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:
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Do you handle 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 up to two weeks (depending on the availability of information on the child)
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Other organisations provide an integrated service, what makes you different?
SACCS is unique in providing an in-house 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.
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How do you define 'recovery'?
SACCS defines recovery as helping a child to recover from the damage caused by trauma, so that they can fulfil their true potential and lead a positive life.
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How do you know when a child has recovered?
There are no hard and fast rules about a child's recovery. Every child is an individual with their own unique problems. Our normal practice is to assess the child from the outset, put together a recovery plan which addresses the child's needs and build into that plan realistic outcomes over a given time frame. This plan will help to minimise the effects of trauma, and will measure progress towards recovery.
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Which children do you care 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.
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Which children do you not take in?
All children referred to SACCS are considered on an individual basis, depending on their circumstances. However, we do not care for children who are/have:
- Require residential placement together with full time in-house education
- Suffer from severe physical disability
- Are over the age of 12 and under 4 (on admission)
- Have a criminal record
- Are severely autistic
- Have not experienced trauma
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What exit plans are available to a child on leaving SACCS?
A child will leave us when they have recovered, and this judgement will be made by SACCS and the Social Worker responsible for the child. Children leaving SACCS are placed in foster care, either by SACCS Family Placement or by their own local authority.
SACCS Family Placement is involved at an early stage and they will identify the right foster placement within a suitable family.
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What is your success rate in providing recovery for the children you have cared for?
We have a very high success rate of children moving on to, and sustaining, a family placement.
In the last 5 years we have had:
- 100% success using S.F.P. on leaving SACCS
- 75% success in placements by local authorities on leaving SACCS
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What do you charge for your service?
This will depend on the age of the child, the length of time the contract runs for, and the level of educational support needed. Our referral support team can provide further guidance on this.
Please telephone 08000 32 30 31 for more information.
