Commissioning Annual Report 2025/26

Delivering support, prevention and safer communities across Gwent

Commissioner’s commissioning portfolio

The Commissioner commissions a diverse portfolio of services to deliver the Police, Crime and Justice Plan priorities. These services are delivered through contracts, grants and partnership contributions, with activity spanning victim support, domestic abuse, sexual violence, substance misuse, youth intervention, community safety and reducing re-offending.

In 2025/26, the total investment in commissioned services and associated partnership activity was £6.9 million. Alongside core commissioned services, Gwent Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) managed government-funded programmes from Welsh Government, the Ministry of Justice and the Home Office, supporting domestic abuse interventions, serious violence prevention, anti-social behaviour activity and victims’ services.

Services are monitored through regular performance and financial oversight, review meetings with providers and, where appropriate, engagement with policing and partner agencies. This helps ensure public funding is targeted towards services that make a measurable difference.

Commissioner’s Grant Funds

The Commissioner’s grants programme was redesigned and expanded during the year. Two existing funds, the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Community Fund and Community Partnership Fund, were refreshed; and a new Community Engagement Fund was established. These changes improved accessibility, increased demand and strengthened governance arrangements.

In the first round of the PCC Community Fund, more than 50 applications were received, of which 22 projects were funded to a total value of £585,000. This helped funding reach a broader range of organisations and communities, including groups that had not previously received OPCC funding.

Preventing crime and anti-social behaviour

Under this priority, the Commissioner invested in early intervention and prevention activity, primarily through grant funding. A total of 57 grants were awarded, including strategic provision such as Positive Futures; targeted responses to anti-social behaviour; and community-led projects through the PCC Community Fund, Partnership Fund and Community Engagement Fund.

Key activity and outcomes

Positive Futures engaged 5,200 young people through open access community provision and delivered 176 unscheduled diversionary or outreach sessions.
Positive Futures reported improved life skills, increased engagement in education, employment or training, and increased participation in leisure, social and community activity.
The PCC Community Fund supported 27 projects focused on early intervention with young people at risk of offending or victimisation.
The Engagement Fund awarded 17 grants to support cultural and community events and strengthen relationships between communities and public services, particularly the police.

Case study: Positive Futures

A young person referred by school was experiencing significant adversity and was becoming involved with high-risk peer groups. Weekly support provided consistent positive male role models, structured activities and time to explore feelings, anger and decision-making. Over time, the young person became more able to reflect on risk, understand behaviour and experience achievement through safe, positive activities.

Making our communities safer

The Commissioner funded 29 grants to support community safety, serious violence prevention and anti-social behaviour reduction. Funding was distributed across local authorities, community safety partnerships, specialist providers and targeted interventions such as ASB Hotspot funding, Summer Safer Streets and Winter of Action.

Serious violence and community safety

Thirteen Serious Violence Duty projects were delivered across Gwent, including youth provision, school-based prevention, therapeutic support and community safety initiatives.
78% of children receiving specialist counselling reported improved ability to cope.
92% of young people engaged with Street Doctors sessions in Caerphilly increased their confidence to respond to a medical emergency.
Crimestoppers Trust delivered 343 Fearless sessions to more than 7,000 young people and 700 professionals.
St Giles Trust supported 91 young people involved in serious violence and organised crime through intensive one-to-one provision.

Targeted hotspot activity

Operation Lumley provided enhanced high-visibility policing in areas with the highest levels of anti-social behaviour and serious violence. It delivered more than 7,200 additional patrol hours across 19 hotspot areas, with positive feedback from businesses and residents on visibility, confidence and perceived reductions in crime and anti-social behaviour.

Case study: serious violence support

A young person supported through a serious violence project had been involved in frequent fights and was exposed to risks linked to substances, threats and unsafe peer relationships. With consistent support, he began to recognise the level of danger around him, reduced substance use, stepped away from a negative friendship and reported no recent fights.

Case study: Fearless

Fearless sessions supported young people to understand hate crime, discrimination and the law. Skilled facilitators created respectful spaces where challenging views could be explored safely, while making clear that harmful or discriminatory behaviour is not acceptable. The sessions reinforced accountability, respect and equality.

Protecting vulnerable people

The Commissioner continued to invest in services and interventions aimed at addressing violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence. The portfolio includes direct support for victims, interventions with perpetrators and partnership activity that improves coordination across the wider system.

Highlights from 2025/26

The TABW service, supporting victims of police-perpetrated Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence, worked with 27 individuals. Of those exiting the service, 83% reported improved ability to cope and recover.
The Family Court Pathfinder pilot received 346 referrals in Gwent, with 94% successfully contacted and 83% progressing to specialist, trauma-informed assessments.
The Cautioning and Relationship Abuse (CARA) intervention supported early intervention for domestic abuse perpetrators, with victims reporting positive behavioural change and participants showing increased awareness and motivation to change.
Multi Agency Tasking and Coordination (MATAC) assessed 179 perpetrators as suitable for the programme and supported 116 victims through a multi-agency response to high-risk domestic abuse.

Case study: CARA

One participant was referred following an alcohol-related domestic abuse incident. Through the Cautioning and Relationship Abuse (CARA) workshops, he reflected on relationship dynamics, emotional regulation and the impact of his behaviour. By the end of the programme, he demonstrated greater accountability and improved emotional awareness, while the victim reported better communication and positive changes within the family.

