Mid and West Wales Family Court Pathfinder: Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) 2025-2026

Multi Agency Working and Partnership Requirements

The service will need to understand the role of and actively engage with all relevant statutory and non-statutory services available to victims of domestic abuse and their children.

The Pathfinder model incorporates a range of delivery partners, including MoJ, HMCTS, Cafcass Cymru, the police, local authorities, the judiciary, and domestic abuse support agencies. It will be important for the domestic abuse support service to understand multi-agency partnership structures and work within a multi-agency setting which could include participation at the MARAC.

Standards and accreditation

The service shall sit within an agency with robust quality assurance processes in place and demonstrate compliance and training in line with relevant accreditations, such as The Welsh Women’s Aid National Quality Service Standards, Safe Lives IDVA Training, Leading Lights accreditation.

This should particularly be noted in regard to the provision of child-focussed services, such as Child Independent Domestic Violence Advocates. Flexibility and local discretion is also permitted with regard to the level of support, staff qualifications and accreditations listed above, or other such suitable equivalents. While the Ministry of Justice regards such child-focussed services and levels of qualification/accreditation both optional and discretionary, it strongly encourages all service providers to meet these aims.  

Resourcing, Staffing and Safeguarding

The Service will sit within an infrastructure of existing IDVA provision and shall be delivered by staff who are appropriately trained, skilled and knowledgeable, and have the depth and breadth of experience to provide expert, coordinated, and confident response tailored to the diverse and different needs of individuals affected by domestic abuse. This will be essential due to the expected pathfinder launch date of the 3rd of March 2025. 

The Service and staff delivering will also need an awareness of Family Court processes and proceedings, and its challenges, particularly for victims of domestic abuse and their children.

Y Gofynion o ran Trefniadau Gweithio a Phartneriaethau Amlasiantaeth

Bydd angen i'r gwasanaeth ddeall rôl yr holl wasanaethau statudol ac anstatudol perthnasol sydd ar gael i ddioddefwyr cam-drin domestig a'u plant, ac ymgysylltu'n weithredol â nhw.

Mae model y Rhaglen Fraenaru yn ymgorffori amrywiaeth o bartneriaid cyflawni, gan gynnwys y Weinyddiaeth Gyfiawnder, Gwasanaeth Llysoedd a Thribiwnlysoedd Ei Fawrhydi, Cafcass Cymru, yr heddlu, awdurdodau lleol, y farnwriaeth ac asiantaethau cymorth cam-drin domestig. Bydd yn bwysig i'r gwasanaeth cymorth cam-drin domestig ddeall strwythurau partneriaeth amlasiantaeth a gweithio o fewn lleoliad amlasiantaeth a allai gynnwys cymryd rhan yn y Gynhadledd Amlasiantaeth Asesu Risg (MARAC).

Safonau ac achredu

Bydd y gwasanaeth yn rhan o asiantaeth â phrosesau sicrhau ansawdd cadarn ar waith a bydd yn dangos cydymffurfiaeth a hyfforddiant yn unol ag achrediadau perthnasol, fel Safonau Ansawdd Gwasanaeth Cenedlaethol Cymorth i Ferched Cymru, Hyfforddiant Cynghorwyr Trais Domestig Annibynnol Safe Lives, achrediad Leading Lights. 

Dylid nodi hyn yn benodol o ran darparu gwasanaethau sy'n canolbwyntio ar blant, fel Cynghorydd Trais Domestic Annibynnol ar gyfer Plant. Caniateir hyblygrwydd a disgresiwn lleol hefyd o ran lefel y cymorth, cymwysterau staff ac achrediadau a restrir uchod, neu gymwysterau cyfatebol addas eraill o'r fath. Er bod y Weinyddiaeth Gyfiawnder yn ystyried gwasanaethau sy'n canolbwyntio ar blant o'r fath a lefelau cymhwyster/achrediad dewisol a dewisol, mae'n annog pob darparwr gwasanaeth yn gryf i gyflawni'r nodau hyn.  

