice regarding a client:

Tel 01642 516888

This is a public number and can be provided to clients wishing to self-refer.

The Tees SARC will:

  • Provide crisis intervention to help mitigate the physical and psychological impact of rape and sexual assault including reducing the risk of further victimisation
  • Provide a forensic medical examination with sampling and storage.
  • Support safeguarding, care and support to children and young people
  • Give clients the choice of whether or not to involve the Police.
  • Provide the opportunity for clients to agree to evidence being stored in case they decide to report to the Police at a later date
  • Provide the opportunity to share information anonymously
  • Complete a risk and needs assessment with each client and agree, with consent, an appropriate care/referral pathway

The pathways the Tees SARC use are defined in accordance with the National Specifications

Across Tees the SARC maintains referral pathways with many agencies including sexual health, mental health and support services. Each client is assessed on their individual need and circumstances.

Access to SARC is free and confidential (unless there are concerns around safeguarding). With client consent the SARC can refer to relevant agencies including 3rd Sector for longer term support including Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVA), Counselling and other specialist support services

Tel 01642 516888 Tees wide 24/7

ARCH North East

Service provision is to anyone of 14 years or over, who has been affected by Sexual Violence, Rape or Sexual Abuse at any time in their lives, either directly or indirectly. (Male clients from across the region, Female clients from Middlesbrough, Stockton or Hartlepool).

While we recognise the need for services to those who may be perpetrator as well as victim, we cannot offer our services to that particular demographic, however we will endeavour to signpost to appropriate agencies.

We will aim to achieve time targets within the referral process and maintain regular client contact as agreed in the client contract. Any changes to level of client contact due to e.g. worker’s annual leave or absence due to sickness will be discussed with the client. Clients are offered a choice of venue and late opening (last appointment 6pm on Tues, Wednesday & Thursday) at the Middlesbrough office.

ARCH referral team aim to make contact with any new referral within 3 working days of receipt of the referral information.

If we cannot make contact by telephone within 3 working days we will send out a letter if consent to mail has been given.

Once contact has been made an Initial Assessment appointment will be arranged, this is usually within 5 working days of contact being established or at the client’s earliest convenience.

Clients accessing ISVA services will have a minimum of 2 contacts per month with their ISVA.

Clients accessing Counselling will have a weekly set appointment.

LESA is an internal referral only service, providing practical support across a wide range of issues.

Clients may access all three services at any time.

We aim to provide an holistic package of care to all of our service users whether they have reported to the Police or not. Our ISVA’s are trained to National Occupational Standard and our Therapeutic Services are BACP governed.

We are a member of Rape Crisis and have met the Rape Crisis National Standards


Sexually Exploited Outreach Service(SECOS)

INTERVENTION PATHWAY

FAMILIES and COMMUNITIES AGAINST SEXUAL EXPLOITATION

Awareness raising process in communities on signs (could use volunteers) / Agencies Working with C & YP who through vulnerability checklist, may be at risk. / / Awareness raising in schools, community groups, Children Homes, Youth Forums (could use volunteers). Note emphasis on schools as attendance at schools is protective factor
CAF/TAC assessment takes place to identify and confirm range of vulnerability factors.
Referral to Social Care / / YES / Child At High Risk of CSE? / NO
YES / Child Vulnerable to CSE / NO / CAF process continues
Decision made by SC to follow TAC process / / Action Plan/ Preparation for Keeping Safe Conference / This would include further awareness raising for Professionals/Carers/YP
Programme of work with YP and carers / Solution focus techniques and goal/outcome setting.
Keeping Safe Conference to plan how YP is kept safe / Using principles of Family Group Conferencing.
Programme of work agreed with lead professional / Agreed with YP and family and community
Monitored through CAF/TAC processes

BARNARDO’S

Barnardo’s child and young person’s ISVA (Independent Sexual Violence Advocate) service works with males and females under 18 from across the Tees valley who have experienced sexual violence in their lives, whether historic or acute.

