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Joining up Justice - Multi-agency working in the South East
Multi-agency working is fundamental to the effective operation of the Justice system. However, there is little training or learning available and no qualifications to recognise skills in multi-agency working.
Victim Support has teamed up with a number of other organisations, including HM Prison Service, KCA, Thames Valley Police, HMP Bronzefield, Youth Justice Board and Medway Secure Training Centre in the South East to offer staff a chance to improve their multi-agency working skills.
The Joining up Justice training programme is an exciting new way of delivering training to the Justice sector. The programme has been developed by Skills for Justice, the sector skills council for the Justice sector, in conjunction with the South East Probation Consortium and Passport Coaching and Consulting. The training combines a series of classroom sessions with the development of a portfolio of evidence and attendance at action learning sets. The whole programme is based on relevant national occupational standards.
Learners have finished the classroom element of the programme and are working on their portfolios of evidence. During June they attended the first of three action learning sets. The learners are already seeing a number of benefits of attending the training, including finding out more about other Justice organisations, learning the importance of sharing information and improvements in personal approaches to multi-agency working.
More information about the training programme can be found at http://www.skillsforjustice.com/template01.asp?PageID=513."
Skills for Justice are hosting a one day action learning taster conference on Monday 1 December 2008 in Guildford. The closing date for booking places is 15th November 2008.
Victim Support Awards
Congratulations go to Debi Rooney – HPA Victim Contact Officer (pictured with Barrie Crook), who recently received a Local Criminal Justice Board award for outstanding care and support for victims and witnesses.
Debi was presented with this award on 8 June at the Netley Police Headquarters and stated “I was very pleased to receive the award, not just for me personally, but for my colleagues as it shows the good work that is achieved between Probation and outside agencies.
Debi was nominated for this award by Liessa Mallinson – District Manager for Victim Support South East District of Hampshire & Isle Of Wight, who has worked with Debi for many years.
This is the first year that Victim Support have been able to put someone forward for this award and Liessa was very pleased that Debi came out on top, feeling that she has enhanced the work undertaken with victims of crime by being helpful, supportive and “going that extra mile” – well done Debi!
Radio Solent Breakfast Show - Tuesday 17th July
Margaret Ward, Chief Executive Victim Support Hampshire & Isle of Wight was discussing the latest survey sponsored by Commercial Union, that one third of respondents keep weapons such as golf clubs under their beds as protection and 20% of people feel scared at home at night. She made the following points:
That burglary of homes is very rare in Hampshire & the Isle of Wight (latest police statistics show an incidence of somewhere between 0.5 – 1.0 person per thousand population).
Clearly meeting or being attacked by the offender is even rarer, prevention is better than being involved in confrontation, especially if the resident risks becoming the victim of an assault because there is a ‘weapon’ around.
That Victim Support research in 2005 showed many homes are not adequately protected by door locks, window locks, lights and alarms.
That there is evidence that a large proportion of people do not install such protection after they have been burgled and so don’t reduce future risk.
There are organisations which can help protect people from burglary such as the police crime reduction officers. Contact 01962 843999 to find our how to contact your local crime prevention officer. The Hampshire Bobby Trust provides help and advice for older residents and they can be contacted on 023 9289 9056..
Victim Support provides emotional support and practical information for all victims of crime, including burglary. This is free and independent and you don’t have to have reported the crime to receive our help. For further information please contact us at your local office.
Later this year, Victim Support in Hampshire & the Isle of Wight will be providing enhanced services for all victims of crime which include practical support for those who cannot afford to repair or replace damage. These services are currently under-development. We hope to announce our launch date soon!
Exploring Justice on Community Radio (101.1FM)
'Exploring Justice' is an hour long live Radio Chat Show hosted by Venika Kingsland and broadcast over Community Radio (101.1FM). Its purpose is to introduce the Criminal Justice System (CJS) to the Minority Ethnic Community in the South. In May, it focused on 'Victim Support', with guests Margaret Ward, Chief Executive; Neil from the Communites Team, Southampton CC and volunteers Stacy and Nicky from Victim Support and The Witness Service.
The show started with a song chosen by Margaret, 'You have got a friend' by James Taylor, which put everyone in the right frame of mind. We discussed the role of Victim Support and it's plce in the CJS. It is important to appreciate the value of a programe such as this, where people who feel vulnerable are able to participate from the security of their surroundings and ask questions that are relevant. A number of listeners also called in to ask for Victim Support's telephone number, to find out where they can go for help. More information about the programme can be viewed on their website.
Princess Anne visits drop in centre
Liessa Mallinson, District Manager from our South Eastern Victim Support Office had the pleasure of meeting Princess Anne at the Pride of Place shop on Tuesday 8th May.
Liessa said; "Princess Anne was very interested that we provide a drop in service outside of the area of our office in Portsmouth. Princess Anne commented on how great it was that we had opened up our services to the public and was very happy that we had also started another drop in service in the Gosport area".
New Website for Children and Young People
A new mini website, www.are-you-ok.org.uk, is being developed to allow children and young people (CYP) to access information and support. There is currently an 'interim' version which contains just a few pages. The site will be developed over the next year, with the help of CYP, and the full version will be launched in Autumn 2007.
Equal Access to Justice Conference 2006
On 1st November 2006 we held our Equal Access to Justice Conference. The conference was hosted by Hampshire Constabulary at their Police Training Centre at Netley, and was aimed at raising awareness of the difficulties experienced by Vulnerable and Intimidated Witnesses (VIW's), exploring good practice and partnership working and encouraging our partners in the Criminal Justice System (CJS) to look at ways to improve services generally in order to facilitiate equal justice for all members of society.
The Princess Royal graciously accepted our invitation to address the delegates, then accompanied by the Chairman Kevin Kingsland met and talked at length with volunteers, staff and speakers during the coffee break.
Time Line Charity Walk in Andover
Well done to Jackie Goulding and Margaret Ward for completing 30 laps of the Time Line in Andover on Sunday 29th October. Jackie and Margaret have so far raised £160 for Victim Support Hampshire & Isle of Wight through the 'Just Giving' website.
Margaret Ward said - "People thought that Victim Support were not present in Andover so it was good to wear the t-shirt and reassure people that we work there as in the rest of Hampshire & Isle of Wight"
Well done to Jackie who is a volunteer and trustee and Margaret who is our new Chief Executive.
If you would still like to make a donation in support then you can do so by using the following link:
http://www.justgiving.com/margaretward