Adnoddau, Staffio a Diogelu

Bydd y gwasanaeth yn rhan o seilwaith darpariaeth Cynghorwyr Trais Domestig Annibynnol bresennol a chaiff ei ddarparu gan staff medrus a gwybodus sydd wedi'u hyfforddi'n briodol ac sy'n meddu ar brofiad helaeth i ddarparu ymateb arbenigol, cydlynol a hyderus wedi'i deilwra i anghenion amrywiol a gwahanol unigolion y mae cam-drin domestig yn effeithio arnynt. Bydd hyn yn hanfodol o ganlyniad i ddyddiad lansio disgwyliedig y Rhaglen Fraenaru, sef 3 Mawrth 2025. Fel rhan o'r cais am grant, bydd angen i'r darparwr nodi yn ei gynllun gweithredu sut mae'n bwriadu lansio'r gwasanaeth o fewn yr amserlen hon, gan gynnwys nodi unrhyw gynlluniau wrth gefn, er enghraifft defnyddio Cynghorwyr Trais Domestig Annibynnol presennol er mwyn lansio'r gwasanaeth ar amser wrth i'r broses recriwtio gael ei chwblhau. Bydd angen i'r gwasanaeth hefyd addasu i lwythi achosion sy'n amrywio, a fydd yn cael eu goruchwylio drwy waith casglu data a chyfarfodydd monitro.

Bydd angen i'r gwasanaeth a'r staff sy'n ei ddarparu fod yn ymwybodol o brosesau a gweithrediadau'r Llysoedd Teulu, a'u heriau, yn enwedig i ddioddefwyr cam-drin domestig a'u plant.

Service Objectives

Applicants must demonstrate how their service meets the following key objectives of the Pathfinder model.

Support an investigative and problem-solving approach which integrates the court with wider services that can support families.

Adopt a multi-agency approach to improve coordination between the Family Court and agencies, such as local authorities and the police, and the way allegations of domestic abuse and other risks of harm are dealt with.

Work with domestic abuse victims and their families to keep them and their children safe.

Provide advocacy, emotional, practical support, and information during and around court hearings, as well as in relation to legal options, housing, health, and finance.

Support the empowerment of victims and assist them in recognising the features and dynamics of domestic abuse present in their situation and help them regain control of their lives.

A commitment in upskilling all professionals around domestic abuse and better integration with local domestic abuse services.

 Accept referrals from agencies for individuals involved in Family Court proceedings when there are concerns, accusations, and or/evidence of domestic abuse.

 Develop links with HMCTS and Cafcass Cymru for clear referral pathways and information sharing processes.

Identify and assess the risks and needs of families referred through to the Pathfinder affected by domestic abuse using an evidence-based risk identification checklist (DASH) and provide the assessments to the referring social work agency (Cafcass Cymru or Local Authority) within agreed timescales.

 Have an awareness of referral pathways to a range of specialist services such as domestic abuse perpetrator interventions, substance misuse and mental health.

Contributions to and participation in multi-disciplinary training, including specialist training on domestic abuse.

 Ongoing involvement in pilot development and implementation groups.

Improve the voice of the child in Family Court proceedings.

Support a child welfare focused approach and work closely with agencies to promote the voice of the child.

Feed into the Child Impact Report (CIR) when requested. Cafcass Cymru and/or Local Authorities are responsible for completion of this report but may include a summary of the DASH assessment from the IDVA that has been agreed with the adult party.

Work with partners to enable earlier engagement with children within proceedings. Ensure their voice, wishes and feelings are heard early and centred within the process.

 Support engagement and have an understanding for the adults in the system.

Focus on closing proceedings well.

Checking in with families after final orders have been made and providing advice, support and signposting as necessary. Ensuring the safety and welfare of victims and their children

 Show a commitment to deliver an accessible service.

 Respect and value the diversity of the community in which the services work in and recognise the needs and concerns of a diverse range of survivors ensuring the service is accessible to all.

 Commit to ensuring a non-discriminatory service which includes identifying barriers to access for vulnerable groups.

Ensure venues are accessible to people with protected characteristics.

Able to offer a service through the Welsh Language if requested.

Feed into the Family Court Pathfinder evaluation, collecting feedback and data as required by the Local Implementation Group, MoJ and both South Wales and Dyfed Powys PCCs.

Amcanion y Gwasanaeth

Rhaid i ymgeiswyr ddangos sut mae eu gwasanaeth yn bodloni amcanion allweddol canlynol model y Rhaglen Fraenaru.

 Cefnogi dull ymchwilio a datrys problemau sy'n integreiddio'r llys â gwasanaethau ehangach a all gefnogi teuluoedd.

Mabwysiadu dull amlasiantaeth o wella'r cydgysylltiad rhwng y Llysoedd Teulu ac asiantaethau, fel awdurdodau lleol a'r heddlu, a'r ffordd yr ymdrinir â honiadau o gam-drin domestig a risgiau eraill o niwed.

Gweithio gyda dioddefwyr cam-drin domestig a'u teuluoedd er mwyn eu cadw nhw a'u teuluoedd yn ddiogel.

Darparu gwybodaeth a chymorth eiriolaeth, emosiynol ac ymarferol cyn, yn ystod ac ar ôl gwrandawiadau, yn ogystal ag mewn perthynas ag opsiynau cyfreithiol, tai, iechyd a chyllid.

