Catch22’s Victim First service, commissioned by Police and Crime Commissioner Lord Willy Bach, is today being awarded the Quality Mark from Supporting Justice.
The free and confidential service supports victims and witnesses of crime across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, whether or not a crime has been reported.
To achieve the Quality Mark standard, services must demonstrate they meet all quality and performance indicators during the assessments, site visits, and through submitted evidence. Victim First case workers, service users and partner organisations were interviewed as part of the process.
In the assessment report, Supporting Justice highlighted the “highly committed” caseworkers, the effective management, and the “tangible sense of enthusiasm and commitment” to helping victims.
Catch22 Director of Justice, Lisa Smitherman says the award recognises the commitment of Victim First:
“The Quality Mark gives victims and witnesses the assurance of the high-quality support they will receive and gives commissioners the confidence that local victims are being supported by the very best service.
“Victim First has made an exceptional effort to focus the service on meeting the specific needs of all the communities it is supporting.”
Leicestershire Police and Crime Commissioner, Lord Willy Bach, says the award is also hugely beneficial to the service itself, highlighting the work of its dedicated caseworkers:
“I am pleased that Victim First has been accredited with the Quality Mark, demonstrating its exceptional standards of victim care. Earning a place in this quality framework is not only good news for the caseworkers and volunteers at the forefront of victim services in Leicestershire but also victims of crime who can be assured their needs and welfare will be met by the highest level of support.”
Manjeeta Sunnar, Head of Service for Victim First, says:
“Every team member is passionate about providing the best support they can to our community and this shone through during the whole process. It has made us feel more confident and positive about what we do at Victim First.
“Even though we are proud of what we have achieved, we are constantly learning new ways to improve ourselves and will keep doing this to make Victim First even better.”
Catch22 and Victim First have been taking care of victims and witnesses in the region since 2015. Catch22 also delivers victims services across Nottinghamshire and Hertfordshire and, last year, collectively supported more than 20,000 victims or witnesses of crime.
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For media enquiries and interview requests, please contact:
Josie Cochrane:
Email: josie.cochrane@Catch-22.org.uk
Phone: 07506 370794
About Catch22:
Catch22 has been designing and delivering services for over 200 years, that build resilience and aspiration in people and communities. Catch22 and Victim First have been taking care of victims and witnesses in the Leicestershire region since 2015. Catch22 also delivers victims services across Nottinghamshire and Hertfordshire and last year, Catch22 supported more than 20,000 victims or witnesses of crime.
Posted on Friday 21st February 2020