Post Office Horizon Inquiry- Psychological Support Services

The Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry is holding public hearings from September 2022 likely until May- June 2023. Witnesses must give evidence and may be questioned in a challenging manner in public. Giving evidence can be stressful for witnesses generally and this may be most keenly felt by those who are already anxious, nervous or experiencing mental health issues. While seeking evidence from relevant witnesses, the Inquiry is keen that such participation should not intensify or create psychological distress. Therefore, the Inquiry is seeking a witness psychological support service. This service provision would help participants to give evidence at the hearings in ways that minimise the negative impact on their health.

The specific service we seek would offer in person and remote support to witnesses before, and after giving evidence at our Hearings. The hearings are scheduled to run from September 2022 to at least June 2023. The service is not intended to provide long term psychological support to witnesses. We expect to launch an opportunity notice within the following week.