CFAs: Improving Safeguarding for High-Risk Domestic Abuse (UK)

Contracts for Innovation Cymru is inviting innovative organisations to help South Wales Police and partners explore how safeguarding for high-risk domestic abuse could operate differently in the future. This Phase 1 Contracts for Innovation competition is outcome-focused and supports discovery, exploration, evidence generation, and concept development. Registration opens on 22 September 2026 and closes on 20 October 2026 at 12:00pm (time zone not specified in the source). This competition seeks innovative organisations to support South Wales Police and its partners to explore future approaches to safeguarding people assessed as being at the highest risk of serious harm or homicide due to domestic abuse. The challenge is grounded in the current use of the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) process, which brings organisations together to share information, assess risk, and coordinate actions. The opportunity recognises that the MARAC principles were developed over 20 years ago and that today’s safeguarding challenges may require a different approach. The challenge is focused on exploring how high-risk domestic abuse safeguarding could operate differently in the future. Applicants are encouraged to propose the approach they believe best addresses the challenge and demonstrates how their expertise can help develop a more responsive, coordinated, and sustainable safeguarding model for South Wales. The source indicates proposals should not assume technology alone is the answer. It welcomes combinations of approaches including: The competition highlights questions applicants may address, including: South Wales Police and partners report that more than 5,000 high-risk domestic abuse cases are managed annually across seven MARAC areas covering Cardiff, Vale of Glamorgan, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Merthyr Tydfil, Bridgend, Neath Port Talbot, and Swansea—equating to approximately 44% of MARAC demand for Wales. The challenge notes increasing demand and complexity, alongside concerns including: This competition is designed to support evidence generation and concept development toward a future safeguarding model that can improve responsiveness, coordination, and sustainability. Contracts for Innovation Cymru will hold an online applicant briefing (MS Teams) on Friday 2 October, 9:30am–1:00pm. The source indicates you should register for a briefing place via the “click here to register for a briefing place” link, but it does not provide the direct link. What is this competition for? It is for innovative organisations to help South Wales Police and partners explore how safeguarding for high-risk domestic abuse could operate differently in the future, beyond the traditional meeting-based MARAC model. How much funding is available? The award is up to £60,000 per project for up to 6 projects. Costs up to £60,000 will be 100% funded. Where can applicants be based? The opportunity lists Wales under Location. The source does not specify further geographic eligibility rules. Who can apply? The source states that any organisation can submit an application, and notes that opportunities may be particularly attractive for SMEs. When does registration close? Registration closes on 20 October 2026 at 12:00pm. The time zone is not specified in the source. Is this a technology-only competition? No. The challenge is intentionally outcome-focused and does not prescribe a specific technology, product type, or delivery model. Technology, data, and AI may be part of the solution, but wider service, governance, and operating model redesign are also expected. How do I apply? You should apply via the official “Find out more and apply” link on the Contracts for Innovation Cymru opportunity page. The source provided does not include the direct application link or a detailed document checklist. If you are an eligible organisation in Wales (or otherwise able to participate under the competition rules), review the official Contracts for Innovation Cymru opportunity page and the Phase 1 guidance for submission requirements. Then prepare a proposal that addresses the challenge outcomes and explains how your approach can support discovery, exploration, evidence generation, and concept development for future multi-agency safeguarding in South Wales.