Independent Domestic Violence Advocates (IDVA)

The subject matter of this procurement process and the resultant contract relates to the delivery of services which are listed in Schedule 3 to the regulations. As such the full regime set out in the regulations does not apply to the award of the service contract. Consequently, the procurement process adopted by the Commissioners was developed in accordance with Regulation 76 of the regulations and in particular in accordance with the fundamental public procurement principles of transparency and equal treatment. For the avoidance of doubt this means that the Commissioners have not adopted the open procedure (as such term is defined in the regulations) for the undertaking of this procurement process. The fact that in this Contract Notice at Section IV.1) the field/box relating to type of procedure may default to the term ‘Open’ does not mean that this procedure was followed by the Commissioners. The contract is for provision of Independent Domestic Violence Advocates services in order to enable the Council to carry out its statutory duties. In accordance with the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, the County and District Councils seek to work together in partnership with stakeholders to ensure provision of appropriate emergency and safe accommodation with dedicated support for victim-survivors aged 16 years and over affected by domestic abuse and their children. The provision of services is one of 4 key strategic priorities set out in the Oxfordshire Safe Accommodation Strategy as well as the Overarching Domestic Abuse Strategy published in 2022. This service specifies provision of services meeting the required standards set out in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 to include the needs of minority groups and individuals with care and support needs to improve their health outcomes and address inequalities. The Provider in Oxfordshire will be required to work in partnership and alignment with these new services to ensure improved outcomes for victim-survivors. The total estimated number of domestic abuse victim-survivors in Oxfordshire in year ending 2020 was 27,455, referenced in the Oxfordshire Domestic Abuse Needs Assessment 2022. In comparison, the total number of police recorded crimes for the same period was 7,851 only a proportion of people affected will report to the police. However, this police data indicates a 10% increase over the previous 3 years. Females are more likely to be victim-survivors of domestic abuse in Oxfordshire (69% female compared to 29% male). The total number of police recorded incidents between adults with children was 3,238 in 2019/20. The contract period is initially 36 months (three years) commencing 1st April 2023. The Authority has an option to extend the contract period by a further 24 months (two years).