Family Court Pathfinder IDVA

The Police and Crime Commissioners for West Midlands and West Mercia are inviting proposals from delivery partners or consortia to facilitate Domestic Abuse (DA) support services within the Wolverhampton and Worcester Family Courts, focusing on private law proceedings. Both individual and consortium bids are welcome. Further information and full Specification are available here: https://www.westmidlands-pcc.gov.uk/funding/grants-and-contracts/ Please use the application form linked in 'how to apply' or on the OPCC website please DONT submit applications via the button below.

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Contents

Summary

Full specification and application information is available here:

Grants and Contracts - West Midlands Police & Crime Commissioner (westmidlands-pcc.gov.uk)

Eligibility

It is a requirement of the grant that bidders must prioritise Pathfinder’s core services of undertaking Domestic Abuse, Stalking, Harassment and ‘Honour-Based’ Violence (DASH) assessments with victim-survivors referred to them by Cafcass and provide in-court independent specialist advocacy and support to those who need it. Provided this core service can be ensured and fully continued throughout the lifetime of the grant, local discretion can be applied in terms of any additional services the domestic abuse support services may choose to provide in order to further support Pathfinder’s aim. These may include, but are not limited to:

• Provision of children’s IDVAs (ChIDVAs)

• Provision of child-focussed support services e.g. play therapy, art therapy

• Essential safety measures

• Emergency provisions related to family court proceedings

Objectives

Pathfinder/IDAC (Integrated Domestic Abuse Courts), are an innovative approach to private law proceedings in family courts which brings in domestic abuse (DA) agencies to work alongside His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS) and Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) to provide crucial support to children and families at an earlier point in proceedings.

Dates

Timeline

Milestone

22nd July 2025

Competitive process opens

4th August 2025

Deadline for clarification questions

1st September 2025

Competitive process closes 9am

W/C 8th September 2025

Evaluation moderation

W/C 15th September 2025

Award Notification

TBC

Training

11th November 2025

Pathfinder Court to Commence

Supporting information

Please refer to the Websites for detailed information and to download the specification;

Grants and Contracts - West Midlands Police & Crime Commissioner (westmidlands-pcc.gov.uk)

Clarification Questions should be directed to ;

commissioning@westmidlands.police.uk for questions about delivery in the Wolverhampton Court Area

grants@westmercia.police.uk for questions about delivery in the Worcester Court Area

By 4th August 2025