Decision details

The reasons for the decision are:

The Victim Service Coordinators and Lead role were introduced in Sept 2017, as a pivotal element of the victims of crime assessment and referral Model. They are employed by GMP and fully funded by GMCA. The team are led by the GMP Victim Services Strategic Lead and are responsible for the leadership and oversight of the victim services work at a divisional level, to improve partnership working and align services more effectively to improve pathways for victims.

Following the ongoing review of victim services across Greater Manchester which commenced in 2019/2020, a number of key successes and key challenges / opportunities for the Victims Service Coordinators were identified. This is currently being used to scope options for a redesign of the service, which can be worked into a practical delivery model. Whilst this work is undertaken, an extension of the current service is required to continue key support, this is in line with extensions to the Victim Support Victim referral Assessment centre until 30th June 2023.

The continuation of the Victim Services Coordinators service over this 3 month duration will also allow consistency of support whilst the newly commissioned co-located victims multi-crime service is put in place this summer.

The decision is that:

To extend the funding of the GMP Victim Services Transformation Lead role and 11 Victim Services Coordinators posts, for a further 3 months from 1st April 2023 to June 30th 2023.

Total funding to be approved is for the Victim Services Transformation Lead role and the 11 Victim Services Coordinators is £145,500. The cost of extending the Victim Services Coordinators and Lead role from 1st December 2022 to 31st March 2023 are as follows:

• Victim Services Coordinators x 11 = £130,000
• Victim Services Lead - £ 15,500

TOTAL: £145,500 (3 months)

The extension of the posts will be funded via the annual MOJ Victims Budget allocation for 23/24.