Since the completion of the consultation exercise discussions have been taking place with the OFMDFM Committee and the Commission for Victims and Survivors. Taking account of these views and the responses to the consultation, all of the strands of work required to establish the new Service have been identified. An agreed Project Management structure has also been agreed.
First Minister Peter Robinson said: “A Steering Group has been set up to oversee the design and implementation of the new Service. In addition to this seven working groups will be convened to take forward the key strands of work on individual assessments, organisational structure, standards, service delivery, management information systems, victims groups interaction and communication. Once the design of the new Service has been agreed we will move into implementation.”
The deputy First Minister added: “We want to ensure that our new Victims and Survivors Service is fit for purpose and will deliver for those most affected by our past. By involving the sector on our Steering Group and working groups we believe we can achieve this. We do not underestimate the scale of the challenge ahead of us but feel that we have the correct structures in place to rise to it and take forward this important piece of work. “
In closing the First Minister and deputy First Minister emphasised that more funding than ever before has been made available to address the needs of victims and survivors. The establishment of a Victims and Survivors Service is an important part of that.
A ‘next steps’ bulletin will issue shortly. This will be distributed throughout the victims sector and to other interested parties and will provide more detail on how the establishment of the Service is progressing.
Source: www.northernireland.gov.uk/news/news-ofmdfm/
(Wednesday 22nd July 2010)
OFMDFM Strategy for Victims and Survivors November 2009
