Thames Valley - Solace Centre Sexual Assault Referral Centre, BICESTER Relocation
Background
There are two SARC services in the Thames Valley. The current premises are:
the Solace Centre, Police House, Queens Ave, Bicester OX26 2NR,and
the Solace Centre, Upton Hospital, Church Street, Slough SL1 2BJ
This survey focuses on the SARC premises at the Solace Centre, Bicester, Oxfordshire.
Assessment of current premises
Recently the NHS undertook a review of south east SARC services was undertaken to ensure that they are fit for for purpose in terms of capacity and the assess what work / upgrades are required to meet new forensic standards and UKAS accreditation standards.
These new UKAS standards come into effect in October 2025. They include improvements to quality management systems, staff competency, forensic processes, and new accommodation and facilities standards to ensure the integrity of evidence.
The review of the current premises in Slough found that it was not suitable for future SARC needs and not suitable for alteration.
Alternative premises
Several alternative premises in Maidenhead were identified as being potentially suitable, based on criteria that the new facility is:
in proximity of Thames Valley police’s operational teams
within the travel time indicators for the main Thames Valley population centres, to ensure local health needs are met
Following assessments of these premises, Network House, First Floor, Rowles Way, Kidlington OX5 1LH was found to be the only suitable location.
The proposed premises in Kidlington is 10 miles (16km) from the existing Bicester SARC and is typically 23 minutes travel time away.
Kidlington is very well served by buses linking it with a frequent service to Oxford. Two bus companies provide a very high frequency bus service to Oxford, with up to 24 services per hour for much of the day, and eight buses per hour during the evening, with some buses as late as 0300 at the weekend. There are also some local services to surrounding villages.
Oxford Parkway, at Water Eaton, is the nearest train station.
Background
There are two SARC services in the Thames Valley. The current premises are:
the Solace Centre, Police House, Queens Ave, Bicester OX26 2NR,and
the Solace Centre, Upton Hospital, Church Street, Slough SL1 2BJ
This survey focuses on the SARC premises at the Solace Centre, Bicester, Oxfordshire.
Assessment of current premises
Recently the NHS undertook a review of south east SARC services was undertaken to ensure that they are fit for for purpose in terms of capacity and the assess what work / upgrades are required to meet new forensic standards and UKAS accreditation standards.
These new UKAS standards come into effect in October 2025. They include improvements to quality management systems, staff competency, forensic processes, and new accommodation and facilities standards to ensure the integrity of evidence.
The review of the current premises in Slough found that it was not suitable for future SARC needs and not suitable for alteration.
Alternative premises
Several alternative premises in Maidenhead were identified as being potentially suitable, based on criteria that the new facility is:
in proximity of Thames Valley police’s operational teams
within the travel time indicators for the main Thames Valley population centres, to ensure local health needs are met
Following assessments of these premises, Network House, First Floor, Rowles Way, Kidlington OX5 1LH was found to be the only suitable location.
The proposed premises in Kidlington is 10 miles (16km) from the existing Bicester SARC and is typically 23 minutes travel time away.
Kidlington is very well served by buses linking it with a frequent service to Oxford. Two bus companies provide a very high frequency bus service to Oxford, with up to 24 services per hour for much of the day, and eight buses per hour during the evening, with some buses as late as 0300 at the weekend. There are also some local services to surrounding villages.
Oxford Parkway, at Water Eaton, is the nearest train station.
