ISVA Service and Sexual Violence Support Services in Kent & Medway

The provision of an Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA) Service and Sexual Violence (SV) Support Services in Kent and Medway. The term of the contract will initially be for 3 years to commence on 01.04.19 to 31.03.22. There will be the option for the Contracting Authority to extend, pending on funding availability, performance and quality service delivery for a further 3 years but this will be on a yearly extension basis.

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Kent (the PCC) is focused on supporting victims and has made a commitment to provide services that treat victims as individuals, and can be tailored to their needs.

These services should not only support victims in dealing with the often complex criminal justice system, but empower individuals to cope and recover from the crime they have suffered. The PCC wishes to ensure a sustainable ISVA service, (which includes Child Independent Sexual Violence Advisers (CISVA))and SV Support Services is available Kent, which provides effective support to victims of rape and sexual violence. In addition, there is a firm commitment to identifying the best opportunities to support children who have suffered sexual violence, including adults who suffered as children and now feel able to access support services.

Historically, funding for ISVA and (SV) support services has been based on time limited grants and short term funding which is not guaranteed year on year. This means that the providers and victims face uncertainty regarding continued service delivery and support. With the number of people seeking support from ISVA and SV support services increasing there is a need to establish longer term sustainability for these services. Due to this and the funding available through the Ministry of Justice grant the PCC is looking to commission specialist services to support victims of rape and sexual violence across the policing area of Kent.

The specification for this service is based on two interdependent areas:

1. (ISVA) and (CISVA) Service, and
2. Sexual Violence (SV) Support Services.

It is important that the two areas act in conjunction with each other to ensure that the service delivers effective and co-ordinated support for victims who have experienced rape and sexual violence.

It is anticipated that Kent Police will refer people to the successful provider to access relevant support but also that other services will refer people and that people could access the service directly without referral.