Leicestershire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Lord Willy Bach has announced the relaunch of specialist services to improve support to victims of crime across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR).
The PCC has recommissioned social business Catch22 to deliver his new-look Victim First services following a robust re-tendering process.
The new contract, which began on 1 August, will initially run for three years and bring sweeping improvements to the way victims are supported in the aftermath of a crime ensuring help is available from within the community.
As well as new opening hours to improve flexibility, the new service will see staff working at police and partner premises across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland to deliver face-to-face support and increase accessibility.
In addition, from December 2018, a new web-chat facility will be available to enable victims to ask any initial questions or queries they may have and/or receive the full support package at the click of a button as well as via traditional means such as phone or face-to-face.
Meanwhile, young victims will be provided with access to a dedicated young person’s caseworker as well as the provision of appropriate group support and youth-specific advice.
Announcing the new contract, Willy Bach said: “Helping victims of crime to recover is one of my top priorities and this new-look Victim First service will ensure support is available how, where and when people would like to access it.
“There will be a much stronger focus on community-based help and support will be available for however long it is required, regardless of whether crimes are reported to the police or result in prosecution.
“Not every victim of crime is ready or willing to accept help which is why we’ve ensured our services can be accessed at any point along the recovery journey. Support will be offered without conditions and at the earliest opportunity.
“We’ve worked closely with people across the entire area and wider stakeholders to improve this service to better respond to the individual needs of victims. I’m very much looking forward to working with Catch22 once again to deliver my ambitions to establish LLR as a beacon of success when it comes to effective and compassionate victim care.”
“Catch22 is delighted to be working with Lord Bach again, and to continue helping victims across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland to cope and recover from crime with the new-look Victim First Service. The stronger focus on community based support, engaging children and young people and the creation of online tools will all make Victim First accessible when and where people need it most. Victim First was Catch22’s first victims service, and we’re really proud of what it’s achieved. Our team are excited to build on their three years of hard work and continue supporting communities and individuals across the region.” Peter Jones, Director of Social Justice and Rehabilitation, Catch22
The Victim First service initially launched in October 2015 and is recognised across the LLR area.
The new contract is worth £1,638,741 and will initially run until the end of July 2021.
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About Catch22
Catch22 is a social business, a not for profit business with a social mission. For over 200 years we have designed and delivered services that build resilience and aspiration in people and communities.
Our 1600 colleagues work at every stage of the social welfare cycle, supporting 30,000 individuals from cradle to career. Today we deliver children’s social care, alternative education, apprenticeships and employability programmes, justice and rehabilitation services (in prisons and in the community), gangs intervention work, emotional wellbeing and substance misuse programmes.
For more information, please visit www.catch-22.org.uk or find us on Twitter @Catch22.
Media Enquiries: Sallie Blair - 01283 821012 / 07702 541401
Posted on Monday 13th August 2018