Breaking Barriers and Redefining Stigma - Examples of Innovation in Practice

11:15 - 12:30

This session will focus and highlight two transformational services - Sexual Assault Response Coordination Services (SARCS) and Aberlour Children’s Charity who are contributing toward a resilient health and social care system, delivering value-based health and care and providing innovative responses and care for service users.  

You will hear how there are over 900 adult referrals to SARCS across Scotland with figures rising. SARCS is available in each health board to address people’s immediate healthcare needs and, if appropriate, to access a forensic medical examination to gather evidence.   

This session will explore the SARCS Network’s efforts in expanding knowledge of SARCS pathways to the wider healthcare community. It will outline: 

•            How to respond to an initial disclosure 

•            Understanding the forensic window 

•            Options available to survivors, dependent on their wishes 

•            Immediate healthcare concerns 

•            Trauma-informed, person-centred care to survivors. 

Aberlour Children’s Charity, in partnership with the Scottish Government have designed a national transformational service that delivers an innovative, collaborative approach to supporting women with addictions.  

You will also hear about Aberlour’s Mother and Child Recovery House who provide an integrated approach to deliver on The Promise and Support Scotland’s National Mission, reducing drug deaths and harm, supporting women on their recovery journeys and keeping families together. 

This session will put into context the support being provided from these two organisations and from those who have experience and will bring to life their successes and challenges as they share their journey to date. 

This session will give you a greater understanding of how to respond to an initial disclosure of sexual assault or rape and describe the pathways available to survivors. Also, a greater understanding of what works in supporting women (and particularly mothers) in recovery and the importance of working collaboratively and holistically for positive long-term outcomes. 

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Speakers

Dr Carey Lunan

GP Chair of the Scottish Deep End Project

Carey worked as an NHS GP for 20 years, mostly in areas of high socio-economic deprivation, including homeless services. She is also the immediate past-Chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners in Scotland.

Caroline Erentz

Patient Advocate

Caroline became an ‘accidental activist’ following lived experience of the criminal justice system. Since 2018, Caroline has been actively involved in shaping policy, advocating for the rights of victim-survivors of gender-based violence.

Dr Sian Tucker

Deputy Medical Director, NHS National Services Scotland

Sian is Deputy Medical Director of National Services Scotland, which is part of the NHS in Scotland.

Natalie Douglas

Acting Service Manager, Aberlour

Natalie has worked in social care since 2016 with varying roles across both adult and children and family services.

Christine Buntrock

Consultant & Clinical Governance Lead, Aberlour

Christine has been a nurse in the Drug/Alcohol field for 36 years, initially in America. She managed the Drug Treatment and Testing Order team in East Renfrewshire, Renfrewshire, and Inverclyde. Then Operations Manager for drug/alcohol and justice services at Turning Point Scotland.