Kier Places delivered the refurbishment of a new facility which will host critical services for an adult SARC and Child Sexual Assault Assessment Services (CSAAS) for North Yorkshire. The new centre includes dedicated, modern facilities to support the needs of victims of rape and sexual assault, both inside and outside the criminal justice system, and in their recovery and healing.
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forensic exam suites
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video monitoring interview units
"We are delighted to see the opening of Acer House. The new facilities will provide a much-improved environment for victims of rape and sexual assault during one of the darkest times in their life. It is also extremely positive news in terms of the impact on our investigations, providing us with additional capability to gather evidence.
Every day we see the impact on victims and survivors of sexual crimes and how difficult it is to come forward and report what has happened. I hope the new centre, that has been designed with victims and survivors at its very heart, will give more people the confidence to come forward and report has happened to them. Even if they do not want to speak to the police, they can contact Acer House direct to access services and support to help recover and rebuild their lives."
Assistant Chief Constable Catherine Clarke, North Yorkshire Police
Design solutions
We worked collaboratively with the customer (North Yorkshire Police) to ensure the safety and comfort of victims was considered throughout the project. The design process, led by the customer, was completed in consultation with victims and staff, and incorporated into Kier’s delivery phase.
Considerations included suitable spaces for children, comfortable and suitable private waiting rooms, and soft furnishings/interiors. The externals of the centre are also designed to make it distinct from a hospital or police setting, with the victims at the heart of all decision making.
Quality assurance
Given the critical services provided by the SARC clinic (including storing and gathering of legal documentation, physical evidence, and data), it needs to be able to remain operational at all times. To meet these needs, delivering a completed project of the highest quality was vital. We achieved this with minimal impact on programme and costing through consistent, and transparent communication, and an effective quality management plan, ensuring the facility is consistently fit for purpose.
A collaborative approach
We worked collaboratively with stakeholders from preconstruction to deliver cost savings without compromising on quality. Our M&E subcontractors worked with the customer to redesign the mechanical installation, due to space restrictions making the original design not achievable. Our subcontractors proposed alternative products and installation design which met specification requirements and minimised the impact on programme and budget.
"Throughout the project, we collaborated closely with our Construction Framework partner, Kier Places to ensure greater efficiency, value for money, but most importantly that users would benefit from a high-quality purpose-built space. It is great to see the centre now complete and we are proud to have supported the refurbishment of this vital community facility, enabling it to be a place of safety and care for years to come."Mark Robinson, Group Chief Executive at SCAPE
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