Bailiff

Ministry of Justice; Southend-on-Sea; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Family friendly policies

Flexible benefits

Free annual sight tests

Paid paternity/maternity leave

Job summary

Ministry of Justice is looking for a Bailiff to visit households and businesses, explain processes, and offer options to resolve matters with empathy and clarity.

You will receive full bailiff training on Court Management systems, with mentoring in the field and regular travel across Essex. A valid GB driving licence and a flexible approach to hybrid working are essential.

Qualifications

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to handle difficult conversations with empathy.
• Strong ability to provide clear information and guidance.
• Proficiency with IT systems and inputting data.

Responsibilities

• Visit people in homes and businesses to explain why you are visiting and what options are available to resolve matters.
• Demonstrate empathy and remain non-judgmental while carrying out duties.
• Receive training on Court Management systems and work with mentoring from experienced staff.
• Travel within Essex and occasionally to nearby areas as required.

Skills

Communication skills

Handling difficult conversations

Information delivery

IT literacy

Tools

Court management systems

Job description

As a Bailiff you will be visiting people in their homes and businesses, you must be able to calmly explain why you are visiting and what options are available to help resolve matters. You must be able to demonstrate empathy for court users, be non-judgmental but focussed on carrying out your role whilst fully respecting the customers that you meet. This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a supportive team. Our work is varied and rewarding, attracting people from all backgrounds and walks of life. You will receive full bailiff training which includes training on the Court Management systems and then are further supported with mentoring from an experienced member of staff whilst out in the field. Not to be confused with private Bailiffs, this role gives you the opportunity to make a difference in HMCTS and develop your career within the Civil Service. You will be required to use your own car, but we give you the option to lease a car following successful completion of your probation period (UK driving licence required for a lease car). A full licence entitling you to drive permanently in Great Britain is essential. Fuel allowances are paid. You will receive full PPE and safety training to give you the knowledge and confidence to conduct your bailiff duties successfully.

Please refer to the role profile attachment for more information. Further information: Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week (Monday to Friday). Whilst the role is full time only, HMCTS operates a flexible approach to working hours to suit both individual and business needs. Occasional travel to other courts Although you will be based at Southend County and Family Court, you will be required to travel throughout Essex undertaking court related duties. Attendance at Chelmsford Justice Centre and Basildon Combined Court is a regular operational requirement. Due to the geographical proximity and operational demand, support may occasionally be required in bordering areas of Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. Where applicable, travel time and associated expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with HMCTS policies and procedures. Skilled Worker Visa From 22 July 2025, the Government increased the salary threshold and skills level for Skilled Worker visas. This role does not meet the eligibility criteria for sponsorship in accordance with the current immigration rules if you looking to apply for a Skilled Worker Visa for the first time. The Department cannot consider sponsoring you for this role unless you have held a Skilled Worker visa continuously since before 22 July 2025. If you have held a Skilled Worker visa continuously, please raise this during your vetting checks and eligibility will be assessed in accordance with the immigration rules and transitional provisions in place. If you are applying for this role and you do not meet the new eligibility criteria for sponsorship (or the transitional provisions), you will need to consider your options for obtaining and/or maintaining your right to work in the UK in light of these changes. Successful applicants must ensure they have and maintain the legal right to live and work in the Civil Service and in the United Kingdom. The Department will continue to comply with UK Immigration Rules applied in the UK and Civil Service. You can read more about Skilled Worker visas and the eligibility criteria here. Additional Information Working Arrangements & Further Information The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity. Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone's circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review. For nationally advertised role: all successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale. This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation, a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO) - See Map. All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity). For current MoJ employees, your base location will need to be changed to the nearest viable office (to your home postcode), either at a HQ building, JCC or JSO within the National Office Network and moved its location's respective pay scale (any legacy arrangements/locations will need to be amended). Some of MoJ's terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made. MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer. All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet. Flexible working hours The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ's Flexible Working policy., A full licence entitling you to drive permanently in Great Britain Statement of Suitability Guidance for the Statement of Suitability Please tell us why you are suitable for this role. Demonstrate your transferable skills, knowledge, and experience in relation to the essential criteria outlined in the job description: Great communication skills - both written and verbal, Commitment to providing a brilliant service for our customers, Ability to handle difficult conversations, Ability to provide information, quickly and clearly, A real passion for supporting and helping people, ability to technology for inputting, emails, etc. You may use examples from work, education, volunteering, or other relevant experiences. To achieve the highest scores, we strongly encourage you to use the full word count. Provide personalised, real-life evidence, clearly linking your experience to the essential criteria Evidence of Experience CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability Interview stage assessments Interview Dates Face to Face Interviews are expected from 19th November, subject to change. Behaviours Making Effective Decisions Managing a Quality Service Communicating and Influencing Strengths Strengths will be assessed but these are not shared in advance. To learn more about Strengths and how they are assessed. Level of security checks required DBS Standard
If you have excellent customer service skills, prefer working away from an office, enjoy working by yourself or in a small team and like your days to be varied and flexible, then working as a bailiff may be the job for you. To be a successful Bailiff, you will be an excellent communicator. You need to be able to swiftly assess circumstances, adapt accordingly and be a confident leader in emotionally charged situations. You should be familiar with using IT and be comfortable with receiving training on the courts case management systems.

• A range of 'Family Friendly' policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
• Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
• For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www.GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
• Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
• Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order.

• To Transformative Business Services (0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail [e-mail]);
• To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team ([e-mail]);
• To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)