Community Safety Officer – AR

Carrington Blake Recruitment; Blyth; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Northumberland County Council is seeking an experienced Community Safety Officer to investigate and manage anti-social behaviour (ASB) cases affecting council housing and local communities.

You will work with Northumbria Police, housing and safeguarding teams to resolve complex ASB and crime issues, handling reactive and proactive duties and developing sustainable safety solutions for residents.

Qualifications

• Considerable experience in Community Safety, ASB or similar.
• Experience investigating high-level/complex ASB cases.
• Experience in local authorities, housing associations or public sector.

Responsibilities

• Investigate complex anti-social behaviour cases across Council housing stock and public areas.
• Manage a caseload from initial complaint through investigation, enforcement and resolution.
• Conduct home visits, interviews and site visits with victims, witnesses, and alleged perpetrators.
• Gather and assess evidence including witness statements, CCTV and surveillance information.
• Coordinate with Northumbria Police and partner agencies; participate in out-of-hours operations.

Skills

ASB investigation

Housing enforcement

Case management

Evidence gathering

Partnership working

Court proceedings

Education

Full UK driving licence

Tools

Microsoft Office

Databases

Case management systems

Job description

Community Safety Officer

Client: Northumberland County Council
Service: Public Health / Public Protection
Reporting to: Senior Community Safety Officer
Location: Northumberland – Area/Centre Office
Band: 7
Working Pattern: Flexible, with occasional evenings, nights, weekends and Bank Holidays

Job Purpose

Northumberland County Council is seeking an experienced Community Safety Officer to investigate and manage anti-social behaviour (ASB) cases, particularly those affecting Council housing stock and local communities.

The successful candidate will manage a day-to-day caseload, gather evidence, undertake investigations and work closely with Northumbria Police, Housing, Safeguarding, Adult and Children’s Services and other partner agencies to resolve complex ASB and crime and disorder issues.

The role will involve both reactive and proactive work to reduce ASB, protect victims and witnesses, improve community safety and develop sustainable solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Investigate complex and high-level anti-social behaviour cases across Council housing stock and public areas.
• Manage a caseload from initial complaint through investigation, enforcement and resolution.
• Conduct home visits, interviews and site visits with victims, witnesses and alleged perpetrators.
• Gather and assess evidence, including witness statements, CCTV and surveillance information.
• Coordinate and participate in operations with Northumbria Police and other partner agencies, including occasional out-of-hours operations.
• Represent Northumberland County Council at ASB case reviews / Community Trigger meetings.
• Attend partnership and safeguarding meetings and contribute to multi-agency problem solving.
• Take appropriate enforcement action in line with legislation, Council policies and enforcement procedures.
• Enforce tenancy conditions and address ASB relating to Council housing.
• Prepare witness statements, case files and court bundles.
• Attend Court on behalf of the Council and provide evidence when required.
• Ensure court orders and other enforcement actions are properly served and followed up.
• Provide appropriate support to victims and witnesses.
• Develop and implement proactive approaches to prevent and reduce ASB.
• Develop sustainable solutions to recurring community safety problems.
• Prepare, deliver and manage Acceptable Behaviour Agreements (ABAs).
• Work with communities, residents’ groups and partner organisations to create safer and more cohesive neighbourhoods.
• Identify and support relevant funding opportunities for crime and disorder initiatives.
• Develop and deliver training to partners on multi-agency approaches to problem solving.
• Maintain accurate and comprehensive case records, reports and databases.
• Deputise for the Senior Community Safety Officer when required.
• Keep up to date with legislation, guidance and best practice relating to housing management, ASB and crime and disorder.

Essential Experience

• Considerable recent experience in a Community Safety, ASB, Housing Enforcement or similar role.
• Proven experience investigating and resolving high-level/complex ASB cases.
• Experience working within a local authority, housing association or similar public-sector environment.
• Experience of housing management and enforcing tenancy conditions.
• Experience working with Police and other internal/external partner agencies.
• Experience preparing witness statements and detailed case records.
• Experience preparing court bundles and/or attending Court in relation to ASB or housing enforcement cases.
• Experience of working with victims, witnesses and perpetrators of ASB.
• Experience of investigation, evidence gathering and enforcement procedures.

Essential Knowledge

• Good knowledge of housing management and ASB legislation.
• Knowledge of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
• Knowledge of the Housing Acts 1985 and 1996.
• Understanding of criminal and civil court procedures.
• Knowledge of investigatory techniques and relevant legislation, including RIPA and PACE.
• Understanding of crime and disorder legislation and relevant Council policies.
• Knowledge of appropriate enforcement options and procedures.

Essential Skills

• Strong investigative and analytical skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to produce clear, accurate reports, statements and case documentation.
• Strong negotiation, conflict management and mediation skills.
• Ability to deal confidently with challenging and potentially confrontational individuals.
• Ability to prioritise and manage a complex caseload independently.
• Strong partnership-working and relationship-building skills.
• Competent using Microsoft Office, databases and case management systems.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to communicate effectively with residents, elected members, Police and professional partners.
• Ability to use relevant technical equipment, including CCTV/surveillance equipment.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Good overall standard of education.
• Full UK driving licence is essential.
• Must be able to travel throughout the County and undertake home/site visits.
• Must be able to work flexibly, including occasional evenings, nights, weekends and Bank Holidays.
• Comfortable working both in an office environment and independently in the community.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will be an experienced ASB/Housing Enforcement professional who is confident managing complex cases from investigation through to enforcement and, where necessary, Court proceedings.

They will have strong knowledge of housing and ASB legislation, excellent evidence-gathering and case management skills, and proven experience working with Police, safeguarding and other partner agencies.

Experience within a local authority or housing environment, particularly dealing with high-level ASB and tenancy enforcement, is highly desirable.