1. PCCs: future commissioners of victims’ services Jacqui Fincham & Nadia Rosun Victims & Witnesses Ministry of Justice

2. Today’s presentation To set the scene and provide some context for the changes that will be made to the landscape for victims’ services To inform you of the changes that are ahead for victims’ services and how PCCs fit into this To provide information on how PCCs can prepare for their role in the commissioning of victims’ services

3. Background Consultation “Getting it right for victims and witnesses” published on 30 January Set out a number of principles underpinning the reforms including:  Practical and emotional support should be given to those who need it most  Victims should receive help as and when they need it  Services should meet the different need of communities across the country Proposed that there should be a mixed model of local and national commissioning for victims’ services with PCCs being the commissioner of victims’ services locally Local commissioning in line with the Government’s localism agenda

4. Why PCCs as commissioner of victims’ services? PCCs are part of the Government’s localism agenda – natural fit with local commissioning PCCs will seek views from the public on policing and have a duty to consult with victims of crime on their plans The victims’ commissioning role would further strengthen this link between PCCs and victims in their area PCCs will need to work collaboratively with other agencies – allows for close working with partners when commissioning victims’ services

5. Consultation period – criticisms of the proposed reforms Consultation lasted for 12 weeks In this time there was significant criticism of the local commissioning proposals particularly from Victim Support Victim Support claimed that local commissioning would lead to inconsistent, patchy services with differences in provision and quality of service around the country The Government resisted these claims; local commissioning will be responsive to the needs of the local community

6. Government response Over 350 responses to the consultation Most agreed with the principle of local commissioning but less convinced that PCCs should take on this role However the response confirmed that PCCs would be the commissioner of victims’ services (with national services such as homicide commissioned by MoJ) Other reforms include: confirmation that services should be assessed against two outcomes – cope & recover; the development of a commissioning framework to assist PCCs with commissioning victims’ services; support to be targeted at those who have suffered the greatest impact from crime including victims of serious crime, those persistently targeted and those most vulnerable

7. Expectations on PCCs Localism of course means that PCCs are free to make their own decisions PCCs may decide that they do not wish to commission any victims’ services or commission some very basic services – but MoJ has certain expectations of this key role that PCCs should be fulfilling in relation to victims’ services PCCs will need to be aware of the EU Directive on Victims  minimum standard of support and protection  support services must be available to victims

8. Preparing for commissioning victims’ services PCCs and their teams can do much to prepare for commissioning victims’ services: Find out what local provision currently exists – Victim Services Advocates reports Conduct needs assessment Victims’ Commissioning framework and APACE guidance on commissioning

9. Evidence and Practice Review To help both PCCs and service providers determine what are effective interventions, the MoJ commissioned an evidence and practice review Looks at a number of areas:  needs of victims of crime  effectiveness of support interventions  how to develop outcome measures  how outcomes can be measured  how service quality can be measured and assessed

10. Funding Central government currently spends £66million on victims’ services Looking at different formulas to allocate funding to each PCC area MoJ will inform PCCs of the amount of funding that they will receive to commission victims’ services in their area Funding will not be ring-fenced – so PCC could decide to divert funding for victims’ services elsewhere

11. Working in partnership PCCs have a statutory duty to work with local criminal justice agencies PCCs are encouraged to work with all local partners including new health and wellbeing boards Vital to work with organisations who deal with victims – service providers, voluntary, community, social enterprise sector and victims themselves Encourage cross-boundary working i.e. working with other forces to deliver regional services

12. In conclusion… PCCs have a good opportunity to commission the support that best meets the needs of their local community and makes the best use of available funding They will be accountable to the public for the decisions that they make The role of the PCC will enable partnership working which is essential for the commissioning of good quality services

13. QUESTIONS?