Victim Liaison Officer

Ministry of Justice; Doncaster; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Pension

Training

Flexible working

Annual leave

Job summary

The Ministry of Justice in the United Kingdom is recruiting a Victim Liaison Officer to support victims and families, assisting in risk assessment and safeguarding during an offender's sentence or order.

You will liaise with criminal justice partners, provide timely information on developments, and help victims participate by preparing statements for parole boards, with duties conducted in line with PS policies.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 GCSEs at grade C or above, including English and Maths.
• Experience liaising with victims and professionals to support risk management.
• Ability to work within policies and maintain confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Liaise with victims and families to inform them of key stages of the offender's sentence or hospital order.
• Use computer-based systems to maintain records relating to victims in agreed timescales.
• Assess risks and needs and complete actions within required timescales.
• Identify changes in risk or need and refer to senior managers as appropriate.
• Carry out safeguarding duties in line with PS responsibilities and policies.
• Represent victims in interprofessional meetings to support risk management.
• Support victims to write or present statements for parole board, remotely or in person.
• Provide training and mentoring to new VLOs and educate professionals about VCS and VNS.
• Engage in ongoing learning and complete mandatory training.
• Provide cover within the victim liaison unit as appropriate.

Skills

Communication

Liaison

Risk assessment

Education

GCSEs including English and Maths

Job description

The job holder will work with victims of crime and victims' families who are participating in, or are being considered for inclusion in, the statutory Probation Service (PS) Victim Contact Scheme (VCS) or Victim Notification Scheme (VNS). The job holder will work in accordance with the PS VCS and VNS Guidance, relevant policies, and legislation to contribute to the assessment and management of risk posed by offenders in order to protect the public. They will liaise with victims and their families to provide them with information about significant developments during the offender's sentence or order and enable victims and their families to participate by making representations to inform decision‑making around risk management. The job holder will also liaise with relevant professionals across organisations and contribute to inter‑agency meetings to ensure that the views of victims and their families have been considered., The post holder will have direct contact with individuals and their families who have been victims of serious crimes, including those involving violent, sexual, or stalking and harassment offences. The key roles of the Victim Liaison Officer (VLO) are to:

• Provide information to victims and their families during the key stages of the offender's sentence/hospital order and contribute towards the assessment and management of the risk of harm to victims and their families.
• Liaise with, provide, and analyse information for, and give advice to criminal justice agencies and other partner agencies to ensure that the perspectives of victims and their families have been considered.
• Work in partnership with other agencies with the aim of preventing reoffending and meet the needs of victims, whilst considering the rights and needs of offenders.

The post holder requires knowledge and understanding of the criminal justice system, including the functions of the courts, prisons, probation, and the Parole Board, as well as Youth Justice Services and the arrangements for Mentally Disordered Offenders. The post holder will be required to travel on a regular basis to maintain contact with victims, their families, and other professionals who may be based across rural and urban areas. The post holder must work within the aims and values of the PS and HM Prison and Probation Service. The post holder must adhere to all policies in respect of the sensitive/confidential nature of the information handled whilst working in this position. Some out of hours working may be required during the week and weekends.

This includes demonstrating a commitment to equality and inclusion in line with PS policies and procedures.

Responsibilities, Activities & Duties

• Liaise with the victims and their families to ensure they are informed about key stages and developments regarding an offender's sentence or hospital order as set out in the VCS and VNS.
• Use computer‑based administrative systems to obtain relevant information and to produce, update and maintain records relating to victims, and other documentation, within agreed timescales.
• Assess the risks and needs of victims and their families and complete any required actions within appropriate timescales including home and/or alternate location visits as required in accordance with the PS VCS and VNS Guidance.
• Identify changes in risk or need and refer to senior managers and professionals in other agencies as appropriate.
• Carry out safeguarding children and safeguarding adult duties in accordance with the PS statutory responsibilities and agency policies.
• Ensure effective referrals to, and communication with, other probation colleagues and professionals in other agencies.
• Participate in a range of interprofessional meetings to represent victims and the families (and/or the PS) to support risk management and safeguarding of victims.
• Carry out duties in accordance with policies and legislation governing parole proceedings, and to support victims and their families to write a personal statement and/or present their statement to the parole board in person or remotely.
• Provide training and mentoring support to new VLOs and other probation practitioners and educate professionals from other agencies about the VCS and VNS and their responsibilities.
• Engage in ongoing learning and development to maintain up‑to‑date knowledge and understanding of current policies, legislation, and best practice, including completion of all mandatory training.
• Provide cover within the victim liaison unit as appropriate.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and are not intended to be exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Significant adjustments may require re‑examination under the Job Evaluation Scheme and shall be discussed in the first instance with the job holder. An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English or (where specified in Wales) Welsh.

Hybrid Working Arrangements

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). 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 roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre‑employment checks. 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. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week excluding breaks which are unpaid. HMPPS 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 HMPPS' Flexible Working policy.

Technical

• Minimum 5 GCSEs at Grade C or above, including English and Maths.

The MoJ offers a range of benefits

• Annual Leave Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years' service, plus public holidays. Leave for part‑time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro‑rata basis
• Pension The National Probation Service is covered by the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) run through the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF). Please visit www.gmpf.org.uk for further information. Please note: Any current Civil Servant who is a member of the PCSPS, by accepting an offer of employment to the National Probation Services will be opted out of the PCSPS and auto enrolled into the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Training The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.
• Networks The opportunity to join employee‑run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.
• Eligibility All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post
• Support 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.

Contact

• To Transformative Business Services (0345 241 5358 (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)

As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

Diversity & Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.

Redeployment Interview Scheme Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.