Raising the National Standard: Becoming the UK’s First Dual-Accredited SARC Provider

The Challenge

Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire SARCs needed to meet the rigorous standards set by the Forensic Regulator to achieve UKAS accreditation.

This was not a simple compliance exercise. Accreditation represents a recognised standard of safety, quality, and forensic integrity. Without it, there is a risk not just to service reputation, but to the consistency and trust placed in care at some of the most vulnerable moments in a survivor’s journey.

As national SARC provision continued to evolve, the pressure was clear. These services needed to demonstrate that every part of their operation, from clinical practice to documentation and governance, met the highest possible standard.

The Approach

Rather than treating accreditation as a checklist, teams across SARC, forensic, governance, quality, and operations came together to reshape how the service worked as a whole.

This meant aligning processes, evidence, and day-to-day practice with UKAS requirements. It also meant stepping back and asking where improvements were needed, not just to pass accreditation, but to genuinely raise standards.

There was a strong emphasis on collaboration. Different disciplines worked closely to ensure consistency across clinical delivery, documentation, coordination, and quality assurance.

That joined-up approach made a real difference. Instead of isolated improvements, the service moved forward as one, with a shared understanding of what “good” looks like and how to maintain it.

The Outcome

Mountain Healthcare became the first provider in the country to secure UKAS accreditation for both Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire SARCs.

That milestone matters. Not just internally, but across the wider sector. It strengthens national SARC provision and sets a clear benchmark for what high-quality, trauma-informed care should look like.

For the teams involved, it reflects a huge amount of work behind the scenes. The result is a service that is safer, more consistent, and better equipped to support survivors with confidence and care.

It also reinforces Mountain Healthcare’s position as a leader in this space, showing what is possible when standards, collaboration, and purpose all line up.