Professionals
This page is for professionals working within agencies such as police, health and social care, local authorities and the public sector who may wish to refer to the SARC or familiarise themselves with our services.
All professionals can refer adults and young people over the age of 18 (16 and 17 years, if clinically appropriate) with their consent.
Children under 15 will need to be referred via the Police and/or Social Care.
If you would like further information or training from our SARC, please get in touch by calling 0330 223 0099 or emailing us at solacethamesvalley.sarc@nhs.net (email is monitored from 9 am – 5 pm, Monday to Friday).
Our services
We offer both paediatric and adult services.
To refer someone to our service, call us on 0330 223 0099 at any time. Our comprehensive range of services includes:
- 24/7/365 acute trauma-informed healthcare and support
- Immediate over-the-phone rape and sexual assault support and signposting to specialist services
- In-person rape and sexual assault crisis support and healthcare including access to medicine
- 24/7/365 Comprehensive Forensic Medical Examinations
- Collection and storage of forensic samples
- Comprehensive Risk Assessments
- Referral to specialist counselling and Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVA) support
- Follow-up calls after an appointment.
Medical examinations
Medical examinations are conducted by our highly skilled and compassionate sexual offence examiners.
Depending on when the incident happened, clients may be offered the option to have a forensic medical examination that includes checking for any physical injuries and collecting forensic samples. If an examination is something they are considering, it is best to contact us as soon as possible.
We offer to collect forensic samples even if a client does not want to involve the Police at the time. This gives clients the option to have forensic evidence if they choose to report the incident at a later date. In this instance, all samples will be stored at our SARC for 2 years.
During the examination, the nurse and crisis worker will regularly check in with the client to make sure they are ok and want to continue. Clients are in control and can have a break or stop the examination at any point.
After the examination clients have the option of having a shower at the centre and we provide a care bag which has items such as shampoo and a toothbrush. We also provide clothing to change into if a client’s clothing has been taken as evidence.
Patients 17 years and younger
Patients aged 16 and 17 years can self-refer to the SARC. Paediatric clinics, for children aged 15 and under, are provided by specialist forensic medical examiners (doctors) with paediatric competencies.
To refer a child to the SARC, please follow your organisational Safeguarding Policy and procedures.
For further information see our Paediatric Pathway below.
This video from the Child Sexual Abuse Centre offers a good overview of the medical examination.
Please take a look to learn more and contact us if you have any queries.
After an appointment
After an appointment, professionals and clients can contact us at any time to ask questions or to get further help and support.
With their permission, one of our nurses will contact the client six weeks after their appointment to check in and make sure they have been contacted by the referral services recommended for them.
Get in contact
with us
Make a SARC
appointment
Call our 24/7/365 telephone to make an appointment:
0330 223 0099
Professional
Referrals
All referrals from Police and professionals should be made by telephone:
0330 223 0099
Helpful
Resources
Visit our Resources page to find our leaflet and information on other helpful services.
