Suicide Bereavement Liaison Service

The essential elements required of the service are: Timeliness – that a proactive offer of support is made within 48-72 hours of the death, but also that the agency responds quickly (within 24 hours) to people contacting them beyond this timeframe Accessibility – that support offers are accessible to the people choosing that type of support, either geographically (eg: we know in some areas long-distance travel is required to reach peer-support groups), digitally, or to meet particular communication requirements, sensory or learning disabilities Professional – that the liaison service is staffed by individuals who are suitably experienced, knowledgeable, and skilled, and potentially qualified, to respond to the specialised needs of people affected by suicide, and that appropriate supervisory and wellbeing support systems are in place to support the staff Compassionate – that the workforce is supported by a working environment that offers psychological safety, and that all workers understand what it feels like to be treated with compassion, so that they can ensure a compassionate response to the public Safe – that the agency and its workforce understand the principles and legislation relating to safeguarding and the needs of vulnerable groups. The successful Bidder should ensure that appropriate checks have been undertaken through the Disclosure and Barring Service for any personnel that are likely to come into contact with children, young people or vulnerable adults during the course of the Contract Confidential – those being served by the liaison agency can be confident that their conversations, and any records of their needs are confidential; their personal data and information is protected in line with the requirements of data protection legislation; and only used for the purposes of this service and the support they wish to engage with The outcome will be a nationally recognised bereavement liaison service that can be accessed either by signposting, referral, or recommendation through a range of agencies or self-referral.”