Provision of Victim Services to Derbyshire

On the 1st of October 2014, the Office of Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) for Derbyshire took over responsibility from the Ministry of Justice for commissioning victims services.

The OPCC’s primary function in respect of victims is to deliver the Victims’ Code of Practice (VCOP) and work to implement the Police and Crime Plan for Derbyshire, promoting safer communities.

To achieve this, the OPCC determined to redefine his strategy and delivery model and has consulted widely with victims’ services stakeholders in Derbyshire who have mandated the OPCC to play an active part in commissioning services, monitoring outcomes and facilitating joint work amongst partners delivering support services for victims

The OPCC’s Victims’ Services Strategy and delivery model has now been reviewed and the Commissioner wishes to procure a service to deliver Generic support services to victims of 18 years and over that meet the requirements of the Ministry of Justice’s Code of Practice for Victims of Crime and the European Union Directive on Victims of Crime.

The vision and ambition is to reduce the number of victims and crimes over time, deliver positive outcomes for victims and communities, ensure equal access and increase the confidence and number of people coming forward for support and/or to report the crime to the police.

The future strategy will be a central victim’s service, to be known as Derbyshire CORE service. The generic provider will work jointly with the Restorative Justice and witness care services to coordinate and integrate their delivery of support to victims in a seamless way to facilitate through the criminal justice system.