The existing contractual arrangements for the Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA) service are due to conclude on 30 September 2026.
To ensure continuity of specialist support for victims across Cleveland, a decision was taken in to undertake a competitive procurement exercise for the provision of ISVA services from 1 October 2026 onwards.
An Open Tender process was conducted via the In-Tend procurement portal. This route enabled interested providers to access the tender documentation and submit a bid. This ensured fair, open and transparent competition.
Full details of the procurement process, evaluation methodology and outcome are set out in the attached procurement report.
The commissioning of the ISVA service supports priorities set out in the Police and Crime Plan. It relates to the following priorities:
- Supporting victims and vulnerable people;
- Improving victim outcomes;
- Ensuring individuals affected by sexual violence can access timely, high-quality specialist support.
Arch Teesside, who is the current provider, was confirmed as the successful bidder. It has
secured continuation in service provision under the new Contract Agreement.
DRF 2026-27 – 07: Extension of ISVA services (application, 158kB)