The Victims Referral Service has been provided in Cleveland and Durham via grant arrangements through the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) prior to 2015.
For 2015/16, services were provided via a grant agreement jointly between the two PCCs.
This service has been provided by Victim Support for many years and their support has been very much appreciated.
In 2015/16, Durham and Cleveland PCCs agreed that it would be appropriate to test the market. This was in order to make sure that the PCCs achieved maximum value for money.
It was also done at the same time as defining a revised specification to achieve optimum service for victims.
This decision was taken due to changing legislation for victims, the changing environment for the provision of services and increasing service providers.
Contract Award
Following a robust procurement exercise, Safe in Tees Valley was awarded the contract in December 2015.
It became apparent that there were many specialist services providers in Cleveland, who delivered services to victims of domestic abuse.
It was felt that domestic abuse victims should be supported by specialist agencies. Those agencies have the in-depth experience of working with such clients and understand their needs.
Therefore, the victims’ contract excluded domestic and Sexual Abuse victims’ services.
Work is now taking place with Safe in Tees Valley and its Victim Care and Advice Service (VCAS) to develop a pilot project. The project aims to ensure all victims of domestic abuse are referred to specialist support services if they wish.
The pilot also aims to make sure no victims ‘slip through the net’ and all victims – regardless of their risk status – are offered a service.
A number of reviews are currently ongoing in Cleveland Police including in the Protecting Vulnerable People Unit (PVP).
This team and the Business Transformation Unit (BTU) will discuss any suggested pilot.
The BTU is leading on the implementation of changes. This is to make sure there is no duplication and that proposals compliment what is already delivered.
Decision 64. Domestic Abuse Victim Referral Service pilot (application, 245kB)