Your Commissioner - Your Voice

Commissioner Zoë can ask questions on your behalf in her Online Public Meeting with the Chief Constable or Chief Fire Officer. Ask your question and find out more.

Commissioned services

The Ministry of Justice devolved funding for Victims Commissioning in 2014-15 to Police and Crime Commissioners. This included funding for Restorative Justice, Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse in 2014-15.

The funding shown is the maximum annual OPFCC funding available for the service and not the total cost of the service, as some services are jointly commissioned or funded or additional ring-fenced funded.

On this page

Victims 

Supporting Victims in North Yorkshire

Supporting Victims is a telephone based service providing support for anyone affected by crime in North Yorkshire, whether reported to the police or not.

This includes victims, bereaved relatives, those under 18 with consent, parents or guardians of victims under 18 and members of staff where a business has been a victim of crime.

Individuals can self-refer to Supporting Victims and agencies can make direct referrals.

Supporting Victims is also the Independent Reporting route for victims of hate crime (whether reported to the police or not):

Victims will be asked a few questions to find out how they have been affected by the crime and to identify the support that can be provided. This includes immediate practical and emotional support over the phone; onward referral into specialist services, including those commissioned by the PFCC; and signposting to other support organisations as appropriate. Supporting Victims staff are trained and experienced in helping victims understand what has happened and supporting them to cope with the immediate impact and recover from the harm experienced:

Independent Victim Adviser (IVA) service – Victim Support – £228,000

The IVA service is provided by Victims Support. It provides face to face support in the community for victims of serious crime, vulnerable, persistently targeted and young victims (excluding sexual or domestic) whether or not they have made a report to North Yorkshire Police.

The service provides a range of practical and/or emotional support for victims of in order to help them to cope and recover.

Referrals are made via the Supporting Victims team.

As a result of the Coronavirus pandemic Victim Support have made their free live chat support service available 24/7: https://livechat.victimsupport.org.uk/newchat/chat.aspx?domain=www.victimsupport.org.uk&timestamp=1610457062608.

Alternatively, individuals can create a free account on My Support Space – an online resource containing interactive guides to help manage the impact that crime has had: My Support Space My Support Space 

Support for Victims and Survivors of Domestic Abuse – IDAS – £401,000

Jointly commissioned with North Yorkshire Council and City of York Council and delivered by Independent Domestic Abuse Services (IDAS). Support is available for anyone aged 16yrs and over who is a direct victim or survivor of domestic abuse. Support is available for all genders and regardless of sexual orientation. Support is available whether or not they want to make a formal report to the Police.

The overall objective of the Services is to enable all victims and survivors to cope with the immediate impacts of domestic abuse, provide safe and supported accommodation where required to all victims and survivors of domestic abuse aged 16 years and over, and their dependent children, empowering them to make informed choices about their safety and rebuilding stability and resilience to move forward from the harm experienced. The aim is for victims and survivors to be and feel safer, to reduce those victims and survivors fleeing domestic abuse becoming homeless and/or in temporary accommodation, whether they remain in their own home or in safe accommodation, and support themselves independently, or through an appropriate peer support network by the end of the provision of support.

The services available include:

•Central Referral Hub which will be the first point of contact for all victims, survivors and children and young people affected by domestic abuse. This will ensure that everyone has access to consistent advice and support, and then, where needed, allocation to an appropriate intervention most suitable to meet their individual needs. The Hub will also provide triage, immediate advice, support and safety planning as required.

• Safe Accommodation with tailored 1 to 1 emotional and practical support for up to 1 year in a safe and secure environment through a variety of purpose-built Refuge premises and dispersed Safe Accommodation throughout North Yorkshire and the City of York for all those fleeing domestic abuse, and their dependent children up to the age of 16 years.

• Safe Haven scheme providing short-term emergency accommodation and respite opportunities for up to two months with host families; this will be particularly beneficial for those who may not be able to live in refuges, do not have access to public funds or live in rural communities.

• Resettlement support for a period of up to 3 months following move on from the accommodation including onward referrals and/or liaison with other support services as appropriate.

• Sanctuary Scheme and Target Hardening alongside specialist support and advice to enable victims, survivors and their children to remain safely in their own homes if they choose to do so.

• Community-based Domestic Abuse Practitioners (also known as IDVAs) to provide specialist 1-to-1 emotional and practical support, supported group work and peer support networks, onward referrals and/or liaison with other agencies and support services as appropriate, including support through any police investigation and/or court proceedings.

