The reasons for the decision are:
From working with St Marys SARC, our provider of therapeutic
support services of rape and other sexual offences for children and
young people, a number of agreed challenges have been identified in
this sector that require fully scoping in order to identify ways
forward. This includes a lack of capacity to regularly monitor
waiting lists, to review suitability, assess risk, and refer
victims to more appropriate services where necessary. There is also
a gap in terms of GM wide local protocols between SARC and
Children’s Services/CAMHS.
There is recognition that there is significant complexity and high
levels of need of the children and families that utilise the St
Marys SARC service, with many unknowns about the collective profile
of children and parents and the appropriateness of current
pathways. GMCA Police and Crime Team have engaged with external
consultants and particularly the NHS Integrated Care to scope out
an independent review of SARC CYP case management.
This proposed review will deliver the following outcomes:
• Recognition of the importance and responsibilities of the
range of partner agencies (health, education and social care)
towards these children and their families;
• A clear articulation of the extent of the need of children
(and parents) on the waiting list including how they profile in the
range of children’s and adult services.
• A clear plan to safely reduce the child waiting list for CYP
SARC counselling services;
• Options appraisal for the prompt delivery of services to
children on the waiting list and the capacity within SARC to
deliver this;
• Adequate escalation process for all agencies
This joint independent review will be conducted with a
collaborative “critical friend” approach that draws on
the expertise of the service to co-create a reflective learning
process. This will include:
• Review of CAHMS eligibility in each area
• Identification of potential barriers from triage to onward
referral
• Review of multi-agency safeguarding responsibilities
• Deep dive case review
• Review current case management systems and mechanisms to
analyse patient demographics and trend data
• Consideration of the needs of parents including addressing
their possible traumatisation and potential re-traumatisation in
the context of their own history;
• Consideration of the role of SARC and other services in
helping to educate parents on how to keep their children safe from
further harm;
The review will be undertaken by Dr Alex Chard, Director YCTCS Ltd.
He is a systemic organisational consultant, independent academic
and professional author. He has a Professional Doctorate in
Systemic Practice and is a member of the Society of Authors and the
Institute of Directors. is recognised as a national expert in this
field and has extensive experience including undertaking reviews
into 2 London boroughs and reporting to a Home Office
Minister.
Decision type: Non-key
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Notice of proposed decision first published: 09/05/2024
Decision due: 4 Apr 2024 by Director for Police, Crime, Criminal Justice and Fire, GM Deputy Mayor, Treasurer GMCA
Contact: Lisa Lees Email: lisa.lees@greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk.