North Yorkshire Sexual Assault Referral Centre and Child Sexual Assault Assessment Services
The York & North Yorkshire Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) and Child Sexual Assault Assessment Services (CSAAS) provide the following services:
- children and young people aged 0 to 12 years, Acute Pathway (0 to 14 days)
- young people aged 13 years and over, Acute Pathway
- children and young people aged 0 to 15 years, Non-Recent Pathway (more than 14 days)
To view the Child Sexual Abuse Assessment Centre (CSAAC) Referral Pathway, see the CSAAC Referral Pathway document.
Children and young people aged 0 to 12 years, Acute Pathway (0 to 14 days)
Service provided by Mountain Healthcare West Yorkshire Child Sexual Assault Assessment Services at the Hazlehurst Centre, Leeds (Monday to Sunday, daytime), or North Yorkshire Child Sexual Assault Assessment Services at Acer House, Upper Poppleton (Tuesday daytime only).
There should be no delay in referring for a forensic medical examination.
Telephone advice from a clinician is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
1. Referral to the Child Sexual Assault Assessment Services
In the event of a disclosure or professional concern of sexual abuse, refer to North Yorkshire Child Sexual Assault Assessment Services on 0330 223 0099.
Referrals to Mountain Healthcare must be made by police or social care.
All agencies are encouraged to contact Mountain Healthcare for advice.
In the event of acute injuries, a patient’s medical needs should be considered before forensic needs.
2. Strategy meeting with Child Sexual Assault Assessment Services involvement
Follow Local Safeguarding Children Partnerships procedures. If child sexual abuse is suspected, a strategy meeting with Mountain Healthcare involvement is highly recommended.
3. Child Sexual Assault Assessment Services appointment
The patient is brought to the Child Sexual Assault Assessment Services appointment by a parent or carer who holds parental responsibility.
A social worker and/or police officer must also attend the appointment.
The patient will be seen by a doctor and a crisis support worker.
The appointment will include:
- a holistic assessment of mental health, sexual health needs, Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) risk and safeguarding
- an examination for injuries, including a head-to-toe examination and the offer of an intimate examination of the genitalia and anal area
- forensic samples being taken, depending on the case
- baseline sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening
- referrals to external statutory organisations, healthcare and support services
4. Following a Child Sexual Assault Assessment Services appointment
Every patient and their family will receive a holistic follow-up call 2 weeks after the Sexual Assault Referral Centre appointment.
Follow-up STI screening will be completed by our Specialist Sexual Health Nurse Advisor (SSHNA) 2 weeks and 3 months after the assault, depending on the case.
Each case is holistically reviewed by our paediatric team.
Medical reports are written by the doctor and sent to the police and social services. Statements can be produced at the request of the police.
Young people aged 13 years and over, Acute Pathway
The Yorkshire and Humber Sexual Assault Referral Centre Service is provided by Mountain Healthcare.
Telephone advice from a clinician is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Appointments are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
1. Referral to the Sexual Assault Referral Centre
In the event of a disclosure, refer to the North Yorkshire Sexual Assault Referral Centre on 0330 223 0099.
All agencies are encouraged to contact Mountain Healthcare for advice.
In the event of acute injuries, a patient’s medical needs should be considered before forensic needs.
2. Strategy meeting with Sexual Assault Referral Centre Service involvement
Follow Local Safeguarding Children Partnerships procedures. If child sexual abuse is suspected, a strategy meeting with Mountain Healthcare involvement is highly recommended.
3. Sexual Assault Referral Centre Service appointment
The patient is brought to the Sexual Assault Referral Centre Service by a parent or carer who holds parental responsibility.
The patient will be seen by a Forensic Nurse Examiner (FNE) and a crisis support worker.
The appointment will include:
- a holistic assessment of mental health, sexual health needs, risk of Child Sexual Exploitation and safeguarding
- an examination for injuries, including a head-to-toe examination and an intimate examination of the genitalia and anal area
- forensic samples being taken
- referrals to external statutory organisations, healthcare, including the local sexual health clinic, and support services
4. Following a Sexual Assault Referral Centre Service appointment
Every patient and their family will receive a holistic follow-up call 6 weeks after the Sexual Assault Referral Centre Service appointment.
Each case is holistically reviewed.
Statements can be produced at the request of the police.
Children and young people aged 0 to 15 years, Non-Recent Pathway (more than 14 days)
- North Yorkshire Child Sexual Assault Assessment Service at Acer House, Upper Poppleton
- service provided by Mountain Healthcare
- Tuesday daytime clinic
- telephone advice from a clinician available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
1. Referral to the Child Sexual Assault Assessment Service
In the event of a disclosure or professional concern of sexual abuse, refer to the North Yorkshire Child Sexual Assault Assessment Service on 0330 223 0099.
Referrals to Mountain Healthcare must be made by police or social care.
All agencies are encouraged to contact Mountain Healthcare for advice.
In the event of acute injuries, a patient’s medical needs should be considered before forensic needs.
2. Strategy meeting with Child Sexual Assault Assessment Service involvement
Follow Local Safeguarding Children Partnerships procedures. If child sexual abuse is suspected, a strategy meeting with Mountain Healthcare involvement is highly recommended.
3. Child Sexual Assault Assessment Service appointment
The patient is brought to the Child Sexual Assault Assessment Service by a parent or carer who holds parental responsibility.
A social worker and/or police officer must also attend the appointment.
The patient will be seen by a doctor and a crisis support worker.
The appointment will include:
- a holistic assessment of mental health, sexual health needs, risk of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) and safeguarding
- an examination for injuries, including a head-to-toe examination and the offer of an intimate examination of the genitalia and anal area
- baseline sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening
- referrals to external statutory organisations, healthcare and support services
4. Following a Child Sexual Assault Assessment Service appointment
Every patient and their family will receive a holistic follow-up call 2 weeks after the Sexual Assault Referral Centre appointment.
Patients aged 12 years and under: follow-up STI screening will be completed by our Specialist Sexual Health Nurse Advisor (SSHNA), when required.
Patients aged 13 to 15 years: patients will be referred to their local sexual health clinic for follow-up testing, when required.
Each case is holistically reviewed by our paediatric team.
Medical reports are written by the Forensic Medical Examiner and sent to the police and social services.
Statements can be produced at the request of the police.
Points to consider: patients aged 16 to 18 years with learning disabilities, complex needs or vulnerabilities should be assessed by a doctor to determine whether it is appropriate for them to be seen within the paediatric service.