In December 2025, the government launched the Strategic Commissioning Fund.
This was to support OPCCs to strengthen their commissioning practices and improve the capacity and/or resilience of commissioned victim support services.
The fund was a one-off payment of up to £40,000 which must be spent by 31 March 2026.
Cleveland OPCC successfully bid for funding to support three separate projects.
1. Communications campaign to increase awareness of victim support service (Safer Communities’ Victim Care and Advice Service (VCAS)
Silver Lining Animation Ltd and Safer Communities were awarded £10,000 for the following:
- An animation focusing on the services and support which victims of Hate Crime can receive from VCAS
- The creation and use of attractive crime specific materials that can be used to promote the Safer Communities VCAS service in accessible and high-crime locations
- Promotional materials to raise awareness of the service and support available
- Targeted social media advertising based on data collected through the exercise referred to above.
2. Power BI and Microsoft Excel staff training
Four Square was awarded £5,000 to upskill Cleveland OPCC team around the development and use of Microsoft Excel and Power BI.
This will enable the team to have confidence in creating victim services data dashboards.
In turn, this will support and strengthen contract and performance arrangements, enabling greater oversight, scrutiny and comparison of service data.
This will support future reporting and decision making.
3. Development work to inform a Lived Experience Victims Panel
Middlesbrough Voluntary Development Agency was awarded £25,000 to reach and understand the needs and views of victims, who do not engage with traditional organisations or victim services.
A provider will be commissioned to identify participants, provide support and develop a Lived Experience Victims Panel.
This will ensure the victims’ voice in local commissioning, policy work and decision-making, where victim experience is impacted, is more representative
DRF 2025 2026 – 029: Ministry of Justice (MoJ) Strategic Commissioning Fund (application, 168kB)