Victim Services on-going contracts

 

Victim Support

Victim Support are commissioned to deliver the countywide Victim’s Advocacy and Support Service. The service is available to all victims of recorded crime who are resident in Kent and Medway, including children and young people regardless of when the crime took place or if it has been reported to the Police. If reported to the Police support must be available at all stages of the criminal justice process and beyond. If not reported to the Police, the service must be accessible and available at the point the victim wishes to seek support. The support also extends to close relatives of victims, particularly those aged 18 years and under.

 

This is a 4 year contract which commences on 1 April 2023 at a cost of £964,410.56 for 2023-2024.

 

The service providers emotional support, safety planning / advice or support with safety measures, information, signposting or referral to specialists services and practical advice / information / guidance. It also provides specialist advocacy support for stalking and hate crime.

If you've been a victim of crime in Kent, you can get help and support from the Kent Victim Support team on 0808 168 9276

 

Family Matters

Family Matters are commissioned to deliver the Independent Sexual Violence Advisers (ISVA) and Child Independent Sexual Violence Advisers (CISVA) and Sexual Violence (SV) Support Services countywide. This service provides a deliver trauma informed, needs led approaches and is provided regardless of whether the crime has been reported to the Police. Support is entirely independent from the criminal justice system (CJS). Types of support provided include, emotional support, practical support, coping strategies, advice and support on safety measures, impartial information on the CJS, referral to specialist services, guidance on speaking to close relatives / support network, support to close relatives, which includes guidance for parents and carers and age appropriate support for children and young people.

 

The contract award was for 3 years commencing on 1 April 2022, the 2023-2024 costs of the service are £449,170.

 

Restorative Solutions

Restorative Solutions are commissioned to deliver a trauma informed, Restorative Justice and Mediation Service to cover the county of Kent. This service is needs and risk led and is accessible to all victims of recorded crime  who are resident in Kent, regardless of when the crime(s) took place.

This service consists of the following elements,

• Direct, indirect, and informal Restorative Justice interventions.
• Adolescent to parent violence and conflict interventions.
• Mediation processes for repeat and persistent neighbour and community based anti-social behaviour (ASB) and crime issues.

 

This is a 4 year contract commencing on 1 October 2023. The first year costs (from 1 October 2023 to 30 September 2024) are £369,970.

You can get more information about the service by visiting our local RJ website. You can also get information by calling freephone 0800 783 1583. 

 

My Support Space

My Support Space is an online resource designed by Victim Support to help you manage the impact that crime has had on you. It contains interactive guides to read through at your own pace. 

It is also available for those supporting someone after they’ve experienced crime or trauma, for example friends, family members, colleagues or neighbours. 

Compass House

Compass House is a facility in Kent which provides and coordinates services for victims and witnesses of crime. 

Among the staff working at Compass House are teams from the Victim Support charity and the Kent Police Witness Care Unit.

The long-term aim is that Compass House will provide integrated services to victims and witnesses of crime, which includes help, advice and support to improve the experience of going through the criminal justice system, in partnership with agencies across the county.