To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister what precautions are being taken by the Victims' Payment Board to ensure that the processing of applications is conducted in a sensitive and trauma-informed manner.

The Victims’ Payments Scheme is administered by the Victims’ Payments Board (VPB) on behalf of The Executive Office.

The VPB is committed to integrating a trauma informed culture and continues to make progress in implementing the Scheme in a victim centred manner.

Those involved in the administration of the Scheme are aware that the application process can be an emotional time for many applicants as they recall traumatic life events linked to relevant incidents.

The VPB strives to ensure a positive client journey by grounding its work in the interests of victims, and VPB staff place an emphasis on understanding, respecting and appropriately corresponding with every applicant. Applicants are made aware of the support available from victims’ organisations across the sector and are signposted to the relevant support services where necessary.

All VPB staff, Board members and Committee members are security cleared to CTC level to provide additional reassurance to applicants. All VPB staff, Board members and Committee members also attend regular trauma focused information sessions and receive:

A training course grounded in trauma theory facilitated by WAVE; and

Training on safeguarding / dealing with vulnerable applicants facilitated by Inspire.

A key element of the Scheme’s process is the assessment of permanent disablement which is conducted by Capita. All Capita clinical assessors are registered and appropriately qualified healthcare professionals with at least two years of experience working in a mental health setting. Capita continues to work closely with the VPB to ensure a victim centric approach is adopted for all individuals that apply to the Scheme.

Our department has provided £5 million of funding to support victims’ and survivors’ representative groups to facilitate recruitment of welfare officers and admin support staff who can assist applicants with the application process. Additional funding has also been made available to provide health and wellbeing support.

We are also supporting the retrieval of evidence on behalf of applicants and the Victims’ Payments Board.