Commissioning of victim support services
The information on this page and in the document below, sets out the OPCC's intentions with regard to the commissioning of support services for victims in Swindon and Wiltshire. The report provides a national and local context for the OPCC's proposals in order to seek views on the commissioning of support services for victims of crime and anti-social behaviour from April 2019.
The victim services commissioning documents are now available and can be found on the Bluelight Tendering Website.
The service or services commissioned as part of this exercise will include:
- Practical and emotional support for adult victims of any crime or ASB
- Practical and emotional support for young victims of any crime or ASB up to the age of 18 years
Support will be driven by the needs of the victim and not the type of crime
The support services commissioned as part of this approach will ensure that a minimum level of emotional support is available to all victims of crime and ASB, regardless of offence type. Support will be available to victims throughout the police force area. Support will be prioritised for the most vulnerable and those most at risk.
Continuity of Care
Support available to victims will be as seamless as possible, so that victims are not confused by the range of services, but are provided with appropriate support in a clear and well defined care and support pathway.
The Full Commissioning Cycle will be consultative
The OPCC seeks to adopt a consultative approach throughout the commissioning process, ensuring the views of providers victims and partners are used to inform the process.
Partnership Working
The victim services commissioned by the OPCC will be encouraged to work together as a network, sharing good practice, collaborating on projects and developing complimentary working practices. The OPCC will also work together with other commissioners to ensure the most efficient and effective victim services model.
Prevention and Early Intervention
All services commissioned by the OPCC will be encouraged to work in a preventative way where possible, identifying risks of re-victimisation and intervening to prevent the escalation of risk. All services will also be encouraged to work in a restorative way supporting victims' wishes where possible and engaging with the local Restorative Together partnership.
Efficient and Effective Services
The OPCC will seek to ensure value for money in the delivery of all commissioned services with high expectations around efficiency, effectiveness, and added social value. Services will take advantage of co-location opportunities with partners where possible.
Services commissioned will:
- Meet the support needs of victims or, as the case may be, family members
- Act in the interests of the victims or family members supportedBe free of charge to victims
- Be confidential
- Be non-discriminatory (including being available to all regardless of residence, nationality or citizenship)
- Be available whether or not a crime has been reported to the police
- Be available before, during and for an appropriate time after any investigation or criminal proceedings
After reading the commissioning intention document, the OPCC would welcome feedback on the following questions:
- Should Services 1 and 2 as detailed in the commissioning document, be procured as separate lots, do you have any views on on this or any alternative suggestions?
- If you think that the OPCC should commission additional services to support victims of crime and anti-social behaviour, what would they be?
Please email your responses to [email protected] with 'COMMISSIONING OF VICTIM SUPPORT SERVICES' in the title field.
| June / July / August 2018 | Engagement |
| July 2018 | Commissioning Plans Published |
| August 2018 | Develop and finalise specifications and tender documents |
| September 2018 | Tender issued |
| October 2018 | Submission of tender responses |
| November 2018 | Evaluation |
| December 2018 | Award and contract finalisation |
| January - March 2019 | Implementation |
| April 2019 | Service(s) commence |