Family Court Pathfinder: Independent Specialist Domestic Abuse Advocacy Support Service

The Family Court Pathfinder tender, initiated by The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, is focused on providing an Independent Specialist Domestic Abuse Advocacy Support Service within Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. This service contract aims to enhance outcomes for children and families in private law children cases, implementing a streamlined, multi-agency approach. The procurement process follows an open procedure under a special "lightTouch" regime and is classified within the "Social work and related services" category.

The contract, valued up to £1,090,935 including extensions, spans from 1st December 2025 to 31st March 2026, with possible extensions until 2029. The procurement stages have progressed from planning to tendering, finally resulting in a contract award on 2nd December 2025. This tender presents significant growth opportunities for businesses specialising in domestic abuse advocacy and related social services, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations, which were found to be suitable and actively participated in the bidding process.

With the focus on independent advocacy in family law proceedings, organisations with expertise in domestic abuse services are well-positioned to contribute to the reform pilot initiative. The alignment with governmental commitments to tackling violence against women and girls and supporting victim-survivors underscores an ongoing demand for innovative service providers capable of delivering effective and sensitive advocacy solutions within the Hampshire and Isle of Wight regions.