Witness Service (2023-2027)

Tender description

The Ministry of Justice will shortly commence the procurement for the future Witness Service. The Witness Service is an existing service, which has operated in all Criminal Courts in England and Wales for the last 25 years. The service is highly valued by stakeholders and partners for the independent, emotional and practical support it has provided witnesses over the last two decades to enable them to give their best evidence. Over the life of the new contract, it will deliver critical benefits including: Delivering on the rights and standards of care for victims and witnesses set out in the Victims Code and Witness Charter. Delivering the targets set by the Prime Minister through the Crime & Justice Task Force (CJTF) to significantly improve the experience of victims in the Criminal Justice System. Enabling this government's plans for court recovery to be realised. The future service will be materially similar the current model for support. However, we will also prioritise delivering essential improvements in value-for-money and quality of service, as well as testing ambitious options to future-proof the design of the service based on lessons learned in recent years. The Ministry of Justice is seeking a supplier to provide support to witnesses, guided by the following principles: To continue to deliver an effective service for witnesses attending court - building on the existing model for support and the significant benefits it provides to witnesses. To improve the service at a detailed level, informed by current and developing victim support policy. This will include working to create a more trauma-informed approach, improving the accessibility of the service and improving partnership working with victim advocates. To learn lessons from delivery of the support for victims and witnesses during the COVID-19 pandemic and test ways to build additional flexibility and resilience into the model for support. This would aim to ensure the service can respond with confidence to future pandemic-like scenarios, use of Nightingale courts, extended operating hours and supporting witnesses in giving remote and pre-recorded evidence. To work with the MOJ and other Criminal Justice partners to bolster the delivery of a basic level of support for all witnesses, including through digital support. Indicative project milestones include: Competition Live - December 2021 Award confirmed and transition commenced - August 2022 Launch of the Future Witness Service (latest) - January 2023 The scope of the service is being finalised, including through feedback from the market, and will be confirmed in the Contract Notice.