Referrals can be made:

• Online: IDAS Referral Form

• Email: info@idas.org.uk

• Phone: 03000 110 110

• Live Chat web chat facility via the IDAS website

Support for Children & Young People affected by domestic abuse – IDAS – £307,000

Delivered by Independent Domestic Abuse Services (IDAS) support is available for children & young people aged 10 to 16 years who have been impacted by domestic abuse within the family, and/or are displaying inappropriate or unhealthy behaviour (also known as Child/Adolescent to Parent Violence or Abuse “C/APVA”) as a result of the domestic abuse they have experienced. Support is also available for older young people displaying abusive behaviours within their own intimate relationships with other young people; those under 10 years or over 16 years up to their 18th birthday will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Support is available for all genders and regardless of sexual orientation.

The overall objective of the Services is to enable children & young people to cope with the immediate impacts of domestic abuse occurring between their parents/guardians, and to enable (non-abusive) parents/guardians to recognise the impact of domestic abuse on their children, and address any inappropriate or unhealthy patterns of behaviour as a result by the young people themselves within the family setting and/or within intimate relationships with other young people as a result of the domestic abuse they have experienced; empowering them to make informed choices about their safety, behaviour and rebuilding resilience and positive relationships to move forward from the harm experienced. The aim is for children & young people to be and feel safer in their own home, and to prevent unhealthy and/or abusive behaviour escalating and reduce the risk posed by the young people to their parent/s, guardian/s, siblings and/or other young people.

The services available include:

• Central Referral Hub which will be the first point of contact for all families affected by domestic abuse. This will ensure that everyone has access to consistent advice and support, and then, where needed, allocation to an appropriate intervention most suitable to meet their individual needs. The Hub will also provide triage, immediate advice, support and safety planning as required.

• Intensive 1-to-1 emotional and practical support for children and young people, including elements of each of the following where appropriate:

• Early intervention resources for children and young people with emerging issues

• Therapeutic Interventions for children and young people impacted by domestic abuse within their family

• Trauma-informed interventions for children and young people using abusive behaviours within the family setting, based on the Respect Young People’s Programme, using a ‘whole family’ approach to address CAPVA

• Specialist Young Perpetrators Programme for older young people using abusive behaviours within intimate relationships with other young people

• Age-appropriate groupwork, which may include understanding healthy relationships, our behaviour and the impact on others, or self-esteem and how young people can use the environment and physical activity to regulate their emotions and look after their mental wellbeing.

• Telephone and 1-to-1 support for parent/guardians with supporting Parent Information Packs providing advice on safety planning, boundary setting and behaviour management, online and in person workshops, and peer-led support networks, onward referrals and/or liaison with other agencies and support services as appropriate.

Referrals can be made:

• Online: IDAS Referral Form

• Email: info@idas.org.uk

• Phone: 03000 110 110

• Live Chat web chat facility via the IDAS website

Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA) Service – IDAS – £104,000

The PFCC for North Yorkshire, North Yorkshire County Council and City of York Council have jointly commissioned a single, holistic, all age ISVA service for all victims and survivors of all forms of sexual violence or abuse. The service is delivered by Independent Domestic Abuse Services (IDAS) and includes access to a specialist ISVA to support BME women & girls employed by the Halo Project. Support is available for any victim or survivor of all forms of sexual violence or abuse, including historic child sexual abuse. Support is available for all ages and genders, regardless of sexual orientation. The service offers:

    • Immediate advice, support and safety planning if required
    • 1 to 1 emotional and practical support, including support through any police investigation and/or court proceedings
    • Support for (non-abusing) parents/guardians of young victims aged 12 years or under
    • Supported group work and peer support networks
    • Onward referrals and/or liaison with other agencies and support services as appropriate

The overall objective of the ISVA service is to enable all victims and survivors of sexual abuse, assault and rape to cope with the immediate impacts of crime and recover from the harm experienced; and reach out to more people to encourage an increase in self-reporting to get the help they need. The aim is for victims and survivors to be able to support themselves independently or through an appropriate peer support network by the end of the provision of support. Referrals can be made by police officers, SARC or CSAAS and other professionals working with victims and survivors as well as self-referrals, and support is available whether individuals want to make a formal report to the police or not:

All referrals will initially be reviewed by specialist staff in a centralised referral hub who will complete an initial assessment looking at risk and need, providing triage, immediate advice, support and safety planning as required. For those that require further support, the hub team will refer on to a Lime Culture Accredited ISVA to provide specialist 1 to 1 support to meet their individual needs. 

