How to apply for the new Sensitive Claims Service contract

What is the Sensitive Claims Service?

The Sensitive Claims Service began on 1 December 2024, replacing the Integrated Services for Sensitive Claims (ISSC). Through the Sensitive Claims Service, we provide fully funded support, treatment and assessment services for survivors of sexual abuse or assault.  

The new contract has a term of 3 years, 7 months, and one right of renewal of 2 years.

Who can deliver services?

Suppliers

The Sensitive Claims Service contract owner who has overall responsibility and accountability for services delivered to kiritaki (clients). Suppliers are responsible for all personnel, named service providers and service providers that sub-contract to them, and for updating records and any reporting requirements outlined in the contract. 

Named service providers

Provider who delivers counselling services, as defined by the Accident Insurance (“Counsellor”) Regulations Act 1999, that must be approved and named on the Sensitive Claims Service contract. This applies to the following professions: psychiatrists, psychologists, psychotherapists, counsellors, and social workers delivering counselling services. 

Service providers

Other professions who provide non-counselling services can also deliver services to our kiritaki. They include registered nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, dietitians, speech language therapists, and social workers.

There are separate application processes for each of these roles.

How to apply as a named service provider 

To deliver services to our kiritaki, you must apply and be approved by us and named on a supplier’s contract prior to delivering services. This applies to all professions considered as named service providers:  counsellor, psychotherapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, or a social worker planning on delivering counselling services under the contract.  The named service provider application is now closed and will reopen on 3 February 2025.  

Requirements for service providers delivering non-counselling services  

If you’re a registered nurse, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, dietitian, speech language therapist, or a social worker, you do not need to complete the named service provider application form. However, if you want to deliver services to kiritaki under the Sensitive Claims Service contract, you will need to register with us to obtain a provider ID. If you already have an ACC Provider ID, you do not need to reapply.  

Complete the registration form

Further support 

Support to complete the named service provider application  

To be approved as a named service provider, you must meet the requirements of the Sensitive Claims Service contract. You can find the full requirements in the Service Schedule 

The evidence and information required in the application will depend on the profession of the applicant, as well as the services they are applying to deliver. Below is guidance to help applicants prepare the relevant information.   

Provisional named service providers  

• Evidence of minimum Level 6 NZQA recognised qualification, with a focus on: (For all professions except clinical psychologists and psychiatrists) 
  • Basic assessment skills
  • Therapeutic intervention skills 
  • Abnormal psychology
  • Skills in two or more therapy models
  • Human development
  • Family dynamics
• Evidence of Annual Practicing Certificate (APC) and interim/ full membership to relevant professional bodies as per the Service Schedule for the Sensitive Claims Service.
• CV with clear evidence of at least 12-months experience post qualification in mental health settings and experience working with survivors of sexual abuse and assault with this experience having been obtained or maintained in the last five years.
• Written agreement with a supervisor who must be an approved Sensitive Claims Service named service provider. You will need to provide the supervisor’s ACC provider ID.   

Named Service Providers 

• Evidence of minimum Level 6 NZQA recognised qualification, with a focus on: For all professions except clinical psychologists and psychiatrists) 
  • Abnormal psychology
  • Skills in two or more therapy models of therapeutic intervention
  • Human development
  • Basic assessment skills
  • Therapeutic intervention skill
  • Family dynamics.   
• Evidence of Annual Practicing Certificate (APC) and full membership to relevant professional bodies as per the Service Schedule for the Sensitive Claims Service. 
• CV with clear evidence of at least 2 years’ experience post qualification in mental health settings and experience working with survivors of sexual abuse and assault with this experience having been obtained or maintained in the last five years. 
• Confirmation of a supervisor who meets the requirements of your professional body (note a copy of their APC is required).   

Specialist Cover Assessment  

• Evidence of minimum Level 8 NZQA recognised qualification, with a focus on (For all professions except clinical psychologists and psychiatrists):
  • Assessment, classification, and clinical formulation
  • Abnormal psychology
  • Skills in two or more models of therapeutic intervention
  • Human development
  • Knowledge and skills in the use of psychometric tools (if using psychometrics). 
• Evidence of Annual Practicing Certificate (APC) and full membership to relevant bodies as per Service Schedule for the Sensitive Claims Service  
• CV with evidence of minimum 2-years’ experience post qualification in mental health settings and experience working with survivors of sexual abuse and assault with this experience having been obtained or maintained in the last five years  

Function Assessment  

Function Assessments can be delivered by clinical psychologists and psychiatrists only.  

• Confirmation that the provider has already been approved as a named service provider delivering Specialist Cover Assessments  
• (Clinical psychologists only) Confirmation that the provider has completed at least 10 specialist cover assessments (previously referred to as supported assessments) and over what time period these assessments have been completed 
• (Clinical psychologists only) Confirmation of a supervisor who is a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist who is currently approved to undertake function or incapacity assessments for ACC (this may be in addition to your regular supervisor and specific to function assessments only). Please provide the supervisor’s ACC provider ID. 
• A letter from your function assessment supervisor to confirm:   
  • they have undertaken incapacity/ function assessments  
  • the number of incapacity/ function assessments they have completed and over what time period 
  • they agree to supervise you in function assessments. 

Past support