A MANAGED SERVICE IN RESPECT OF VICTIM REFERRAL AND ASSESSMENT AND THE PROVISION OR CO-ORDINATION OF SPECIALIST SUPPORT SERVICES

Experienced organisations are invited to tender for the provision of a managed service (under the Lancashire Victim Services brand), in respect of victim referral and assessment and the provision or co-ordination of specialist support services to the Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire. The contract will commence on 1st April 2017(or as soon as possible thereafter) for a period of 3 years, with an option to extend for up to a further 2 years.

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire is the sole Contracting Authority though anticipates being supported by funding contributions from other local public authorities (including Lancashire County Council, Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen Councils) in respect of domestic abuse and rape and sexual assault services. Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC) have responsibility for the commissioning of services to provide information, advice and support for victims of crime.

The PCC's Police and Crime Plan identifies a clear set of priorities to support victims of crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB) and to protect and support vulnerable people. This provision of support services for victims of crime and ASB complements other initiatives from the PCC to provide resources for services for victims of Domestic Abuse and Child Sexual Exploitation as well as initiatives to reduce offending and re-offending.

The current service provision is based on an estimate of 41,000 referrals into the general victim service in 2016/17 and a further 20,000 Domestic Abuse victims referred from the Constabulary or the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH). It is also anticipated that the level of self-referrals will increase as referral routes are made more accessible and in line with increased awareness raising.