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Terms of Reference

Independent Assurance of the Lincolnshire Police approach to Violence Against Women and Girls

Context

The tragic murders of Sarah Everard, Julia James, Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman within the Metropolitan Police area have understandably and rightly brought discussions about the safety of women and girls to the fore.

Furthermore, the knowledge that the perpetrator of Sarah Everards murder was a serving police officer, and the inappropriate actions of officers at the scene of the Nicole Smallman and Bibaa Henry murders, have eroded the confidence of some members of the public in policing.

As the Police and Crime Commissioner for Lincolnshire my focus is on our county and Lincolnshire Police.  I know that our Force takes the issue of violence against women and girls very seriously and the Chief Constable and I are both clear in our commitment to making our communities feel and be safer.

There is already a programme of work in place within Lincolnshire Police to take forward matters relating to Violence Against Women and Girls.  The work is overseen by a Delivery Board chaired by the Force Serious Violence Lead, and is informed by the National Framework for Policing Violence Against Women and Girls.

To feel and be safe, and be confident in reporting crime, public trust in the police service is critical. 

I will therefore be establishing an independent panel to;

  • Review, scrutinise and advise me on the programme of work being undertaken by the Force
  • Provide external visibility and assurance to the public through the quarterly Public Assurance meetings

Marc Jones

Police and Crime Commissioner, Lincolnshire Police

 

Violence Against Women and Girls Independent Review Panel Draft Terms of Reference

Objective


The Panel will support the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) to provide objective scrutiny to the programme of work relating to VAWG within Lincolnshire Police in depth and from multiple perspectives.

The Panel exists to provide appropriate challenge, ideas and recommendations to generate genuine and positive organisational learning, and to make real positive changes that will improve outcomes and confidence in policing.

The Panel will be open and transparent in the way it operates and aims to share learning shared with the wider policing network.

Aims

  1. To strengthen and improve public confidence in policing, in matters relating to violence against women and girls, by undertaking an independent examination of the programme of work in Lincolnshire Police.
  2. To identify initiatives, actions and proposals to improve the programme, whilst respecting the operational independence of the Chief Constable.
  3. To assist the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) in holding the Chief Constable to account by scrutinising his plans to address any recommendations made.

 

Working Practices

  • The Crime Commissioner will appoint a Chair of the panel for an initial period of 12 months.
  • The Panel will provide an independent view to the Police and Crime Commissioner on the issues outlined in the ‘Context’ section.
  • The Chair will be pivotal in shaping and agreeing the Terms of Reference and scope of work for the Panel, to enhance the independent nature of this review.
  • The Panel will be comprised of up to 8 members invited from interested parties and partners.
  • The Chair will lead the on the selection, recruitment and appointment of independent panel members, appointed for 12 months initially.
  • The Chair and Members of the group will be requested to respect the confidentiality of matters discussed and act in the spirit of collaboration to ensure a good working relationship with Lincolnshire Police, leading to effective scrutiny.
  • The Panel will meet every quarter (two weeks following a meeting of the Police Delivery Group).
  • Board Meetings will be held within the location of the Lincolnshire Police area or online if circumstances dictate.
  • The Panel will be supported by the OPCC and Lincolnshire Police – a senior officer of the OPCC and a senior officer of the Force will be in attendance at meetings but will not be part of the Panel.
  • Secretariat support will be available to support research and/or policy support in the form of a dedicated intern. Minutes of each meeting will be taken and circulated to members.
  • Policy support to the scrutiny required will be identified by the Chair and resourcing discussed with the OPCC.
  • The panel will, wherever possible, aim to ensure the lived experiences of women and girls are known and heard, and their opinions respected.

 

Reporting

  • The Panel will deliver findings (via the Chair) directly to the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) on a quarterly basis via the Chair.  These updates will inform the Crime Commissioner’s progress updates to the public via the existing Public Assurance Meetings.
  • It is expected that the Panel would sit initially for up to one year and that initial findings and recommendations will be available within six months.
  • After a period of one year the Chair will provide a report detailing the findings of the panel and making recommendations.
  • There is potential to extend the group beyond the one year period if this is deemed necessary by the Panel to achieve the intended aims.

 

Key Reference Documents/Influencers

Attendees

Caroline Killeavy (Chair): Chief Executive YMCA Lincolnshire

Sharon Walker: IDVA Manager- EDAN Lincs

Lauren Hall: Lecturer in Criminology - University of Lincoln

Marie- Claire Bretherton: Education Director - Anthem

Alison Goddard: Chief Executive - Lincolnshire Action Trust Charity

Sundari Anitha: Professor of Gender, Violence and Work - University of Lincoln

Matthew Morrissey: Probation Service East Midlands

Tracey Foreman: Chief Executive Officer and Principal - Specialist Further Education

Lincolnshire Police
D/Superintendent Davies: Lincolnshire Police VAWG Delivery Group Chair/Force Lead VAWG

Sarah Norburn: Domestic Abuse Coordinator

Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner
Joanne Davison:  Director of Strategy and Operations

Katie Nicholls: Project Support Officer

The document containing biographies of each panel member is available here.