Independent Witness Advocate

Victim Support; City of Westminster; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A national charity organization in the UK seeks an Independent Witness Advocate. This role offers hybrid working (1 day in London office, 4 days home-based). Responsibilities include providing support to witnesses, advocacy, and liaising with criminal justice partners. Ideal candidates will demonstrate resilience, empathy, and strong customer service skills. This position provides an opportunity to make a significant difference in the lives of those affected by crime, contributing to a supportive environment and ensuring witnesses receive the necessary assistance to attend court.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Generous annual leave

Birthday leave

Welcome bonus

Pension plan

Enhanced allowances

Exclusive discounts

Wellbeing support

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in providing advocacy and support to individuals within the criminal justice system.
• Ability to work flexibly and provide emotional support.
• Knowledge of the needs of witnesses and the court process.

Responsibilities

• Provide pre-trial, outreach & post-trial support for witnesses.
• Liaise with criminal justice partners and keep witnesses informed.
• Deliver practical and emotional support to witnesses attending court.

Skills

Resilience

Adaptability

Customer service

Empathy

Problem solving

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for Independent Witness Advocates to join the Pre‑trial witness support service, working 37.5 hours a week.

This role requires working from our Victim Support London office on Tuesday & 4 days home based; however, travel to London courts will be required throughout the week to attend pre‑trial visits.

Do you want to make a difference every day? Do you want to contribute to change & improvement for those who need it?

Do you have resilience & adaptability? Can you work effectively with a focus on customer service and care? If yes, then we'd love to hear from you…

What we offer:

• Flexible Working Options: Including hybrid working.
• Generous Annual Leave: 28 days plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 33 days plus Bank Holidays, with options to buy or sell annual leave.
• Birthday Leave: An extra day off for your birthday.
• Welcome Bonus: £500 on successful completion of probation period.
• Pension Plan: 5% employer contribution.
• Enhanced Allowances: Enhanced sick pay, maternity, and paternity payments.
• Exclusive Discounts: High Street, retail, holiday, gym, entertainment, and leisure discounts.
• Financial Wellbeing: Access to our financial wellbeing hub and salary‑deducted finance.
• Wellbeing Support: Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support.
• Inclusive Networks: Access to EDI networks and colleague cafes.
• Sustainable Travel: Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loans.
• Career Development: Ongoing training and support with opportunities for career progression.

About the role:

These roles are offered on a hybrid working basis, 1 day per week from our London Singer Street office (every Tuesday). The remaining 4 days per week will be home‑based but you will still need to travel to London courts to deliver pre‑trial visits. Therefore, it is essential that the travel distance from surrounding counties outside of London is within 30 minutes to London.

As an Independent Witness Advocate you will:

• Lead on providing pre‑trial, outreach & post‑trial support for witnesses; ensuring their needs are assessed and a plan for support is put in place so they can attend court to give their best evidence.
• Provide advocacy, support in court, and emotional/practical support around their physical, mental, social or financial wellbeing.
• Liaise with criminal justice partners to ensure witnesses are kept up to date with arrangements for attendance at court and, where applicable, ensure special measures have been granted.
• Provide practical and emotional support in a way that is approachable, flexible and caring, showing empathy at all times.
• Be tenacious in support of your clients and able to solve problems and surmount the challenges posed by the criminal justice system.

About Us:

Victim Support is an independent charity dedicated to supporting people affected by crime and traumatic incidents in England and Wales. We put them at the heart of our organisation and our support and campaigns are informed and shaped by them and their experiences.

Victim Support are committed to recruiting with care and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Background checks and Disclosed Barring Service checks may be required.

At Victim Support, we're proud to celebrate diversity and create a workplace where everyone feels they belong. We are committed to being an antiracist organisation, and we actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those from Black and Asian and other minoritised communities.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we will offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet all essential criteria for a job where it is practicable to do so. We are also happy to make reasonable adjustments during the recruitment and selection process.

How to apply:

To apply for this role please follow the link below to the Jobs page on our website and complete the application form demonstrating how you meet the essential shortlisting criteria.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive enough suitable applications to take forward to interview prior to the published closing date. If you have already registered & started an application, then we will contact you to advise of the amended closing date wherever possible.