Witness Service (2023 - 2027)

Tender description

This notice launches the competition for the provision of the Witness Service contract (2023 - 2027). The Witness Service offers a basic level of support to all witnesses, including: Providing information to witnesses about their rights and the process of giving evidence. Greeting witnesses on the day of trial, acting as a generally supportive presence and supporting HMTCS staff escorting witnesses through court buildings (including the use of special entrances for witnesses) and relaying messages from the court room. The service also offers witnesses a visit to the court building before their trial so they can familiarise themselves with the environment. Outreach support' is additionally offered for vulnerable and intimidated witnesses (VIW). This comprises initial meetings away from the court environment to help prepare them and manage their expectations about the process. Lot 1: The Witness Service is an existing service which will be recommissioned. The Witness Service has operated in all Criminal Courts in England and Wales since 2003, with a combination of volunteers and paid staff providing emotional and practical support to prosecution and defence witnesses to enable them to give their best evidence. The future service will be materially similar to the current model. However, we will also examine options for future improvement through effective engagement with the market. The Ministry of Justice is seeking a provider to provide support guided by the following principles, reflecting our vision for the service: To continue to deliver a service for witnesses attending court - building on the existing model for support and the significant benefits it provides to witnesses. To provide the service flexibility to better respond to new challenges, including pandemic-like scenarios, future use of Nightingale courts, Extended Operating Hours and support witnesses in giving remote and pre-recorded evidence. To improve the service at a detailed level, learning lessons from victim policy in recent years. 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 create opportunities within the service design to test ambitious options for future improvement of the service, including through digital support. The anticipated quantity or scope is an estimate of the potential value of the contract and does not in any way guarantee any level of expenditure. The estimated cost range is real in 2022, does not account for inflation. All values should be considered as indicative only.