Domestic Abuse Support Service Market Engagement Event

This Prior Information Notice is advertised regarding an upcoming market engagement event to inform our design of a service to support residents of Wokingham Borough Council who are experiencing or at risk of domestic abuse.

The service will be offering preventative action and support to those experiencing domestic abuse, their families, and perpetrators of domestic abuse as well as collaborating with services that work with these client groups. All the services will be community based.

The service will be offering a range of support in three areas:

1) Prevention, Awareness Raising and Workforce Development - Training regarding domestic abuse; Providing training and support to G.P's and health professionals in the Wokingham Borough; Development of front line worker confidence when managing a case involving domestic abuse within the Wokingham Borough; Publish and advertise services; Healthy relationship education in schools

2) Crisis Support and Safety Planning - Advice and support for victims and survivors of domestic abuse; Safety planning for victims and survivors of domestic abuse including young people and children; Support planning at point of crisis; Proactive engagement with hard to engage service users; Support through criminal justice process and accessing legal advice; Referring to the Reading Sanctuary Scheme

3) Breaking the Cycle of Abuse - Ongoing support to those who have experienced abuse to help break cycle of abuse, including working in partnership with other services; Perpetrator Programme; Direct working with children and young people who are or have been living in a household with abuse; Resettlement support.

It is anticipated that the contract will be let for a 5 years term with a potential extension of up to 2 years subject to good performance.

Service scope includes: Proactive signposting to relevant local organisations; supporting local organisations to effectively support domestic abuse victims, survivors and their families; adapting to local need for service delivery; and work with the domestic abuse strategy group to manage local priorities and resources.

The new contract start date is anticipated to be during July 2021.

WBC will host a Market Engagement event virtually on Tuesday 15th December 10:00-13:00. Organisations wishing to participate should submit an expression of interest by 23:59, Friday 11th December 2020 via the ProContract Portal.