 Grymuso dioddefwyr a'u helpu i adnabod nodweddion a dynameg cam-drin domestig yn eu sefyllfa ac i adfer rheolaeth dros eu bywydau.

Ymrwymo i uwchsgilio pob gweithiwr proffesiynol mewn perthynas â cham-drin domestig a sicrhau gwell integreiddio â gwasanaethau cam-drin domestig lleol.

 Derbyn atgyfeiriadau gan asiantaethau ar gyfer unigolion sy'n rhan o achosion Llys Teulu pan fydd pryderon, honiadau a/neu dystiolaeth o gam-drin domestig.

 Meithrin cysylltiadau â Gwasanaeth Llysoedd a Thribiwnlysoedd Ei Fawrhydi a Cafcass Cymru er mwyn sicrhau llwybrau atgyfeirio a phrosesau rhannu gwybodaeth clir.

 Nodi ac asesu risgiau ac anghenion teuluoedd a atgyfeirir drwy'r Rhaglen Fraenaru y mae cam-drin domestig yn effeithio arnynt gan ddefnyddio rhestr wirio nodi risgiau (DASH) sy'n seiliedig ar dystiolaeth a darparu'r asesiadau i'r asiantaeth gwaith cymdeithasol sy'n atgyfeirio (Cafcass Cymru neu awdurdod lleol) o fewn yr amserlenni y cytunwyd arnynt.

 Meddu ar ymwybyddiaeth o lwybrau atgyfeirio at amrywiaeth o wasanaethau arbenigol fel ymyriadau cyflawnwyr cam-drin domestig, camddefnyddio sylweddau ac iechyd meddwl.

Cyfrannu at hyfforddiant amlddisgyblaethol a chymryd rhan ynddo, gan gynnwys hyfforddiant arbenigol ar gam-drin domestig.

 Ymwneud parhaus â grwpiau datblygu a gweithredu rhaglenni peilot.

Gwella llais y plentyn mewn achosion Llys Teulu.

Cefnogi dull sy'n canolbwyntio ar les y plentyn a gweithio'n agos gydag asiantaethau i hyrwyddo llais y plentyn.

 Cyfrannu at yr Adroddiad ar yr Effaith ar y Plentyn ar gais. Cafcass Cymru a/neu awdurdodau lleol sy'n gyfrifol am gwblhau'r adroddiad hwn ond gall gynnwys crynodeb o asesiad DASH y Cynghorydd Trais Domestig Annibynnol, y cytunwyd arno gyda'r parti sy'n oedolyn.

 Gweithio gyda phartneriaid fel bod modd ymgysylltu'n gynt â phlant o fewn achosion. Sicrhau y caiff eu llais, dymuniadau a theimladau eu clywed yn gynnar a'u bod wrth wraidd y broses.

Cefnogi ymgysylltu a meddu ar ddealltwriaeth o'r oedolion yn y system.

Canolbwyntio ar gau achosion yn dda. 

Cysylltu â theuluoedd ar ôl i'r gorchmynion terfynol gael eu gwneud a chynghori, cefnogi a chyfeirio yn ôl yr angen. Sicrhau diogelwch a lles dioddefwyr a'u plant.

Dangos ymrwymiad i ddarparu gwasanaeth hygyrch.

Parchu a gwerthfawrogi amrywiaeth y gymuned y mae'r gwasanaeth yn gweithio oddi mewn iddi a chydnabod anghenion a phryderon amrywiaeth eang o oroeswyr gan sicrhau bod y gwasanaeth yn hygyrch i bawb.

 Ymrwymo i sicrhau nad yw'r gwasanaeth yn wahaniaethol, sy'n cynnwys nodi rhwystrau i'r hawl mynediad ar gyfer grwpiau agored i niwed.

 Sicrhau bod y lleoliadau yn hygyrch i bobl sydd â nodweddion gwarchodedig.

 Gallu cynnig gwasanaeth drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg ar gais.

Cyfrannu at y gwaith o werthuso Rhaglen Fraenaru'r Llysoedd Teulu, gan gasglu adborth a data yn ôl yr angen gan y Grŵp Gweithredu Lleol, y Weinyddiaeth Gyfiawnder a Chomisiynwyr yr Heddlu a Throseddu De Cymru a Dyfed Powys.