Counselling service – Survive and Community Counselling – £243,500

An all age, counselling and talking therapy service to support victims of crime to cope and recover. The service aims to enable victims to either support themselves independently or be supported through an appropriate peer support network by the end of provision. Community Counselling deliver adult (aged 18 and over) services in Scarborough and Ryedale as well as a countywide service for young people (aged 17 and under). Survive deliver adult services in Craven, Hambleton, Harrogate, Richmondshire, York and Selby.

Restorative Justice service – Restorative Solutions – £115,000

Restorative Justice (RJ) brings those harmed by crime and those responsible for the harm into communication with each other. This enables everyone affected by the incident to play a part in repairing the damage and finding a positive way forward. Research shows that Restorative Justice reduces reoffending and helps to reduce harm in our communities.

The service is focused on the delivery of victim-led, face to face victim offender conferencing and indirect restorative justice where appropriate, giving any victim of crime in North Yorkshire the opportunity to meet with their offender, with the support of a restorative justice professional to enable cope and recovery after crime.

For more information contact Supporting Victims or

Restorative Solutions by:
email: RJNorthYorkshire@restorativesolutions.org.uk (add ‘.cjsm.net’ to make the address secure);
phone: 01423 546175.

To make a direct referral to the RJ service please go to: https://firstlive.orcuma.com/referrer_pre.php. Please enter your email address once you have clicked on the link above. An email will be sent directly to your inbox where you can select the ‘Restorative Justice’ referral link. This will take you to an online form where you can enter the referral details. Please enter the main person being referred in the ‘Client’ tab and the other party – if you have their details – in the ‘Referral’ tab. 

Child Sexual / Criminal Exploitation and Missing service – Hand in Hand – Children’s Society – £200,000

The Hand in Hand service is provided by The Children’s Society. The service works with children and young people affected by or at risk of, child sexual and criminal exploitation and those who go repeatedly missing from home.

The support offered includes one to one and group work in addition to targeted awareness raising in schools.

The aim of the service is to reduce the harm and incidence of child exploitation and provide support and safety planning for those affected.

The service accepts self-referrals or agency referrals. For further information or to self-refer, please email: handinhand@childrenssociety.org.uk

Parent Liaison Officer Support Service – The Ivison Trust – £30,000

The PLO service is provided by The Ivison Trust. The service works with parents and carers of children who are, or who are at risk of being, exploited by individuals from outside of the family and those children who repeatedly go missing. The support offered includes one to one and group work in addition to targeted awareness raising in schools. Parents can also access a secure online forum and befriending scheme which connects and support affected parents who can often feel isolated, judged and blamed. The aims of the service are to:

    • Safeguard exploited children
    • Support the successful prosecution and disruption of perpetrators by providing specialist witness care
    • Recognise the impact Child Exploitation has on the whole family
    • Build co-productive relationships with services and statutory agencies
    • Empower parents to increase their resilience to provide long-term support for their child

The PLO service accepts self-referrals or agency referrals. For further information or to self-refer, please email:info@ivisontrust.org.uk

Adult Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) – Mountain Healthcare Ltd – £182,000

The SARC provides crisis support and forensic medical services to collect any evidence for all adult victims of rape or sexual assault. The PFCC for North Yorkshire, NHS England, Humberside PCC, South Yorkshire PCC, and the Mayor for West Yorkshire have jointly commissioned a single Regional Adult SARC Service for the Yorkshire and Humberside region. The service is delivered by Mountain Healthcare Ltd. Support is available for any victim of rape or sexual assault aged 16 years or over. Support is available for all genders and regardless of sexual orientation. The service offers:

    • Immediate triage, advice and support
    • Specialist 1 to 1 Crisis Support
    • Forensic Medical Examination if appropriate to collect any forensic evidence
    • Onward referrals and/or liaison with other agencies and support services as appropriate

Referrals can be made by police officers and other professionals working with victims as well as self-referrals, and support is available whether they want to make a formal report to the police or not:

Online: Bridge House SARC
Phone: 0330 223 0362

All referrals are initially screened by a specialist hub worker who will provide immediate advice over the phone and make any onward referrals into our Independent Sexual Violence Adviser service and/or Sexual Health services where required. If appropriate, a Forensic Medical Examination will be carried out by Forensic Nurse Examiners at North Yorkshire’s specialist SARC premises where any physical forensic evidence will be collected; if a victim does not wish to report to the police, any forensic samples collected are securely stored for a period of up to 7 years to allow the individual time to consider if they would like to report at a later date. The services are available 24/7 including Bank Holidays, however examinations are usually booked for daytime weekday hours (9-5) wherever possible and in agreement with the victim. Victims from North Yorkshire are able to be seen at any of the three other regional SARC premises.

