Happy New Year to all of you! 2013 promises to be another great year for LimeCulture.

Here at LimeCulture we are very excited about the coming year and what we have in store for us. We have got lots of work to keep us busy but we are determined to stay focused on improving the confidence and competence of frontline professionals responding to victims of sexual violence.

From now through until April we will be preparing for the National Conference  ‘Knowledge and Network: An Event for ISVAs’ and making sure that is as good as it can possibly be for this important workforce. See our previous post for more information about this Event and how to book.

We will also be focused on training professionals and have a number of training courses running over the next couple of months. Some of our courses are fully booked, so we will be announcing further dates for Court Skills and Crisis Worker in the coming months. We still have a few places left on the 2013 ISVA Development Programme so if you would like to join the June – November 2013 cohort, please contact us for further information.

The LimeCulture experts also provide support and advice to commissioners and funders of specialist sexual assault services. Last year, LimeCulture was commissioned to undertake a number of Independent Service Reviews to assess the quality of service provision on behalf of commissioners. Due to the unique blend of skills and experience of our experts, LimeCulture are able to identify strengths and challenges of service provision and make recommendations to improve the response of services to victims of sexual violence. In light of the changing NHS landscape and the new Police and Crime Commissioners and the impact these will have on commissioning arrangements for sexual assault services, we believe this year could be a turbulent one for sexual assault services who may have to compete against other services in times of dwindling budgets. Showing positive outcomes and value for money has probably never been so important for services who will need to show their value to cash strapped commissioners. Over the next year, LimeCulture will continue to focus on supporting commissioners and funders of sexual violence services, but we will also shift our focus to support specialist sexual violence services to achieve excellence and demonstrate their impact to commissioners and funders. Our aim is to help services to become ‘commissioner ready’ and to remain properly commissioned, funded and supported.

In 2013 LimeCulture will also be working internationally! As well as being asked to provide bespoke training to sexual assault services overseas, we have also been asked to visit and speak at a number of international events on sexual violence. While the UK very much remains our focus, we will be taking up a few of the offers in the hope of learning what other countries do to support victims of sexual violence and whether there is anything that we can learn from others. We will report back on our findings! Watch this space!

So there is lots to do in 2013 and LimeCulture is excited about doing it!! We hope 2013 is an excellent year for you too!

This major event is jointly hosted by King’s College London and LimeCulture and will take place at KCL’s Campus on the Strand, London on Thursday 25 April 2013.  Places are limited so early bookings are recommended to avoid disappointment.

The programme has now been confirmed and speakers and workshop hosts include:

• Baroness Vivien Stern
• Professor Susuan Lea, King’s College London
• Carlene Firmin, Office of the Children’s Commissioner
• Sam Warner, Clinical Psychologist
• Charlotte Triggs, Crown Prosecution Service
• Jeff Goodright, National Police Improvement Agency
• Shelly Stoops, ISVA

This event is suitable for:

• Independent Sexual Violence Advisers
• Advocates
• Children and Young People’s Workers
• Service Managers
• Commissioners
• Other professionals working in partnership with ISVAs (such as Police, CPS, health professionals)

To see the full programme and booking form, please email info@limeculture.co.uk

This promises to be a great event and we are all looking forward to it!

Knowledge and Network: An Event for Independent Sexual Violence Advisers (ISVAs)

LimeCulture was asked to facilitate two ISVA Focus Groups run by the Home Office on 19 and 26 October. The purpose of the focus groups was two-fold:

• Firstly, to give ISVAs the opportunity to share their experiences, suggestions and ideas and
• Secondly, to give the Home Office the opportunity to hear how the role of  the ISVA is developing and to hear the challenges and successes faced by the ISVAs themselves.

The Home Office ran 2 focus groups, one held in Manchester and one held in London. Both were excellent, with interesting discussions and ideas being shared by the people who do this important role. Although ISVAs often operate in difficult and challenges situations – providing support to some of the most vulnerable people in our society- the passion and committment to their clients was clear. All want to do the best they can for their clients and provide the support that is needed.

The discussion themes were targeted and the focus was on 4 main areas:

• ISVA service provision: is it consistent across the country?
• How can ISVAs be supported to carry out their roles effectively?
• How can we ensure ISVA services are managed and monitored effectively?
• How can we ensure that the training and development needs of ISVAs are met?

There were lively discussions from ISVAs at both focus groups, with lots of suggestions and ideas being put forward on how to professionalise the role and improve and increase the standards of service provision for children and adults. It was great to hear the views of these frontline professionals who are working so hard to improve the response to sexual violence up and down the country.

LimeCulture was thrilled to be part of the focus groups and it was a privilege to meet such inspirational people, doing such inspirational roles. The role of the ISVA should not be underestimated or undervalued. These professionals have a critical role in improving the response to sexual violence.

LimeCulture would like every victim of rape or sexual assault to have access to ISVA support if they want it or need it…..if only there were more ISVAs!

Kings College London and LimeCulture will be hosting a national conference for ISVAs on Thursday 25 April 2013. Further information about “Knowledge and Network: An Event for ISVAs’ will be available soon. 

LimeCulture is pleased to announce new training dates for 2013

LimeCulture courses and workshops are designed to support professionals working with victims of sexual violence. All of our courses are intended to be practical in focus and aimed at improving the confidence and confidence of frontline staff.

