Scottish Government

FINAL REPORT FOR THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT
Sue Morris, Patsy Richards and Eddie Richards, Morris Richards Ltd
ISBN 978 0 7559 6978 4 (Web only publication)
This document is also available in pdf format (972k)

CONTENTS

Acknowledgments

LIST OF TABLES

ABBREVIATIONS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The pilots and the evaluation
Main findings
Context and rationale for the pilots
Facilitators of effective pilot establishment
Barriers to effective pilot establishment
Inter-agency awareness
Referral systems or protocols in place
Levels of demand
Monitoring of service delivery
Design of the pilots
Conclusions and options for consideration

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
The Vulnerable Witness Officer pilots
The evaluation
The report

CHAPTER 2 NATIONAL CONTEXT FOR THE PILOTS
Rationale and methods
Information about witnesses and witness services in Scotland
Partnership working in the Scottish criminal justice system
Guidance and standards
The Vulnerable Witnesses (Scotland) Act
Related legislative and other reforms
Witness services in England and Wales
Summary of national context

CHAPTER 3 THE VWO PILOTS IN ABERDEEN & AYRSHIRE
Establishing the pilots
The work programme for the pilots
The local contexts
Witness Service Statistics
Summary of pilot context

CHAPTER 4 THE LOGIC MODEL AND EVALUATION PLAN
The logic model
Reconciliation of the evaluation plan with VWO action plans
Summary of the logic model work

CHAPTER 5 RESULTS OF THE PILOT WORK PROGRAMMES
Identification/investigation of additional needs and priorities
Monitoring system in place
Improving co-ordination between agencies
Summary of progress with work programme

CHAPTER 6 THE WITNESS SURVEY RESULTS
Rationale and methods
Survey responses
Vulnerability
Services accessed
Use of special measures
Experiences of being a witness
Summary of witnesses surveyed and their views and experiences

CHAPTER 7 THE LOCAL AGENCY SURVEY RESULTS
Rationale and methods
Agencies responding
Awareness of and contact with VWOs
Effect of VWOs
Issues arising with VWO work
Need for VWO in an area
Further information and comments
Summary of agencies surveyed and their views

CHAPTER 8 THE INTERVIEW STUDY RESULTS
Rationale and methods
Implementing the pilots
Effect on local inter-agency working
Perceived need for VWOs
Further roll out
Summary of interviewees' views

CHAPTER 9 CONCLUSIONS
Overall progress against objectives
Added value
Ongoing need
Further roll out
Changes to design

CHAPTER 10 OPTIONS APPRAISAL AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Options appraisal
Recommendations

BIBLIOGRAPHY

ANNEX 1 LOCAL MAPPING AND AUDIT- CRIMINAL JUSTICE
The current system in Aberdeen
The current system in Ayrshire

ANNEX 2 LOCAL MAPPING AND AUDIT- CIVIL JUSTICE

The civil justice system in Aberdeen and Ayrshire

ANNEX 3 STEERING GROUP MEMBERSHIPS
Vulnerable Witness Officer Pilot Sub Group Members
Aberdeen LSG membership
Ayrshire LSG membership

ANNEX 4 RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS
Witness Questionnaire
Agency Questionnaire

ANNEX 5 LORD ADVOCATE'S WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDATION 1

ANNEX 6 THE EVALUATION PLAN

The views expressed in this report are those of the researcher and
do not necessarily represent those of the Department or Scottish Ministers.