Frequently Asked Questions

This section is mainly aimed at local authority Social Workers and Placement Officers and addresses some of the questions we most frequently get asked:

What does SACCS Stand for?

When the company was established in 1987, the initial focus was on children who had experienced sexual abuse. The name of the company therefore reflected this service and was named Sexual Abuse Child Consultancy Services (SACCS). Over two decades later, the focus to continually improve has extended our services to include all children who have suffered and been traumatised by sexual, physical and mental abuse and neglect. To this end, the term ‘SACCS’ exclusively functions as the company name and no longer represents the original acronym.
Do you accept referrals for emergency placements?

Generally speaking - no. SACCS defines an emergency placement as immediate - a there and then situation. Our normal placement process is a quick one, however, and takes on average two weeks from completion of the assessment process.
Other organisations provide an integrated service, what makes you different?

SACCS is unique in providing an in-house fully integrated service with therapy, life story and therapeutic parenting teams, all of whom are specialists in working with children. Other organisations often out source these services.
How do you define 'recovery'?

‘This is when the child has internalised her attachments and consolidated her emotional development to a point where these can be successfully transferred to other environments and relationships. The child is then deemed to have the potential to achieve full ability in all aspects of her life.’

_{Pughe, B. and Philpot, T. (2007) Chapter 10 .The Means to Recovery. Pg. 112. Jessica Kingsley Publishers, London}

SACCS defines recovery as helping a child to overcome the damage caused by their early life traumatic experiences, so that they can fulfil their true potential and lead a positive inclusive life.
How do you know when a child has recovered?

Every child is an individual with their own unique challenges. Our normal practice is to offer a comprehensive assessment of the child from the outset, putting together an individual recovery plan which addresses the child's needs and build into that plan realistic outcomes over a given time frame and will measure progress towards recovery.
What is the admission criteria for the children SACCS cares for?

SACCS offers recovery for children aged between 4 and 12 years (on admission) who have experienced trauma in their lives as a result of sexual, physical, emotional abuse or neglect. These children may have also experienced a variety of placement breakdowns and need help to regain their trust in adults in preparation for the future.
How long does the Recovery Process take?

Currently the Recovery Process takes on average 3.5 years. This time scale should however be used as a guide only as each child's ability to internalise and positively use the therapeutic opportunities differs greatly. We do however constantly monitor and measure each child's individual progress towards recovery, via LAC reviews and SACCS Recovery Assessment meetings, thus eliminating 'drift' in the child's care planning.
What happens when a child reaches the point of Recovery?

As a child approaches the end of the SACCS Recovery Plan, typically in the last six months of placement, foster family options or independent living are considered by the Recovery Services Team. In collaboration with SACCS Care, Flying Colours and the Local Authority; the needs of the child are reviewed and considered in the context of a fostering placement. If it is concluded fostering is a suitable placement choice for the young person the Local Authority will request Flying Colours to seek to identify a suitable family match.