Putting victims first

The Commissioner continued to fund a comprehensive portfolio of victim services in Gwent, delivered through contracts, grants and partnership contributions. In 2025/26 this included two contracts, one grant-funded service and a contribution to Gwent Police’s Victim Care Unit, supported through Ministry of Justice funding.

Support for victims of crime

Victim Support received 2,206 referrals and supported 643 new victims, including adults, children and young people.
Of those exiting Victim Support, 88% reported positive progress against outcomes including feeling safer, improved wellbeing and increased ability to cope.
New Pathways received 694 new referrals and supported 1,073 individuals affected by rape and sexual violence.
The regional Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) Service received 1,639 referrals and supported 1,727 cases, delivering more than 8,000 client contacts.

Case study: ISVA support for a young person

A young person referred to the Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) service was experiencing significant anxiety and difficulties engaging with education and the criminal justice process. The ISVA adapted communication to meet the young person’s needs, using visual materials and repeated information to build confidence. The young person is now supported by education, health and social care services, has completed a key stage of the court process and is looking towards the future more positively.

Case study: Victim Support Gwent

Following a serious domestic abuse incident, a victim self-referred for support after struggling to cope and feeling unclear about the court process. A complex domestic abuse caseworker completed a needs and risk assessment, provided safety planning, emotional support, advocacy and regular contact. The victim reported feeling safer and more confident, describing the support as invaluable.

Case study: IDVA service user feedback

One service user described how specialist Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) support helped them through court, housing challenges and recovery. They said the support helped them feel believed, safer and able to rebuild their life. The feedback powerfully demonstrates the importance of specialist advocacy, practical support and compassion alongside the criminal justice process.

Reducing re-offending

The Commissioner funded a combination of contracts and grants to reduce re-offending and support individuals within the criminal justice system. Services provide early intervention, rehabilitation and practical support for individuals at different points in the criminal justice pathway.

One Wales Women and Young Adults Service

The One Wales Women and Young Adults Service supported 489 individuals during the year, including 351 women and 138 young adults. The service delivered intensive one-to-one support, group work, workshops and onward referrals to address needs such as wellbeing, relationships, life skills and engagement with education or employment.

GDAS Criminal Justice Service

The Gwent Drug and Alcohol Service (GDAS) Criminal Justice Service engaged with 3,406 individuals in custody, with nearly half identified as requiring support for substance use. Across all referral routes, 953 new referrals were made to GDAS Criminal Justice. Outcomes for those exiting the service included reductions in substance use and alcohol use, as well as improved wellbeing.

Case study: One Wales Women and Young Adults Service

A woman referred following contact with the criminal justice system engaged positively with emotional wellbeing support, creative writing, one-to-one sessions and court support. She experienced significant anxiety during court proceedings but was supported to understand the process and communicate her needs. The case was later recorded as no further action, and she has since moved home, built confidence and continues to engage with support.

Case study: GDAS

One individual was referred voluntarily to the Gwent Drug and Alcohol Service (GDAS) from custody after recognising that alcohol had contributed to offending, relationship breakdown and poor mental health. With a tailored support plan, weekly sessions and relapse prevention work, he achieved sustained periods of abstinence, improved family relationships, reconnected with friends and secured employment. He successfully completed his Alcohol Treatment Requirement and continues to access support.

Outcomes and the difference our services make

The Commissioner’s commissioned services help people rebuild their lives, strengthen communities and reduce the risk of future harm. Across the portfolio, services supported thousands of victims, young people, families and individuals involved in the criminal justice system, providing practical support, specialist advocacy, early intervention and opportunities for positive change. Together, these services help people feel safer, improve wellbeing, reduce substance use, reduce re-offending and contribute to stronger, more resilient communities across Gwent.

Working together

Collaboration is central to the OPCC’s commissioning approach. Services are designed, funded and overseen through strong relationships with voluntary organisations, local authorities, health partners, criminal justice agencies, Gwent Police and community groups.

This partnership approach helps align services with local need, avoid duplication, strengthen referral pathways and ensure specialist support is available for victims, families, communities and people involved in the criminal justice system.

Financial stewardship

The OPCC maintained oversight of a complex portfolio comprising four contracts and 93 grants. Financial management arrangements included regular monitoring of expenditure, reporting aligned to performance and outcomes, and review mechanisms with providers to support value for money and delivery against agreed objectives.

Looking ahead to 2026/27

During 2026/27, the Commissioning Team will continue to strengthen performance insight, deliver grant programmes, respond to funding opportunities and maintain oversight of commissioned services across Gwent.

Priorities for the year ahead

Continue developing Power BI dashboards to improve performance monitoring and data-driven insight.
Deliver further rounds of grant funding, including the Partnership Fund and Community Engagement Fund, with a further PCC Community Fund round anticipated.
Respond to funding opportunities, including the future Home Office Domestic Abuse Perpetrator, Stalking and Children Using Harm Fund.
Work with partners to explore the potential roll-out of the DRIVE programme in Gwent.
Begin forward planning for services and interventions due to end in March 2028, with a focus on continuity and effective future provision.

Continuing the focus on impact

The OPCC will continue to monitor delivery against agreed outcomes, support continuous improvement and ensure commissioned services remain aligned to the Police, Crime and Justice Plan priorities. The focus will remain on prevention, support for victims, protection for vulnerable people, safer communities and reducing re-offending.