The following courses will be running during 2013:

Workshop for ISVA Managers – Thursday 31 January 2013 (Manchester) 

Giving Evidence in Court Proceedings – Tuesday 26 and Wednesday 27 February 2013 (Manchester)

Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA) Development Programme – Throughout June- December 2013

• Module 1 : Defining the Roles and Responsibilities of an ISVA (11 & 12 June 2013)
• Module 2: Best practice ISVA responses to police and non-police referrals (9 & 10 July 2013)
• Module 3: Unit a)Working in Partenrship with Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCS) (17 September 2013). Unit b)  Risk Identification, Assessment and Management (18 September 2013)
• Module 4: Unit a) Understanding Sexual Trauma (15 October 2013). Unit b) Forensic Awareness and Interpretation (16 October 2013)
• Module 5: Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults (14 & 15 November 2013)
• Module 6: Understanding the ISVA and Victim role in relation to the Criminal and Civil Justice Process (13 & 13 December 2013)

For more information about our 2013 training courses please email info@limeculture.co.uk

The Home Office are holding two focus groups for ISVAs. Details of the venues and timings are below.

MANCHESTER – Mercure Hotel on 19th October 2012 between  13:30 – 17:00

LONDON, Home Office HQ, 2 Marsham Street on 26th October 2012 between 13:30 – 17:00

LimeCulture understands that places are limited so ISVAs wishing to attend will need to act quickly.

Further information can be obtained from

Sean McGarry 
Interpersonal Violence: Policy and Delivery Team at the Home Office

sean.mcgarry2@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

Telephone No:  020 7035 3724      

Due to popular demand LimeCulture are delighted to announce further dates for Court Skills Training. This course is ideal for all front line professionals who might find themselves having to give evidence in criminal or civil proceedings.

About the training

More and more frequently ISVAs, Social Workers and other front line professionals are finding themselves in the court room giving evidence.

This dynamic and intensive 2-day training course will look at both criminal and civil proceedings, equipping delegates with the practical skills required to give evidence in court, including how to prepare for the evidence giving process, the criminal/civil process and completion of statements/reports for proceedings.

New Dates for 2013

26th/27th February 2013

Testimonial from our 2012 courses

‘I was recently called to give evidence at short notice and had no idea of what was expected of me. I wish I had done this course first. I feel so much more prepared now and whilst I know I will still be nervous I am sure I will be more confident than the last time’ – Crisis Worker

This training has given me so much confidence. I now feel well equipped and armed with the tools should I be needed for court in the future. Thank you LimeCulture for a really great 2 days’ –  ISVA

For further information or to book your place on this training course please contact info@limeculture.co.uk

On Saturday 8th September 2012 Kim LimeCulture’s Director of Training and Development was invited to chair the 3rd Annual Conference of the United Kingdom Association of Forensic Nurses at Staffordshire University. The conference entitled ‘Sex Drugs and Rock and Roll’ was attended by forensic nurses working with victims of sexual/domestic violence and within custody settings. The conference focused on substance misuse and insightful talks were given by Zoe Lodrick one of our LimeCulture trainers,Shannon Harvey from AVA and a range of other experts in the field. It was a brilliant event which was well received by all delegates.

In the last  three years this body of professionals has gone from strength to strength and we would encourage all forensic nurses working in this field to consider joining the association. They provide excellent networking opportunities, professional support and development.

Further information about UKAFN can be found at http://www.ukafn.org

LimeCulture is developing an E-Newsletter so that we can keep interested professionals and organisations up to date with our developments, events, courses, offers and news!

If you would like to be added  to the E-Newsletter mailing list, please subscribe here

http://eepurl.com/nZ5fT

or email info@limeculture.co.uk and we’ll add you to the list!

Thanks!

Good News for ISVAs who want to support their clients at court

A judicial check list giving guidance to Judges about how best to deal with children and young people who are appearing in court proceedings has recently been published

The check list asks the Judge to consider who should support the child in the live TV link room as below

‘Specify person independent, (with whom child has relationship of trust) to provide emotional support in live link room: child’s wishes must be taken into account’

 In the past, this role has been undertaken in some courts by members of the witness service and in others by ushers from the court. However a recent practice direction has specified that the witness supporter need not be an usher or court official.

Limeculture has been made aware of a number applications made by ISVAs to undertake this role. Although there has been some challenge from the judiciary and members of the Bar, a number of successful applications have been made.

In one case in Manchester, a child advocate was granted permission by the court to support her client, a 9 year old child. Likewise in the North East, in spite of the prosecuting barrister initially refusing to make an application for the ISVA to support her 12 year old client who had been sexually exploited, he changed his mind having researched the matter further and an application was made to the court. Although the judge had initially been reluctant to grant the application, he then approved it. The case will be heard in the next few weeks.

It should be noted that

• There are National Standards relating to witness supporters. The ISVA will have to satisfy the court that they are independent and not aware of the specific detail of the case.
• Details of request for the ISVA to support the witness should be made as part of the special measures application
•  It is worth noting that the court are likely insist on the usher remaining in the live TV link room. This is to ensure the integrity of the process and to help with the Judges directions from the court room.

So far we have not been informed of any successful applications for ISVAs to support adults in the live link room. However the principles are the same.

Limeculture has raised the potential for the IVSAs to carry out this role with the Home Office. By working with the Ministry of Justice, it may be that they can help to ensure some consistency in how the courts approach these applications.

If you would like further information about this, please contact info@limeculture.co.uk