South West London CYP Support Hub

Rape Crisis South London (RCSL) is proud to be supported by the NHS South West London ICB to deliver specialist services for children and young people from April 2026 to March 2027.

The South West London CYP Support Hub provides specialist, trauma-informed support for children and young people who have experienced or been affected by child sexual abuse, sexual violence, exploitation or related trauma.

Rape Crisis South London (RCSL) is working with trusted specialist services to support children and young people aged 4–18, and up to 25 for young people with additional needs or disabilities, who live, study or are under the care of services in Croydon, Kingston, Merton, Richmond, Sutton and Wandsworth.

If you or a young person you know needs support but lives outside these boroughs, you may still be able to access support through Rape Crisis South London’s wider Children, Young People & Families service here, depending on eligibility.

what we offer

Sometimes RCSL will provide the support directly, and sometimes we may talk with one of our partner organisations so the young person can be offered the most suitable help.

  • AGE: 4–18

    Short-term, child-led support to help children and young people feel heard, understand their needs and access the right support around them.

    This may include emotional check-ins, practical advocacy, safety planning, support with referrals, and liaison with schools, social workers, police, health services or other professionals.

  • AGE: 4–18

    Longer-term counselling & therapy for children and young people affected by child sexual abuse, sexual violence, exploitation or related trauma. This could include creative arts and play therapy or counselling.

    The theraputic approach will be appropriate to the child or young person’s age, developmental stage and theraputic needs.

    Counselling is paced around the child or young person’s needs. They will not be forced to talk about anything before they are ready.

  • AGE: UP TO 18

    Time-limited advocacy support around sexual violence and the criminal justice process.

    This may include support with understanding rights, police processes, court-related worries, safety planning and onward referrals.

  • Support may also be available for non-abusing parents, carers and family members.

    This may include emotional support, information about trauma responses, guidance around responding to disclosures, and support to strengthen safety and recovery at home.

  • AGE: 12–25

    With specialist partners, we will provide tailored support for young people with a learning disability, autism, or both.

    We will consider communication, access, sensory, learning and support needs as part of the referral and assessment process.

contact for more information

Refer yourself or someone you care for

If you are aged 15+ and have experienced or been affected by child sexual abuse, sexual violence, exploitation or related trauma, you can refer yourself for support.

Non-abusing parents, carers and family members can also refer a young person on their behalf, and may be able to access support themselves to help them care for and support that young person.

refer here

Refer as a professional

If you are a professional working with a child or young person who has experienced or been affected by child sexual abuse, sexual violence, exploitation or related trauma, you can make a referral on their behalf.

This includes professionals from schools, social care, health services, youth services and other agencies supporting the child or young person.

refer here

Resources

Need additional support?

Frequently asked questions

  • No. A referral being received does not mean the young person has automatically been accepted. Referrals are reviewed first so we can understand need, risk, eligibility and the most appropriate pathway.

    Acceptance of referrals will aldo depend on service capacity and funding.

    If the referral is not accepted, we will explain why where possible and provide information about alternative services, signposting, or where possible re-referral in the future.

  • Yes. Please include details of all agencies involved and who is holding lead responsibility for risk or safeguarding. This helps us decide whether our service can safely support alongside the existing network.

    However, we would not offer therapy or counselling to a young person who is already engaged in a theraputic process elsewhere.

  • Yes, but the timing and type of support may need careful consideration. In some cases, therapy may need to be adapted, delayed or coordinated with the ISVA, police, CPS or other professionals involved.

  • The SWL CSA service is not a crisis service.

    If there is an immediate risk of serious harm, urgent safeguarding concern, immediate suicidal intent, acute mental health crisis, or risk requiring emergency intervention, the referrer/current involved agencies should follow their own safeguarding procedures and contact the relevant emergency, CAMHS crisis, social care, police, or health services.

    The CYP acceptance criteria state that where there is no immediate life-threatening mental health or safeguarding emergency, and where ongoing risks have an active safeguarding plan and lead agency, support may be considered.

    Where a child or young person is in acute crisis, urgent CAMHS, A&E, police or crisis services should remain the lead provider, with possible later re-referral once stabilised.

  • Where possible, we will consider what feels safest and most accessible. Support may be offered in person, online, in school, in a community setting, or another suitable location depending on the pathway.

    Some support may be available online, depending on your needs, safety, privacy and the type of support being offered.

  • We will talk with you about ending support, what has been helpful, any ongoing needs, feedback, and whether you need signposting or referral to another service.