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The Star Clinic

Checked: 23-09-2023 by Next Review: 23-09-2025

Overview

Star Clinic will see children and young people who:

have genital conditions not relating to abuse.
have disclosed a history of sexual abuse.
might otherwise be at risk of sexual abuse (including Female Genital Mutilation or cutting).

The incidents disclosed by the children and young people may be in the relatively recent past (a minimum of one week) or may be events that occurred several years before the time of disclosure. Children who have disclosed a recent assault (less than one week) are managed under the acute child protection and forensic procedures.

If there are safeguarding concerns please discuss with your practice safeguarding lead or see the Children's safeguarding page.

FGM in children

Mandatory reporting of FGM is required for all children under the age of 18 years old.

Please see the FGM in children page for further information.

Who to refer

Any child or young person in Bristol, North Somerset or South Gloucestershire who has a genital condition, or been sexually harmed more than one week ago and may need care and treatment.

The clinic age range is up to 18th birthday- so aged 17 and under.

Before referral

For children where there is suspected sexual abuse a multi-agency strategy discussion, including a paediatrician, must have been held before referrals will be accepted.

This is not required for referrals relating to gynaecological skin conditions eg Lichen Sclerosus or vulvovaginitis.

Referral

Referrals are received from:

Police – Child Abuse Investigation Team (CAIT) Sexual Abuse Investigation Team (SAIT),
Children and Young People’s Services (CYPS) / Social care
GPs
Consultants/Doctors from any Trust.

Referrals can be made by:

Telephone: 0300 125 6917

Email: Sirch.Bristolstarclinic@nhs.net

or by letter sent to

Address: Lead Clinician for Star Clinic, Community Children’s Health Partnership, Unit 9, Eastgate Office Centre, Eastgate Road, Eastville, Bristol, BS5 6XX.

If a video interview has been undertaken by the police it is necessary to have a written summary of this before the child is seen. Similarly, if Children & Young People’s Services have undertaken an assessment it is important to have a copy of this prior to the appointment.

Following the clinic

A written report, police statement or letter (depending on the reason for referral) will be provided to the referrer with copies being sent to relevant professionals with the knowledge of the young person or carer. Carers are made aware that disclosure of information and photos obtained at the clinic may be required for subsequent legal processes.

The young person may be seen again if there are particular health issues. The young person or family may be referred for ongoing support or local follow-up.

Contact details

Telephone: 0300 125 6917

Email: Sirch.Bristolstarclinic@nhs.net

Address: Star Clinic, Community Children’s Health Partnership, Unit 9, Eastgate Office Centre, Eastgate Road, Eastville, Bristol, BS5 6XX

Efforts are made to ensure the accuracy and agreement of these guidelines, including any content uploaded, referred to or linked to from the system. However, BNSSG ICB cannot guarantee this. This guidance does not override the individual responsibility of healthcare professionals to make decisions appropriate to the circumstances of the individual patient, in consultation with the patient and/or guardian or carer, in accordance with the mental capacity act, and informed by the summary of product characteristics of any drugs they are considering. Practitioners are required to perform their duties in accordance with the law and their regulators and nothing in this guidance should be interpreted in a way that would be inconsistent with compliance with those duties.

Information provided through Remedy is continually updated so please be aware any printed copies may quickly become out of date.