Child Sexual Assault Assessment Service (CSAAS) – Mountain Healthcare Ltd – £89,000

The CSAAS provides crisis support and forensic medical services to collect any evidence for all child victims of rape or sexual assault. The PFCC for North Yorkshire and NHS England have jointly commissioned a single CSAAS for North Yorkshire. The service is delivered by Mountain Healthcare Ltd. Support is available for all children and young people aged 0 to 16 years who have disclosed sexual abuse or assault, or where it is suspected that it has happened. Older young people up to their 19th birthday may also be seen by the CSAAS if they have additional needs or it is deemed to be clinically appropriate. The service offers:

    • Immediate professional advice and support
    • Specialist 1 to 1 Crisis Support
    • Forensic Medical Examination if appropriate to collect any forensic evidence
    • Non-forensic Medical Examination if appropriate
    • Onward referrals and/or liaison with other agencies for aftercare and support services as necessary

Referrals can only be made by police officers or Social Workers; it is not a self-referral service.

Both Forensic and Non-forensic Medical Examinations can be carried out at North Yorkshire’s specialist SARC premises which will include a full detailed clinical history and examination.

Young People aged 13 years or over can be seen by specialist Forensic Nurse Examiners 24/7 including Bank Holidays; however examinations are usually booked for daytime weekday hours (9-5) wherever possible.

Children aged 12 years or under are seen by specialist Forensic Paediatricians at weekly clinics at North Yorkshire’s specialist SARC premises, or West Yorkshire CSAAS premises if an urgent examination is required outside these hours.

 

Offenders

Crossroads: Adult Diversion scheme – Humankind – £285,000

Provided by Humankind, the Crossroads Adult Diversion scheme goal is to prevent or intervene early to divert people from the criminal justice process by addressing the underlying causes of their offending behaviour. The overall aims of the Adult Crossroads Diversion scheme are to:

    • Reduce the number of first-time entrants into the Criminal Justice System
    • Reduce re-offending and antisocial behaviour
    • Assess the needs of those on the scheme across the criminogenic pathways and evidence positive progress to address those needs

The Crossroads Adult Diversion scheme works with women and men aged 18+ to offer trauma-informed support to address underlying causes of offending. Each individual will receive a tailored support package, the intensiveness of which will be responsive to their assessed needs. A dedicated keyworker will be allocated who will provide direct interventions, advocate and signpost into specialist agencies where necessary.

The scheme has two elements:

    • A community-based support scheme, for adult women or men who may be at risk of entering the Criminal Justice System or are known to North Yorkshire Police. The scheme will engage with individuals, at an early stage before criminal behaviour becomes habitual, to improve circumstances for both them and the local community. Engagement will be on a voluntarily basis. The community-based scheme is open to those who are not offending or have been involved in antisocial behaviour or committed very low-level offences. Various agencies may be working with individuals at this stage, and any agency can refer to this element of the scheme. To refer, click on the link below. You will be required to enter your email address and then you will be sent an email, click on the appropriate link for the Crossroads Adult Diversion scheme. Once submitted, the referral form will go directly to Humankind who will then make contact with the individual to arrange an appointment: https://firstlive.orcuma.com/nyp

Referrals can also be made via a referral form and Humankind also welcome self-referrals. To self-refer, request a referral form or for further information contact Alice.Skelton@nyhorizons.org.uk or Humankind.diversionary.services@nhs.net or alternatively call 07939209087.

