Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 37
37
Accepted
Paragraph: 126
Mandatory guidance needed for ISVA and IDVA roles, training, and qualifications criteria
Conclusion
Clause 9(3) states that the guidance may include provision on the role, functions and appropriate training and qualifications of an ISVA and IDVA. We find no reason why it should not be required to do so. If a role is to be recognised in statute it is not unreasonable to suggest the criteria defining that role be also set out, not least if people performing that function are to have consequent rights such as being allowed to support complainants in court. The Ministry of Justice will also need to clarify how any guidance produced with respect to ISVAs corresponds to existing guidance published by the Home Office.
Government Response Summary
The government accepted the recommendation to change the Bill to require guidance on the role, functions, training, and qualifications of ISVAs and IDVAs. The Ministry of Justice and Home Office are collaborating to ensure new ISVA statutory guidance builds on and replaces existing Home Office guidance.
Paragraph Reference:
126
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
62. The Government recognises the Committee’s concern with the draft Bill that sets out that statutory guidance ‘may’ include provision on role, functions, and appropriate training and qualifications of ISVAs and IDVAs rather than stating it ‘must’. These areas of the guidance will be important for helping to ensure consistency of support and understanding of the roles more widely. We will therefore accept this recommendation. Pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Victims Bill: Government Response 21 63. The MoJ and the Home Office are collaborating to ensure that new ISVA statutory guidance usefully builds on and replaces the original Home Office 2017 guidance: The Role of the Independent Sexual Violence Adviser: Essential Elements.