Expert panel to support victims of disasters

The government has unveiled plans for an expert panel to support survivors and the bereaved of major disasters like the Manchester Arena attack and the Grenfell Tower fire.

The panel will act to represent families as a new Independent Public Advocate with the aim of ensuring that the voices of victims and their families are better heard, from the immediate aftermath of a tragedy until all inquiries and inquests have concluded.

The panel will be made up of people appointed on their relevant expertise and their experience working with public authorities. This could include former social workers, ex-civil servants, retired doctors, emergency services, professionals with media experience and community leaders.

The trained advocated will provide practical support to those who have suffered life-changing injuries, families and the bereaved, including: signposting them to financial, physical and mental health services such as Victim Support, the Homicide Service and any charities established as a result of a major disaster and providing them with regular updates about the investigation including helping them receive information at inquests or inquiries. Advocates will also make sure those affected by disasters understand processes and their rights, so they can fully participate in the investigation where there is a right for them to do so and advocate on their behalf to public authorities and government, providing a direct channel to voice concerns around the responsiveness of organisations such as the police or local councils.

The intervention delivers on a previous manifesto commitment to create an Independent Public Advocate by the then Prime Minister Theresa May MP, who said: "I welcome the introduction of an Independent Public Advocate which was a commitment in our 2017 manifesto. I look forward to working with the government to ensure that it delivers the support needed in the aftermath of a public disaster so that families don’t have to go through years of struggle to get to the truth as happened after Hillsborough."

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