The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts (PCSC) Act 2022 provided new duties regarding Serious Violence for Local Authorities, Police, Probation, Integrated Care Boards, Youth Offending Services and Fire and Rescue. Partners are required to work together to prevent and reduce serious violence, including identifying the kinds of serious violence that occur in the area and the causes of that violence. Partners must write a strategy for preventing and reducing serious violence based on this evidence.
Client
One of the UK’s Violence Reduction Partnerships and Serious Violence Duty partners
The Problem
Local partners required support to assess and respond to the new duty and recognised the benefit of the objective and expert support that Nicola Hughes Consulting can provide.
The Solution
I built on a longstanding relationship around violent crime support with the client to assist them with the development of their response to the Serious Violence Duty:
- project management of developing and implementing a response to the new duty
- development of a Partnership Agreement
- development and presentation of expert briefings at partnership meetings and for serious violence duty partners
- support for the development of a consultation framework
- support for the drafting of a Serious Violence Strategy
- development and facilitation of delivery planning workshops.
The Outcome
The partnership developed existing structures and terms of reference to respond to the new duty and submitted them to the Home Office in the appropriate timescale. The evidence base around serious violence was strengthened through data and intelligence gaps analysis and consultation. Plans were developed for grant funding spend and the longer-term goals and structures of the partnership through creating a sustainability and change plan. The Home Office has recognised the partnership as evidencing a ‘mature good practice’ model in its readiness for the Serious Violence Duty.
What the Client Said
Responding to serious violent crime is complex and requires a deep understanding of the issues. That means having the necessary expertise, which allows us to identify the various factors that contribute to the experiences of our communities. Fundamental to our ambitions is the relationship with partners, who each play a crucial role in delivering collaborative and co-produced approaches. Nicola has been instrumental in these collective endeavours, helping to embed the serious violence duty within West Yorkshire and continuing in our strategic ambitions.
DCS Lee Berry
Detective Chief Superintendent, Programme Manager – Safeguarding and Domestic Violence Team
Want to know more? Contact me to find out how I can support you with responding to changing policy and legislation and undertaking horizon scanning.
Read a case study on the creation of a Violent Crime Reduction Strategy and Sustainability Plan for the same client.
Read further case studies
Find out more about my other services