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Aftercare Services for Victims of Rape and Sexual Assault - CPA/SPU/2961P

Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

29 Oct 2026 at 15:58

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire intends to commission an aftercare service for people of all ages affected by rape or sexual assault in the Cheshire Constabulary policing area, including non-recent cases and people whose cases are outside the criminal justice system. The service is to combine independent sexual violence adviser support, initial counselling, community counselling and therapeutic care, with specialist provision for children. It will also provide advice, family mediation, signposting to other services and support through court proceedings where relevant. The provider is expected to work with local authorities, NHS England, police and other partners in a multi-agency setting. The scope also includes training and awareness-raising for professionals and the public, contributing to prevention work across Cheshire.

This is at the planning stage: the buyer has signalled its intention to procure, but has not issued an invitation to tender. An open procedure is expected. The procurement is planned as a single lot, with an anticipated contract period from 1 April 2028 to 31 March 2031 and an option to extend to 31 March 2033. The buyer’s current estimated value is £2.625 million excluding VAT, or £3.15 million including VAT. A future tender notice is expected on 16 November 2026. The service is intended to replace an earlier one-year contract; the buyer says funding matters affected the original timetable. No award criteria or participation requirements are set out at this planning stage.

The service is marked as suitable for SMEs and voluntary, community and social enterprises, so specialist charities and smaller providers may be well placed to prepare, as well as established support organisations. Strong capability in trauma-informed counselling and therapeutic support, independent sexual violence advice, and safeguarding for adults and children will be central to the work. Providers should be ready to support victims across the full age range, including through criminal justice proceedings, and to develop person-centred support that addresses safety, wellbeing and mental health. The buyer also expects partnership working with safeguarding boards, MARAC where appropriate, health services, police, local charities and other support providers. Experience delivering practitioner training, public awareness and prevention activity, alongside staff training, supervision and continuing professional development, will be relevant.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Aftercare Services for Victims of Rape and Sexual Assault - CPA/SPU/2961P

Notice Description

UK1 Pipeline Notice in respect of new arrangements for Aftercare Services for Victims of Rape and Sexual Assault to commence 1st April 2027. UK 1 Pipeline Notice ref 2025/S 000-021969 and UK7 Contract Details Notice ref 2025/S 000-073402 refer. Funding matters have impacted on the original timetable. The intention is to replace contract CPA/SPU/2624P which was awarded on a one-year period under the Light Touch Regime. The service description based on the current requirements is: On behalf of the Local Authorities, NHS England, the Police & Crime Commissioner for Cheshire (PCC) and the Chief Constable (CC); the PCC is looking to put in place an aftercare service for victims of rape or sexual assault in the Cheshire Constabulary policing area. The minimum requirements of the PCC, NHS England and Local Authorities are for a supplier to provide a solution for all ages incorporating a full time independent sexual violence advisor and initial counselling service within a multi-agency setting for those in the Cheshire constabulary policing area who have suffered sexual violence both within and outside of the criminal justice system, including non-recent cases. The service will need to incorporate: * An ageless community counselling and therapeutic service for those suffering rape and sexual abuse. * Specialist provision to meet the needs of children. * Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) Service (conventional and specialist) * Delivery of training and awareness raising The requirements include but are not restricted to the following: * Safeguard individuals in Cheshire from sexual violence through minimising risks. * Enable service users to address the effects of sexual assault/rape and reduce repeat incidents/victimisation. * Provide a support service for anyone who has issues surrounding sexual assault or rape; to offer advice, counselling, family mediation and sign posting to other specific support services. * Support the service user though the criminal justice system, if court proceedings are involved. * To develop a person centred plan to address the needs of the individual to reduce service user's risk and improve their mental health, safety, well-being and independence for service users when identified as need. * To allow service users to provide feedback that is used to influence future service delivery. * To help enable individual service users to access their rights. The Provider must: * Participate in MARAC as appropriate. * Work in partnership with other service providers in the area (IDVA, Drug and Alcohol services etc.) * Work in close partnership with local safeguarding boards (adult and child). * Develop and work in partnership with CCG's. * Develop effective relationships with other local charities operating in this sector to ensure the offer for service users is consistent. * Work within a multi-agency setting to provide a pro-active holistic service to all victims of sexual assault or violence who have been referred or self-referred to the aftercare service. * Work in partnership with the provider of forensic examination services and crisis care for Cheshire enabling a timely and seamless provision of care for victims and the sharing of information and good practice. * Deliver training and awareness raising to professionals and the public which contribute to local and sub-regional prevention work * Be an active part of the multi-agency safeguarding arena. * Deliver basic training on sexual assault and violence to practitioners in Cheshire (and refresh as required) * Undergo training and supervision to ensure specialist knowledge and continued professional development of staff. * Work within local guidance and information sharing arrangements. This is a UK1 Pipeline Notice - and is for information only.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0793ef
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/102803-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

85000000 - Health and social work services

85312300 - Guidance and counselling services

85312310 - Guidance services

85312320 - Counselling services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£2,625,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
29 Oct 20264 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
16 Nov 20262 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Apr 2028 - 31 Mar 2031 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
WINSFORD
Postcode
CW7 2UA
Postcode Area
Crewe
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD6 Cheshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD63 Cheshire West and Chester
Delivery Location
TLD6 Cheshire
Local Authority
Cheshire West and Chester
Electoral Ward
Winsford Over & Verdin
Westminster Constituency
Mid Cheshire

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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