Funding awarded to support young victims of crime across Avon and Somerset

Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Clare Moody is proud to announce the successful recommissioning of support services for young victims of crime, with over £240,000 in annual funding allocated to the Young Victims Service (YVS). 

This funding, including contributions from the Ministry of Justice, and the PCC,  will ensure support for children and young people who are victims of crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB) across Avon and Somerset, helping them access support tailored to their individual needs over the next seven years. 

Police and Crime Commissioner Clare Moody said,

“Young people who have faced crime or anti-social behaviour carry those experiences with them, often in ways we can’t immediately see. They deserve care and support that not only helps them recover but also empowers them to move forward. This funding ensures they have access to the right resources to feel genuinely heard, valued, and supported. I’m deeply grateful that, by listening to young people and understanding their experiences, the Young Victims Service is shaping support that truly meets their unique needs.” 

About the Young Victims Service 

Young Victims Service (YVS), which is managed by the North Somerset Youth Justice Service, provides trauma-informed support across Avon and Somerset to children and young people impacted by crime.  This service emphasises co-production, with young people actively contributing to how the service is shaped and delivered. 

YVS supports children and their families, whether or not they are involved in the criminal justice system. Using a trauma-informed approach, YVS helps children and young people recover from the impact of crime, offering personalised support plans developed in collaboration with them and their families. 

They also work in partnership with schools and other agencies in the best interest of the child, ensuring the child’s voice remains at the centre of any decision making that affects them. 

Councillor Catherine Gibbons, North Somerset Council’s executive member for children’s services and Deputy Leader said,

“I’m so pleased that we’ve been awarded this annual fund from the Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner. This funding will help us to provide invaluable support to children and young people across Avon and Somerset who have been affected by crime. As part of our child-first commitment, we’re looking to work with young people to shape the service, so we’re making sure their voices and experiences are at the heart of what we do.”     

Next steps 

This long-term investment follows a meticulous, research-driven commissioning process that put victims and their voices at the heart of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s (OPCC) approach and underscores the Police and Crime Commissioner’s commitment to providing young victims with the tailored, compassionate care they need to rebuild their lives and move forward with confidence. 

The YVS contract will start on 1st April 2025 and run for up to seven years, ensuring long-term stability and a dependable care that can evolve with the needs of the people they support.

For more information about the support YVS provide visit their website www.youngvictims.org.uk