Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 33
33
Rejected
Paragraph: 114
Inadequate mandatory needs assessments hinder effective commissioning of victim support services
Conclusion
Commissioning of support services for victims works best when commissioners have an accurate understanding of need. As drafted, the Bill requires the authorities to consider any needs assessment they may have carried out in preparing the strategy. This needs to be strengthened to require the authorities to undertake the needs assessments identified in clause 6(4), and to do so before a strategy is developed. In making those assessments commissioners should be mindful of the potential for under-reporting in areas where there may be a lack of specialist representation, for example with respect to male victims of abuse, or LGBT+ and other victims with protected characteristics who may require support services.
Government Response Summary
The government rejected strengthening the Bill to require new needs assessments, arguing that existing processes and the Bill's current wording on using existing assessments are sufficient and new requirements would be duplicative. They will, however, consider how statutory guidance can support commissioners.
Paragraph Reference:
114
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
55. The Government recognises that needs assessments are vital in informing decisions on how to commission local services. These form an integral part of existing commissioning processes by each agency. The Bill aims to facilitate greater strategic coordination between PCCs, local authorities and ICBs where they support victims of domestic abuse, sexual violence and serious violence. However, ICBs and local authorities are responsible for commissioning a range of services which may benefit victims as part of a wider cohort, such as mental health support. This means that requiring specific needs assessments for delivery of services to victims of crime could result in duplicative activity. We therefore do not consider that changes are necessary. Instead, the Bill requires commissioners to use the information within existing needs assessments, so that relevant information can be sought and extracted within existing processes. It also already requires this to be done as part of preparing the strategy. We will consider how statutory guidance can support commissioning bodies in pointing to relevant considerations within needs assessments.