Victims Taskforce papers: November 2024

Workstream 3 update - improving communications for victims and witnesses (paper 5) 

Background 

1. At the June 2023 meeting of the Taskforce, it was agreed that a new workstream to improve communications to victims through implementation of the “People at Heart” approach would be established. 

2. The workstream will report to the Taskforce to ensure its work remains aligned with other Taskforce activities, including those raised by the Victim/Survivor Advisory Board. 

3. Additionally, it was agreed that the work would be included within the scope of the Scottish Government’s Vision for Justice delivery plan, as part of the Person-Centred, Trauma-Informed Transformational Change Programme (‘TCP1’) [1. Vision for Justice | Delivery Plan - Vision for Justice in Scotland: three year delivery plan - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) – Section 1.8.1]. 

4. The first phase of the work – developing an implementation plan – will be informed by the Working Group which met for the first time in February 2024. The Group is chaired by COPFS, with SG acting as secretariat. 

Progress 

5. The group met for the second time in June this year and a high-level mapping activity was done to show where current activity is concentrated, highlight opportunities for mutual learning, and identify gaps. 

6. The group met for a third time towards end of October and are working towards developing a set of strategic aims, activity themes and logic model or a ‘theory of change’ that would form the foundation of the workstream’s commitment to implement both the People at Heart approach and wider changes to communications across the Justice System. The membership is in the process of considering and providing views, and we hope to share an agreed version with the Taskforce at its next meeting. 

7. Members were also invited to consider examples of ‘best practice’ in their organisations that could be shared and collected into an evidence bank. This tool would be used to share learning and encourage further collaboration, creating further opportunities for a whole-system approach. 

8. Additionally, members agreed the importance of aligning this work with ongoing organisational activity being driven by the other workstreams and discussed the interdependencies of this work with that of Workstream 2. It was noted that implementation of the Framework underpins much of the activity of this workstream, in that workforces must have the necessary knowledge and skills in being trauma-responsive to implement a trauma-informed and person-centred approach to communication. 

9. Members also noted the publication of the Scottish Government’s response to the VNS Review, and that they would consider this more closely at the following meeting of the group. 

10. The First Word are planning to deliver introductory webinars with the Criminal Justice agencies. They have also outlined a public facing version of the People at Heart Style guide, which is in consultation with members of the workstream. 

11. As agreed at the last meeting of this Taskforce, an invitation has been extended to Rape Crisis Scotland to join the group’s membership. 

Questions for the Taskforce’s consideration 

• is the Taskforce content to note the progress made in developing strategic aims, activity theme and theory of change for taking forward the objectives of this workstream? 
• to ask Taskforce members if they could provide examples of ‘best practice’ that could be shared with SG Secretariat and collected into an evidence bank