    • A Pre-Court Diversionary support scheme,for adult women or men at point of arrest or voluntary attendance at police custody. This is an alternative to prosecution, and if the individual accepts the referral to the Crossroads Adult Diversion scheme, engagement will be mandatory, otherwise the individual may be referred back to North Yorkshire police to face prosecution. Only North Yorkshire Police are able to refer to this element of the scheme. The referral form can be found on Niche and the completed referral form should be sent to Humankind at services@nhs.net

Change Direction: Young People’s Diversion scheme – North Yorkshire Youth – £185,000

Provided by North Yorkshire Youth, the Change Direction Young People’s Diversion scheme goal is to prevent or intervene early to divert young people from the criminal justice process by addressing the underlying causes of their offending behaviour. The overall aims of the Change Direction Young People’s Diversion scheme are to:

    • Reduce the number of first time entrants into the Criminal Justice System
    • Reduce re-offending and antisocial behaviour
    • Assess the needs of those on the scheme across the criminogenic pathways and evidence positive progress to address those needs

The Change Direction Diversion scheme works with young people aged 10-17, to offer trauma-informed support to address underlying causes of offending. Each individual will receive a tailored support package, the intensiveness of which will be responsive to their assessed needs. A dedicated keyworker will be allocated who will provide direct interventions, advocate and signpost into specialist agencies where necessary.

The Change Direction Young People’s Diversion scheme is for 10-17 year olds who may be at risk of entering the Criminal Justice System or are known to North Yorkshire Police. The scheme will engage with young people, at an early stage before criminal behaviour becomes habitual, to improve circumstances for both the young person and the local community. The young person’s engagement with the Change Direction scheme will be on a voluntary basis. The scheme is open to those who are not offending or have been involved in antisocial behaviour or committed very low level offences. Various agencies may be working with young people at this stage, and any agency can refer to the scheme.

To refer, click here. You will be required to enter your email address and then you will be sent an email, click on the appropriate link for the Crossroads Adult Diversion scheme. Once submitted, the referral form will go directly to North Yorkshire Youth who will then make contact with the individual to arrange an appointment: https://firstlive.orcuma.com/nyp. Alternatively you can request a referral form from our Youth Development Manager by emailing: info@nyy.org.uk. Referrals are welcome from a range of agencies including schools, colleges, Community Safety Hubs and North Yorkshire Police; as well as parents/guardians.

Support for Perpetrators of domestic abuse to change their behaviour – Foundation UK – £25,000

Delivered by Foundation UK, support is available for anyone aged 16 years and over who is a perpetrator of domestic abuse, who wish to voluntarily address their abusive behaviour. Support is available for all genders and regardless of sexual orientation.

The overall objective of the Services is to enable individuals aged 16 years or above, regardless of gender, who are engaged in abusive behaviour towards their current or former intimate partners, or immediate family members, the opportunity to recognise, acknowledge and change that behaviour. The aim is to prevent the abusive behaviour escalating and/or reduce the risk posed whilst increasing the safety of victims and their children and enabling victims to have the freedom to make informed choices about their safety, health, housing and any other identified needs.

All referrals will be initially assessed by a Domestic Abuse Intervention Worker (DAIW), who will review all relevant information regarding risk to complete an initial risk assessment including assessing the perpetrator’s suitability for the programme, identification of their most immediate needs and any immediate action needed to safeguard their victim and any children from further harm.

The services available include:

  • Triage/Short Intervention/Advice Sessions including signposting to other agencies and support services to address wider presenting needs as appropriate. Once any immediate needs have been addressed, perpetrators will be offered a tailored package of interventions most suitable to address their needs and guide them through the various stages of behaviour change.
  • Respect accredited 26-week group programme for standard risk perpetrators, providing a restorative setting to discuss and challenge abusive behaviour. Modules include Respect, Gender, Parenting, Emotional Intimacy, Sexual Respect and Support and Trust.
  • Respect accredited 1-to-1 programme for perpetrators who are more suited to individual sessions due to multiple needs or higher risk levels. Providing 20 weekly interactive sessions, using a range of delivery methods to examine issues such as trust, empathy and healthy relationships. Tailored sessions can be added to cover parenting, child development, jealousy, accountability, emotional intelligence, substance misuse, de-escalation and the impact of combat stress and PTSD for ex-service personnel.
  • High Harm/High Risk Interventions for perpetrators who pose a high risk of serious harm but are willing to engage in a 1-to-1 behaviour change programme. Based on the Respect accredited Drive model and using intensive case management to de-escalate immediate risk and multi-agency approach, working with the police, probation, children’s social services, housing, substance misuse and mental health teams to reduce risk and safeguard victims.
  • Peer Mentor training programmes are in development for clients who are no longer abusive and provide opportunities to support other clients, share learning, develop skills and present positive role models instilling hope in new clients and those still working on change.
  • Integration with Victim Services through a dedicated Integrated Support Worker (ISW) to provide victims with progress updates on perpetrators to help them make informed decisions, and to ensure the voice of the victim is represented across the services and within individual work with perpetrators.