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST SUBMISSION

Bidders are invited to submit an Expression of Interest to deliver the requirements outlined in this Service Specification. The Pathfinder launch date for Mid and West Wales will be the 3rd of March 2025. The awarded provider will need to work swiftly to have the service in place within this agreed timescale. The following timetable will be followed for Expression of Interest and Evaluation. Bidders are invited in their response to outline their proposed timescales for delivery. Please note that there will be an expectation that the successful service may need to attend Pathfinder pre-implementation development and have a presence on boards/groups ahead of the official launch date.

Expression of Interest Opens –  4th of December 2024

Expression of Interest Closes – 13th of January 2025

Evaluation Period – 1 week

Notification of Award – 1st of February 2025

Grant Agreement Signed – February 2025

Grant Period Starts – 3st of March 2025

CYFLWYNO DATGANIADAU MYNEGI DIDDORDEB

Gwahoddir cynigwyr i gyflwyno Datganiad Mynegi Diddordeb i fodloni'r gofynion a amlinellir yn y Fanyleb Gwasanaeth hon. Dyddiad lansio Rhaglen Fraenaru De-ddwyrain Cymru fydd 3 Mawrth 2025. Bydd angen i'r darparwr llwyddiannus weithio'n gyflym i roi'r gwasanaeth ar waith o fewn yr amserlen hon y cytunwyd arni. Dilynir yr amserlen ganlynol o ran Mynegi Diddordeb a Gwerthuso. Gwahoddir ymgeiswyr i amlinellu'r amserlenni cyflwyno a gynigir ganddynt yn eu hymateb. Noder y gall fod disgwyl i'r gwasanaeth llwyddiannus fynychu cyfarfodydd datblygu cyn gweithredu'r Rhaglen Fraenaru yn ogystal â byrddau/grwpiau cyn y dyddiad lansio swyddogol.

Dechrau'r Broses Mynegi Diddordeb – 4 Rhagfyr 2024

Diwedd y Broses Mynegi Diddordeb – 13 Ionawr 2025

Cyfnod Gwerthuso – 1 wythnos

Hysbysiad o'r dyfarniad – 1 Chwefror 2025

Llofnodi'r Cytundeb Grant – Chwefror 2025

Dechrau Cyfnod y Grant –  3 Mawrth 2025

Bidders are invited to submit an Expression of Interest to deliver the requirements outlined in this Service Specification. 

https://policeandcrimecommissionerforsouthwales.flexigrant.com/startapplication.aspx?id=14175

For any issues accessing Flexi-Grant please email: Joanna.markham@south-wales.police.uk   Gwahoddir cynigwyr i gyflwyno Datganiad Mynegi Diddordeb i fodloni'r gofynion a amlinellir yn y Fanyleb Gwasanaeth hon. 

https://policeandcrimecommissionerforsouthwales.flexigrant.com/startapplication.aspx?id=14175

Ar gyfer unrhyw faterion sy'n cael mynediad at Flexi-Grant e-bostiwch: Joanna.markham@heddlu-de-cymru.police.uk

As a minimum, the Pathfinder model requires domestic abuse support services to provide DASH assessments, and in-court IDVA support to those who need them.

Local discretion is given to those who wish to provide specific support to child victims of domestic abuse as part of the pathfinder model or refer them into existing support provision.

Local discretion can also be used if any bidders wish to provide additional services, such as, but not limited to, target hardening measures, toiletries, food vouchers, and coffee mornings for peer support.

The budget available for this service is £319,000 with a hope to extend to further the work and learning of the Pathfinder. Partnership bids will be encouraged where practical.

The length of the agreement will be for a 13-month period.

Fel gofyniad sylfaenol, mae model y Rhaglen Fraenaru yn ei gwneud yn ofynnol i ddarparwyr cymorth cam-drin domestig ddarparu asesiadau DASH a chymorth Cynghorydd Trais Domestig Annibynnol yn y llys i'r rheini sydd eu hangen.

Rhoddir disgresiwn lleol i'r rhai sy'n dymuno darparu cefnogaeth benodol i blant sy'n dioddef cam-drin domestig fel rhan o'r model braenaru neu eu cyfeirio at ddarpariaeth cymorth bresennol.

Gellir arfer disgresiwn lleol os bydd unrhyw gynigwyr yn dymuno darparu gwasanaethau ychwanegol, fel mesurau gwella diogelwch, nwyddau ymolchi, talebau bwyd a boreau coffi ar gyfer cymorth cymheiriaid, ymhlith pethau eraill.

Y gyllideb a fydd ar gael ar gyfer y gwasanaeth hwn yw £319,000, a'r gobaith yw y caiff ei ddefnyddio i ddatblygu gwaith a dysgu'r Rhaglen Fraenaru. Anogir cynigion partneriaeth lle bo hynny'n ymarferol.

Bydd y cytundeb yn weithredol am gyfnod o 13 mis.