VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Sexual Assault Referral Centres

Asked by Preet Kaur GillLabour (Co-op)Department of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 7 October 2024UIN 4404

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the performance of for-profit providers of sexual assault referral centres.

Answered by Andrew Gwynne

All Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) services are commissioned through an open and transparent procurement process. The quality of the service provision is a key consideration in any contract award


All SARC services are subject to Care Quality Commission regulations, and within NHS England, each region has a commissioning and contracting team that oversees all SARC contracts to ensure the performance and quality of the service provision meets National Health Service standards. From October 2025, SARC services will also be required to be accredited under forensic services regulations, which will provide an additional level of assurance.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim