Agenda item

The Panel considered a report of the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) which outlined the commissioning of relevant services by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC). The report related specifically to commissioned services delivered through contracts and not grant-funded services. A copy of the report, marked ‘Agenda Item 14’, is filed with these minutes.

In introducing the report, the OPCC stated that there were two errors in the table on page 83 of the report. It was noted that the table should have referred to Q1 2025/26 and that reference to 44% in the upper left of the table should have read 34%.

Arising from discussion the following points were raised:

(i).       In relation to Victim First, a free, independent and confidential service supporting victims and witnesses of crime, and the largest of the OPCC’s commissioned service, 1,833 positive victim contacts had been recorded during Quarter 3. This represented victims who had consented to engagement through the triage process. The Service achieved a satisfaction rate of 95.12%, measured through sample surveys undertaken at the beginning and end of service users' engagement. It was noted that 349 individuals felt better equipped to build resilience following support, and that 16 positive restorative justice outcomes had been achieved. Restorative justice cases often required lengthy intervention periods and that not all victims required extensive support, with some only seeking an initial discussion.

(ii).      The Panel were pleased that stakeholder feedback from partners and police colleagues showed that service improvements had led to processes becoming significantly easier to use. Areas for further development, particularly around consent processes, had been identified and would be incorporated into future service planning. Performance data also showed that 220 of 9,876 eligible victims had become repeat victims during the year, representing approximately 2.23%.

(iii).    With regards to Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (DASV) services, it was reported that 531 victims had subsequently been referred into wider support services, including mental health and housing support, while 160 referrals had been made to the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) process in order to ensure comprehensive support arrangements were in place.

(iv).    In response to a question asked, the OPCC stated that sexual violence services had received 748 referrals through more than 50 referral partners, with the largest referral sources being self-referrals, police referrals and the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC). It was noted that increasing delays in court proceedings continued to affect victims and support services. Feedback from some service users reflected dissatisfaction with delays in the criminal justice process rather than with the support provided. In order to address engagement issues, additional feedback channels including online submissions, telephone contact and WhatsApp messaging had been introduced.

(v).     With regards to Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) services. The Panel were informed that the current provider had withdrawn from the contract and that, following procurement activity, Mountain Healthcare had been appointed to deliver services from 1 October 2026. A comprehensive mobilisation and risk management plan was in place and progress was reported to be on track. It was noted that an innovative pilot project using the GoodSAM platform, would enable victims and survivors who did not attend a SARC to access crisis support and wraparound services directly via mobile phones. Positive interventions through the scheme had increased from 130 at the time of writing the report to over 180.

(vi).    Regarding substance misuse services, the OPCC reported that Home Office funding for Drug Testing on Arrest (DToA) had reduced significantly over a three-year period, which had contributed to declining performance. To address this, the PCC had committed £200,000 over the next two years to restore activity levels. It was anticipated that this would support both substance misuse interventions and reductions in acquisitive crime. It was noted that wider substance misuse services were delivered through Turning Point contracts commissioned by local authorities and therefore detailed local performance information would need to be obtained from public health teams.

(vii).   The Chairman welcomed the positive progress highlighted within the report, in particular the continued development of services supporting victims of rape and serious sexual offences. He referred to the Panel's Task and Finish Group which was focussing on rape outcomes for victims. He stated that work in this area would continue after some delay. He highlighted that concerns regarding delays within the court system reflected issues previously identified by the Panel and welcomed the enhanced support arrangements available to victims.

(viii).  A Panel member suggested that services supporting victims appeared fragmented across multiple organisations, including policing, housing, healthcare and local authorities and asked where strategic leadership for this work should sit. The OPCC acknowledged that better alignment between services was required and provided assurances that work was already underway with both city and county partners in order to review commissioning arrangements and improve service alignment from April 2027 onwards. The PCC had funded a pilot programme in Belgrave to develop community champions, enabling trusted individuals such as GP receptionists and school staff to identify and signpost victims effectively. It was noted that several prevention programmes, including the Speaking Honestly 2 Understand Sexual Harm (SHUSH) initiative for younger children, the Sexual Harm Awareness and Recognising Abuse (SHARA) programme for older teenagers. The OPCC was also undertaking work with colleges and education partners in order to address identified gaps in provision and to create a consistent evidence-based programme across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

(ix).    A question was asked in relation to a statement within the report that referred to a lack of forensic examination capability following the previous provider's withdrawal from SARC services, and whether this position would still apply following the appointment of the new provider. The OPCC confirmed that the issue had been resolved. Mountain Healthcare would provide the full range of forensic examination and crisis intervention services under the new contract. Independent Sexual Violence Advisers (ISVAs), Children's ISVAs and counselling partners would continue to operate alongside these services, ensuring that no gaps remained in service provision. The Panel received assurances that all required capabilities were now in place.

(x).     The Panel welcomed developments made with regards to services commissioned by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) but were concerned regarding the most appropriate long-term governance and strategic oversight arrangements for coordinating the range of organisations involved.

RESOLVED:

That the overview of the commissioning of relevant services by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), be noted.