Local commissioning of victims’ services
From 1 October 2014, the majority of support services for victims will be provided at a local level by Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs).
This will replace the current model where the majority of services for victims are provided at a national level by government.
The transition process towards locally-provided services is currently underway.
Police and Crime Commissioners
The Ministry of Justice is keen to work closely with Police and Crime Commissioners to ensure there is a smooth transition to locally commissioned victims’ services.
Victims’ Services Commissioning Framework
The Victims’ Services Commissioning Framework provides information and advice for PCCs as commissioners of services for victims of crime.
Funding for homicide and peer support services
MOJ has extended funding for certain providers of homicide and peer support services until 30 September 2014, to ensure these services continue to be provided until local commissioning arrangements come in to force on the 1 October 2014.
See which organisations will be funded until 30 September 2014 to provide homicide and peer support services, which includes specialist counselling or peer support to families bereaved by homicide.
Victims’ Code
The Victims’ Code and associated public resources are now in force. Following feedback during the consultation, PCCs are listed as a service provider in the new Code and have a duty to publish the Victims Code on their websites.
Voluntary, Charity and Social Enterprise
The move towards locally commissioned services means that there will be new opportunities for organisations which provide victims’ services to bid to their local PCC for funding. This is in addition to the opportunity to bid for services nationally commissioned by the Ministry of Justice.
Capability and capacity building work
The Ministry of Justice have awarded Pulse Regeneration the contract to deliver workshops to help equip the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector with the skills to compete for and deliver local victims’ services. Pulse Regeneration is a specialist social enterprise and community regeneration consultancy. It has worked with organisations including the Local Government Association, Victim Support and Sheffield City Council.
The funding will be used to:
- Develop a self-assessment checklist for voluntary sector organisations; and
- Deliver skills and information workshops across England and Wales. Topics covered will include
- information bid management and negotiation,
- performance management
- understanding the principles of procurement.
More information about the workshop dates and how to sign up.
Commissioning process for the rape support fund 2014
The Ministry of Justice, in conjunction with the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC), are currently running a commissioning process to identify providers to run the rape support centres from 1 April 2014.
The MOJ are making £4m available in the new funding cycle and £1.26m per year will be available for London through MOPAC. This will be for 2 years funding with the option to extend for a further year.
Updates to this page
Last updated 20 December 2013 + show all updates
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Company awarded a contract for the delivery of workshops.
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First published.