Professionals.
This page is aimed at Professionals working within agencies such as Health and Social Care, Local Authorities and the Public Sector who may wish to refer into the SARC, or familiarise themselves with our services. If you would like further information or training from Oakwood Place about our service please get in touch via essex.sarc@nhs.net or by calling 01277 240 620.
Our Service.
Oakwood Place, Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) offers a range of support services to anyone living within the Essex area who has experienced sexual abuse or sexual violence, either recently or in the past.
Clients can self-refer without having to involve the Police, it is not necessary for a report to have been made to access our services. We can also, with a client's permission, take initial referrals from other professionals such as, but not limited to GP's, A&E and Sexual Health Clinics.
We also work alongside Essex Police to support any clients who have chosen to report to the Police.
Clients can self-refer without having to involve the Police, it is not necessary for a report to have been made to access our services. We can also, with a client's permission, take initial referrals from other professionals such as, but not limited to GP's, A&E and Sexual Health Clinics.
We also work alongside Essex Police to support any clients who have chosen to report to the Police.
Services for 12s and Under.
Services for Children aged 12 and under are provided by specialist trained paediatricians. To refer a child to a SARC, please follow your organisational Safeguarding Policy/Essex SET procedures. For further information see our Paediatric Pathway below.
This video from the CSA Centre, offers a good overview of the medical examination in CSA cases. Please take a look to learn more.
This video from the CSA Centre, offers a good overview of the medical examination in CSA cases. Please take a look to learn more.
Project Goldcrest (CSE)
Project Goldcrest in an initiative, designed collaboratively by Essex Police, the Oakwood Place SARC, Thurrock and Essex Children's Social Care, Thurrock LSCP, ESCB, SERICC and Essex CCG's, with input from young people, through focus group discussions.
It was recognised that many young people say that Police/Social Care involvement can be a barrier to reporting child sexual exploitation (CSE), sexual violence and sexual abuse. So, whilst Police referrals and self-referrals into the SARC are preferable (for both criminal justice outcomes and improving patient outcomes), obtaining anonymous evidence and having some contact with the young person is better than none at all.
Project Goldcrest allows young people (who have already been identified as being at risk of CSE) to take their own forensic samples at home, with someone with parental responsibility (or an appropriate adult) as a witness. Their information, along with their bagged exhibits, are provided to the Police and stored for 25 years. The young person remains anonymous to the Police (unless they later decide they want to formally report) but the Police gain valuable information, intelligence, and evidence, which is recorded on their database.
Each young person, who is chosen to participate in the project, is provided with an information pack and a Self-Administered Forensic Evidence (SAFE) box (which is replaced each time they send one back for storage). They are given full instructions and access to instructional videos, featuring a specially trained Forensic Nurse Examiner.
If you are a professional, who would like to refer a young person to this project, please contact the SARC on: 01277 240620.
The Project Goldcrest Referral Pathway can be found here.
For more information regarding Project Goldcrest, please click here.
It was recognised that many young people say that Police/Social Care involvement can be a barrier to reporting child sexual exploitation (CSE), sexual violence and sexual abuse. So, whilst Police referrals and self-referrals into the SARC are preferable (for both criminal justice outcomes and improving patient outcomes), obtaining anonymous evidence and having some contact with the young person is better than none at all.
Project Goldcrest allows young people (who have already been identified as being at risk of CSE) to take their own forensic samples at home, with someone with parental responsibility (or an appropriate adult) as a witness. Their information, along with their bagged exhibits, are provided to the Police and stored for 25 years. The young person remains anonymous to the Police (unless they later decide they want to formally report) but the Police gain valuable information, intelligence, and evidence, which is recorded on their database.
Each young person, who is chosen to participate in the project, is provided with an information pack and a Self-Administered Forensic Evidence (SAFE) box (which is replaced each time they send one back for storage). They are given full instructions and access to instructional videos, featuring a specially trained Forensic Nurse Examiner.
If you are a professional, who would like to refer a young person to this project, please contact the SARC on: 01277 240620.
The Project Goldcrest Referral Pathway can be found here.
For more information regarding Project Goldcrest, please click here.
Open Days.
Oakwood Place SARC holds a numner of events including training and information days, as well as open days, allowing professionals from other organisations/agencies to attend the SARC, where they will receive a tour following the journey of our clients, understand the roles of the team throughout the process and network with other professionals.
Please click here to view our upcoming and to book your place (via eventbrite).
Please click here to view our upcoming and to book your place (via eventbrite).
Downloadable Resources.
Training Materials.
Oakwood Place provide training for professionals.
If you wish one of the SARC team to provide any training for your organisation, please contact us to discuss.
If you wish one of the SARC team to provide any training for your organisation, please contact us to discuss.