DFS - Emma Caldwell Public Inquiry - Support and Counselling Service

The Scottish Ministers require a professional psychological first aid and counselling service on behalf of the Emma Caldwell Inquiry (“ECI” or the “Inquiry”). The Inquiry will take witness statements at an early stage and lead oral evidence at its hearings venue which will be broadcast via its website and YouTube channel. During the witness statement taking phase, at Public Hearings and at all other stages, the Inquiry requires psychological first aid and counselling services to be available in order to support those providing evidence. The appointed Service Provider must have the necessary experience, ability, capacity, and resilience to perform the services described in this specification. The Service Provider will make available to any witnesses of the Inquiry psychological first aid, support and counselling as required at the following stages: - Witness statement taking - Provision of psychological first aid/counselling services either online or in person available to any witness who requires support in anticipation of, and following, their statement taking by a specialist member of the Inquiry team. - Hearings - Daily onsite psychological first aid/counselling services during hearings, ensuring consistency of counsellor for the duration of each individual witness’s attendance. On-site Counsellors will be required to be available throughout the duration of the hearing day particularly during all breaks in hearings, as well as before and after hearings. - Post-hearing - availability of telephone or online consult and appointment system for the day following conclusion of evidence at a hearing. - Aftercare for witnesses, consisting of a set number of sessions following the completion of their evidence, where required. This will ideally be located within contractors offices in central Glasgow.