Member

First, we are strengthening guidance and frontline practice. The CPS is considering updates to its guidance to encourage advocates and CPS staff to draw victims’ attention to the scheme when they are present at sentencing hearings. The police and the Home Office have committed themselves to exploring reviewing and updating the letters sent by witness care units, and the Victims’ Commissioner has offered her support in ensuring that information is communicated in a trauma-informed way. Both the CPS and the police plan to enhance operational guidance so that frontline staff fully understand the process and the importance of the 28-day window, and understand that, for instance, victims must be referred in a timely fashion to the CPS by witness care units if they cannot answer questions on the ULS scheme.