Victim Liaison Officer

Ministry of Justice; United States; Remote; USD 37,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ministry of Justice seeks a Victim Liaison Officer to support victims of crime and their families within the Probation Service's VCS and VNS schemes. You will inform and assist victims at key stages of a sentence or order and contribute to risk assessment and management to protect the public.

You will liaise with criminal justice agencies, travel to meet victims, train new VLOs, and help ensure victims’ views inform decision-making. Excellent English required.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of the criminal justice system and victim support considerations.
• Ability to liaise with victims, families, and professionals with sensitivity.
• Capacity to travel regularly to engage with victims across areas.

Responsibilities

• Liaise with victims and families to inform them about key stages of sentences and orders under VCS/VNS.
• Use computer-based systems to obtain information and maintain records within set timescales.
• Assess risks and needs of victims and families; carry out actions including home or alternate location visits.
• Identify changes in risk/need and refer to senior managers and other agencies as appropriate.
• Carry out safeguarding duties for children and adults in line with statutory responsibilities.
• Ensure effective referrals and communication with probation colleagues and other agencies.
• Represent victims in interprofessional meetings to support risk management and safeguarding.
• Support victims to prepare personal statements for parole proceedings, in person or remotely.
• Provide training and mentoring to new VLOs and educate professionals about VCS/VNS responsibilities.
• Engage in ongoing learning to stay up-to-date with policies and best practices.

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

Responsibilities, Activities & Duties

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties set out below:

• 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 their 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.