ES0128-2 - DNA and Drug & Alcohol Testing

Wiltshire Council children's social care services needs the ability to purchase Forensic Testing Services from suitably skilled and experienced companies. These tests include DNA and drug and alcohol tests, usually in legal proceedings cases.

DNA testing is primarily required to establish paternity when exploring safe and appropriate care options for children and young people within the child protection system.

Drug and alcohol testing is used to support operational social care to establish whether a child or young person's caring environment is safe and meeting their physical and emotional needs.

The quality of tests conducted may have a material impact on the outcome of care proceedings cases. Therefore, it is vital that Wiltshire Council has in place a contract or contracts to ensure robust processes and effective quality assurance for all forensic tests.