20464 Victim Liaison Officer Fixed term to end on 30th June 2027- Permanent Full Time
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Job Summary
Overview of the job
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 offenders 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.
Summary
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 offenders 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 offenders 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.
This post is open to candidates on lateral transfer as a loan / detached duty.
For internal candidates applying on promotion the post will be a temporary act up with a loan / detached duty agreement in place.
For External Candidates the post will be on a fixed term contract. You must seek permission from your manager and Head of Service before applying for this role.
Please make sure that you are using theSTARmethod when answering the interviewquestions.
The STAR method is a structured approach to answering interview questions by outlining theSituationTaskActionandResultofyourexperiences.
Sifting on a lead behaviour - Should a large number of applications be received an initial sift may be undertaken using the lead behaviour communicating and influencing . Candidates who pass the initial sift will progress to full sift or progress straight to interview.
A statement of suitability (500 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills qualities and experience evidence of your suitability for this role in reference to the essential criteria.
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). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Hybrid Working will not suit everyones 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 aMoJoffice 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 MoJs 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 withthe HMPPS Flexible Working policy.
Benefits
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 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 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
Staff on fixed term appointments must have been recruited through fair and open competition.
All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post.
Vacancies advertised cross-government are only open to all Civil Service employees and employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) who were appointed on merit following a fair and open competition; or were appointed to a permanent post through an exception in the Civil Service Commissioners rules.
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 onorChildcare Choices.You can determine your eligibility at
- Paid paternity adoption and maternity leave.
- Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.
Working for the Civil Service
TheCivil Service Codesets 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 Commissionsrecruitment 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 (0(Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail);
- To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team();
- To the Civil Service Commission (details availablehere)
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.
You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team.
For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition please watch our animated videos.
Diversity & Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Planand theCivil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.
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.
MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.
Civil Service Nationality Rules
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU Switzerland Norway Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- nationals of the EU Switzerland Norway Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals and certain family members of Turkish nationals who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) list
A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.
- PS-JES-0046 Band 4 Victim Liaison Officer JD (Job Description Attachment)
Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application however all examples and statements provided must be truthful factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others or generated by artificial intelligence as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary see ourcandidate guidancefor more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Required Experience:
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