We offer an intensive outreach service with emotional and practical support to help our clients cope with the day to day impact of their experience. We provide advocacy for the young people we work with by giving them a voice and empowering them to make informed choices. We provide information and explain options to help young people understand and navigate through the criminal justice process.

We work with young people as peer supporters who share coping strategies with our clients and inform our service evaluation by ensuring we are in touch with our client group’s needs. We work closely with witness care, the witness service and CPS to provide contact with our clients in informal settings (including the client’s home) this enables us to remove the barriers that could induce further stress when preparing a client for court.

What we offer:

Telephone contact following the referral from the SARC within 48 hours

A home visit to the client from the allocated ISVA worker within 5 days of referral receipt

6 x Fortnightly 1-1 face to face support with allocated worker

Ongoing monthly support

(If allocated worker is unavailable due to illness or annual leave alterative support is in place for each client)

Face to face support might include creative activities, cooking, going for a walk or just having a chat.

If a client is not going to need pre court support we will find the best support for the client’s next step.

Following the first 6 sessions if a client needs pre court support we will continue to make contact (this might be by telephone, text, letter or face to face) leading up to the court case.

About 3 weeks before the court case we will make a joint home visit with the witness service to explain the support they can provide.

About 2 weeks before the court case we will arrange a pre court visit with the witness service and ourselves.

The client will also get the opportunity to meet our peer supporters, 2 young people who have been through the criminal justice process and are there to support clients in preparing for court.

We will then hold an evaluation session with the client to help them decide what support they would like next followed by a special closing session which will end our work together.

Eva Women’s Aid client Pathway

EVA Women’s Aid and Rape Crisis - Counseling (Adults)

EVA Women’s Aid

EVA Women’s Aid – ISVA (Independent Sexual Violence Advocate)

We assist young girls and women aged from 12 years and upwards to cope with the aftermath of sexual assault and/or rape, whether it is recent or an historic sexual abuse crime. We offer clients a service within an women only environment which allows the client to access emotional and practical support.

Contact Details:

Office Number: 01642 490677

Mobile: 07967577927

Fax: 01642 507099

Email: /

Referral

When a referral is made, contact with the individual will occur within 48 hours of the date received. If contact cannot be made by telephone then a letter will be sent if it is known to be safe to do so. There will then be a waiting period of ten days after the letter is sent. If after this time there has still been no contact from the client, or a letter cannot be sent then the case will be closed and the initial referrers will be notified.

Assessment

If contact is made then an initial assessment will be arranged which is convenient to the client. This assessment includes giving a brief overview of the service, gathering the clients information in order to identify any potential risks or area’s of concern. Consent to share information would be obtained at this point. Investigating officers involved with the case would be contacted so that current information can be exchanged. Future appointments after the assessment would be arranged to support the clients needs. Support is also offered to family members if required.

Pre Trial & Court Visits

Support is offered with regard to court. Sessions are provided to inform the individual about court processes, court roles and discuss any fears the client may have in relation to these. Pre-court visits will be arranged to familiarise the client with the court environment and allay any fears. The ISVA will also offer support throughout the trial at the courts. Support is also given with regard to multi agency meetings.

Post Trial

After court proceedings or outcome a debrief of up to three sessions is provided where counselling is explained and a referral made if required. Criminal Injuries Compensation Award is explained and a referral made at the clients request. Clients are asked to complete an ending evaluation of the service provided.

Counselling Referrals Procedure

Referral received

Letter contact

  • Check service is appropriate – possible referral to ISVA
  • Take personal details
  • Check availability for appointments
  • Advise of waiting times

Initial Appointment – possible referral to ISVA

  • Counselling service explained
  • Personal details checked
  • Terms and conditions read and assessment form signed
  • Confidentiality explained and agreement signed
  • Clients individual needs discussed
  • Counsellor allocated

Help Line support available (telephone contact) until counsellor is available.

Counselling

  • Weekly one to one therapy sessions – referral to ISVA is possible at any time during attendance.

Foundation ISVA Service