Scottish Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline.

Descriptions

The requirement is for the operation and management of a National Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline for Scotland to be known as the ‘National Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline, Scotland’ and hereafter, referred to as ‘the Helpline’.The ‘National Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline, Scotland’ is to be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year and will provide high-quality information and support to those experiencing domestic abuse and forced marriage and to those contacting the service on their behalf.The objectives of the service are:— to ensure the provision and delivery of accurate and relevant information to callers;— to refer all callers to appropriate support services;— to ensure the needs of victims from ethnic minority backgrounds are adequately addressed and provided for;— to ensure that the needs of victims who are socially disadvantaged through age, disability, sexual orientation or faith/belief are adequately addressed and provided for;— to ensure the effective management, training and development of staff responsible for operating the helpline;— to develop and maintain effective working relationships between helpline staff and other organisations across Scotland involved in providing or supporting services for victims of domestic abuse and forced marriage;— to ensure that staff responsible for the operation and management of the helpline receive appropriate training in areas which contribute to, influence or are otherwise associated with domestic abuse and forced marriage, e.g. substance misuse, mental health issues and complex needs.The period of contract is 19.10.2015 to 30.9.2017 with an option to extend for an additional 1 year period.