Referrals can only be made online: +Choices – Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Programme Referral Form

All other enquiries, please phone: 01904 557491

North Yorkshire Youth Justice Service (YJS) – £284,000

The PFCC provides an annual financial contribution to support North Yorkshire YJS delivery across service priorities including the Youth Outcomes Panel, victim liaison and restorative practice, as well as contributing to the service’s overall infrastructure and performance management. North Yorkshire YJS’ ultimate objectives are to prevent offending and reduce re-offending by North Yorkshire young people and the service looks to achieve this by supporting the Youth Justice Board ethos of children first, offenders second, listening and responding to the needs of young people. North Yorkshire YJS strategic objectives include:

      • Prevention and Diversion
      • Integrated, Systemic and Relational Practice
      • Education, Training and Employment
      • Tailored Support for Higher Need Groups

York Youth Justice Service (YJS) – £90,000

The PFCC provides an annual financial contribution to support York YJS delivery across service priorities including the Youth Outcomes Panel, diversion, restorative practice and reducing re-offending, as well as contributing to the service’s overall infrastructure and performance management. York YJS’s ultimate objectives are to prevent offending and reduce re-offending by York young people and the service looks to achieve this by supporting the Youth Justice Board ethos of children first, offenders second, listening and responding to the needs of young people. York YJS priorities include:

    • Prevention and Diversion to reduce first time entrants
    • Reducing Re-offending
    • Responding to Child Exploitation and County Lines
    • Restorative Practice and holistic approach including supporting victims of crime
    • Addressing harmful sexual behaviour across the city
    • Reducing unnecessary criminalisation of Looked After Children
    • Ensuring children’s broader needs are identified and assessed for appropriate support

North Yorkshire Substance Misuse service – North Yorkshire Horizons (adult service) – £159,000; Humankind (young person’s service) – £6,000

The PFCC contributes financially to the North Yorkshire County Council, Public Health contract, to deliver integrated substance misuse treatment services to both adults and young people across North Yorkshire. The contribution supports the Criminal Justice elements of provision and wider partnership working across the Criminal Justice System.

The adult substance misuse service is provided by North Yorkshire Horizons and the young people’s service is provided by Humankind. The integrated service is available to individuals with problematic drug or alcohol use.

The criminal justice element of the service is available to individuals in police custody and upon release from prison for those where substance misuse is a contributing factor to their offending. Those entering treatment through a criminal justice pathway will receive the same level, type and quality of service offer as any other resident would expect when entering the treatment journey through any other pathway.

The service offers one to one support, group work, substitute prescribing, health screenings and blood tests and vaccinations.

The aim of the criminal justice element of the substance misuse service is to be able to identify where substance misuse is a factor in someone’s offending, addressing those issues that lead to offending and to provide diversion options which in turn are anticipated to reduce overall re/offending rates.

The overall aim of the substance misuse service is to enable individuals with problematic drug and / or alcohol use to become free of their addiction, promoting recovery, abstinence and harm reduction. Individuals can be referred at various points in the criminal justice process including by police, courts, prison and probation.

Adults can also self-refer to North Yorkshire Horizons by calling the free phone number: 0800 14 14 80; by emailing: info@nyhorizons.org.uk; or via the self-referral form on the website www.nyhorizons.org.uk.

Young People can self-refer to Humankind by calling the SPOC line on 01723 330730 (option 2) or Freephone 08000 14 14 80 (option 2). 

York Substance Misuse service – Changing Lives – £80,000

The PFCC contributes financially to the City of York Council, Public Health contract, to deliver substance misuse treatment services to adults and young people in the city of York. The contribution supports the Criminal Justice elements of provision and wider partnership working across the Criminal Justice System.

The service is delivered by Changing Lives.

The service is available to local adults and young people in York who are affected by drug or alcohol misuse.

The criminal justice element of the service is available to individuals in police custody and upon release from prison for those where substance misuse is a contributing factor to their offending. Those entering treatment through a criminal justice pathway will receive the same level, type and quality of service offer as any other resident would expect when entering the treatment journey through any other pathway.

