Purpose

This event which is led by our consultant Sophie Maskell at Equality Collabs ltd, is aimed to provide an open platform to engage with IDVA / ISVA victim support providers and is part of a wider set of engagement being undertaken by them with the Greater Manchester victims of crime support sector.

It is intended to facilitate open and honest conversations around current and upcoming challenges for victim advocacy professionals. These sessions will provide an opportunity for the sector to directly inform and feed into the GM IDVA/ISVA review. Their feedback as an operational support direct to victims is a key aspect in terms of embedding the victim voice, and is required to develop robust headline outcomes and recommendations.

£2000 is deemed appropriate to facilitate room hire and refreshments for up to 50 people over the 2 separate dates in September (7th and 14th).

Decision

An envelope of £2000 be allocated to undertake x2 engagement and feedback in-person sessions for up to 50 on 7th and 14th September 2026 with operational frontline support workers (IDVA/ ISVAs). This feedback is being collated as part of a wider research project into IDVA / ISVA provision in GM which will generate a report with recommendations.