More victims of crime will be able to access support as Lancashire Victim Services looks to expand to help more people.



The service, set up by Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw in April 2015, expects to grow to receive more than 60,000 referrals in future years and is set to extend the support it offers to include domestic abuse and adult sexual abuse services.

A number of providers work together under the Lancashire Victim Services (LVS) brand and the Commissioner is looking to build on the success of the service so far. The current contract for providing the managed service comes to an end next year and experienced organisations are now being invited to tender for the new three-year contract.

The successful bidder will be expected to work with the Commissioner's office to raise awareness of LVS as well as the support available for victims of specific crime types, including domestic abuse, hate crime, human trafficking and fraud.

Mr Grunshaw said: "Since taking over responsibility for commissioning victim services in Lancashire, I have expanded the range of support available by involving a wider range of partners to help deliver the service.

"I am proud of the work we have done to develop the range of support available and Lancashire Victim Services will continue to provide that help and advice to anyone who has been affected crime. This is an opportunity to build on that success and ensure the service can adapt and grow to help even more people over the next three years.

"I remain committed to ensuring Lancashire reaps the economic, social and environmental benefits of any contracts awarded by my officer so I expect bidders to show how they will deliver that."

Since April 2015, PCCs have been responsible for commissioning victim services locally. The new contract, which is expected to start on April 1, 2017, will last for three years and have the option to extend for a further two years.

As part of the process, the Commissioner will ensure the contract benefits the local area by providing social value. This could be through supporting jobs and apprenticeships in Lancashire; ensuring workers are paid the Living Wage; helping local businesses compete for, and win, contracts; or buying equipment from ethical, local providers.

It comes as the Commissioner has agreed to take over the lead role in commissioning services for medium to high risk survivors of domestic abuse in the Lancashire County Council area, which will now come under this contract. The move aims to deliver a more efficient and effective service for people in Lancashire who have been affected by crime.

LVS gives victims access to advice, support and information in the way they need it. It does not matter when the crime was committed or if it was reported to the police.

Over the last 18 months, LVS has increased the range of services on offer in Lancashire. In the first year, 40,000 referrals made into LVS with around 8,500 people receiving long term or one-to-one support by case workers or volunteers. A similar number are expected to access the service this year.

The Commissioner took over responsibility for providing victim services in 2015 following a change in the way funding was allocated by the Ministry of Justice. Funding is provided directly to Police and Crime Commissioners solely for the purpose of providing support for victims of crime.

The tender documents are available to view on the Commissioner's website. Visit http://lancashire-pcc.gov.uk/victim-...es-commission/ for more details.

Victim Services Commission - lancashire-pcc.gov.uk
lancashire-pcc.gov.uk