Avon & Somerset Sexual Assault and Abuse Therapies Service

NHS England South West seeks a Provider with the capability and capacity to deliver a Sexual Assault and Abuse Therapies Service in Avon & Somerset.<br/><br/>The Avon and Somerset Sexual Assault and Abuse Therapies Service will be required to focus on service provision for people resident in Avon and Somerset. Due to the nature of funding, the service will operate across Avon and Somerset, but some specific activity will be required and monitored in ‘Bristol’ and ‘Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire’. <br/><br/>Future provision should include significant innovation in the way services are delivered, broadening the ‘menu’ of interventions. It should focus on increasing collaboration, striving for equity across the geography and an integrated pathway.<br/>Within the broader pathway, this service will provide (or enable access to): <br/>• A range of evidence-based, trauma-informed therapeutic interventions for adults and children of all genders who have experienced sexual violence and abuse<br/>• A range of interventions to respond to diverse needs and presentations, including complex trauma. This should include a ‘helpline’ and may also include for example befriending, peer support, psycho-education, brief interventions, creative therapies, counselling, EMDR.<br/>• Services within a range of dedicated premises and via remote platforms (by telephone or online), according to service user preference<br/>• Individual and group provision<br/>• Integrated referral, assessment, waiting list and case management systems<br/>• Good endings and prevent dependencies on therapy services<br/>• Clear escalation processes and referral routes through relevant pathways, including mental and physical health, criminal justice and domestic abuse<br/>• Provision which responds to the needs of people with protected characteristics, is culturally competent and offers reasonable adjustments where indicated<br/><br/>The service will:<br/>• Comply with the CPS vulnerable victims and witnesses guidance including pre-trial therapy protocol making use of resources from the Bluestar Project.<br/>• Operate well co-ordinated interagency arrangements and pathways. <br/>• Be flexible and innovative, responsive to fluctuations in demand<br/>• Liaise with other agencies and frameworks (including Local Safeguarding Children Boards (LSCBs) and Local Safeguarding Adults Boards (LSABs)) to ensure no child or vulnerable adult is at on-going risk and for consideration of the need to protect others<br/>• Operate in accordance with best practice guidance and relevant regulations and legislation<br/>• Comply with NHS standards of clinical governance and the Working Time Directive<br/>• Comply with relevant NICE guidance<br/>• Facilitate and provide appropriate data collection and reporting processes<br/>• Comply with criminal justice processes including provision of statements and appearances in court.<br/>• Comply with requests from the relevant responsible authorities to take part in Coroner’s Inquests, local reviews, including Safeguarding Adults Reviews, Serious Case Reviews and Domestic Homicide Reviews, as part of this contract<br/>• Be accredited by, and registered with, relevant bodies including BACP and UKCP<br/>Service users will:<br/>• Be psychologically competent to undertake the therapeutic interventions<br/>• Not be in mental health crisis (see below for definition)<br/>• Have experienced sexual violence or assault or be close family members/carers of those who have<br/>• Be of any age<br/>• Be of any gender<br/>• Be provided for regardless of involvement (or not) in a criminal justice process