The service offers one to one and group support, community alcohol detoxification, substitute prescribing and support to friends and family.

The aim of the criminal justice element of the substance misuse service is to be able to identify where substance misuse is a factor in someone’s offending, addressing those issues that lead to offending and to provide diversion options which in turn are anticipated to reduce overall re/offending rates.

The overall aim of the substance misuse service is to support individuals to work towards abstinence and support ongoing recovery. Individuals can be referred at various points in the criminal justice process including by police, courts, prison and probation.

Individuals can also self-refer by calling: 01904 621 776

Vulnerable People

Women’s Centre, York – Changing Lives – £73,000

Provided by Changing Lives. Any woman can access services, particularly those who may:

    • Be involved with, or at risk of entering the criminal justice system
    • Have multiple or complex needs
    • Be chronically excluded

The service offers gender-specific, trauma informed support via one-to-one key work or group work. Women can also drop-in to the centre simply to have a warm drink and to make use of the facilities which include a kitchen, shower, and laundry.

The service also supports women who might be involved with sex work or survival sex, and this support can be offered on an outreach basis.

The aim of the Women’s Centre is to provide a safe, homely, woman-only environment where a whole system of support can be offered.

The centre is also available to partners to see women and to run groups from.

The service offers support across a range of needs in order to improve outcomes for women. The service accepts self-referrals and agency referrals.

To refer or to find out further information, please visit our Women’s Centre Webpage: https://www.northyorkshire-pfcc.gov.uk/womenandgirls/womens-centre/ or email: womens.wellness@changing-lives.org.uk

Mental Health Triage Force Control Room – TEWV – £451,000

The Mental Health Triage team service provides a point of contact for North Yorkshire Police (NYP) to obtain specialist mental health advice and guidance to officers dealing with individuals in mental health crisis. The team covers the whole of North Yorkshire via the Force Control Room (telephone only). The aim of the service is to:

Work alongside and in partnership with NYP (and partners) to improve the overall experience for the presenting individual

Provide access to appropriate care pathways for persons with mental ill health who present to NYP

Help police officers to make appropriate decisions, based on a clear understanding of the background to the situation

Ensure clients receive appropriate care more quickly, that results in better outcomes for individuals

To work collaboratively to make use of the least restrictive option for treatment intervention

Community Safety 

Mediation service – Restorative Solutions – £15,000

The aim of the Mediation service is to provide Community Safety partners and wider referral agencies, via the Community Safety Hubs, with a service that supports the resolution of disputes to prevent criminality. The service supports disputes in the following categories:

    • Anti-Social Behaviour
    • Boundary disputes
    • Verbal Abuse
    • Communication Breakdown
    • Cultural Differences

Family Mediation covers: family disputes, managing offending behaviour and preventing criminality. Please liaise with your local Community Safety Hub to assess if a referral can be made.

Anger Management service – Community Counselling – £10,000

The aim of the Anger Management service is to provide the Community Safety Hubs with a preventative service that sees an improvement in the referred clients’ behaviour which impacts positively on community safety. The service offers counselling sessions with a focus on:

    • Helping the client(s) recognise/identify what makes them angry (triggers or catalysts for anger)
    • Enabling the client(s) to best respond to these triggers without being aggressive
    • Enabling the client(s) to learn skills/techniques to help manage triggers for anger effectively
    • Helping the client(s) learn how to be assertive
    • Helping the client(s) develop/learn problem solving techniques.

Please liaise with your local Community Safety Hub to assess if a referral can be made. 

Community Engagement 

Youth Commission – Leaders Unlocked – £35,000

North Yorkshire Youth Commission (NYYC) enables young people aged 10-25 to support, challenge and inform the work of the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC), North Yorkshire Police, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue and partner agencies, using a peer-research and engagement approach. NYYC offers young people the opportunity to influence decisions and direction of these agencies based on the key priorities young people have reported affect them, currently:

      • Discrimination
      • Online Safety
      • Relationships with Police and Authorities
      • Drugs, Gangs and County Lines
      • Mental Health and Wellbeing
      • Gender Violence and Safer Streets

NYYC also deliver the Good Citizen Award which aims to celebrate young people in North Yorkshire who make a positive impact on their community.  It is awarded by the North Yorkshire Youth Commission on behalf of the North Yorkshire Police, Fire, and Crime Commissioner.

Find out more about the Youth Commission

Updated April 2024