Job - Microsoft · Web viewThis new model for support services to victims is the first of its kind in the Dyfed Powys area and challenges all policing and ... whilst remaining professional

Application Pack

Victim Care Officer Dyfed Powys Victim Support Service

Closing date: 17Th Feb 2015 by 9am

Application Pack – Victim Care Officer – Dyfed Powys

BackgroundVictim Support – Who are we?Our services for victims are free and confidential. We give information, practical help and emotional support to anyone who has experienced crime, and to their families and friends.

We provide this service to well over a million people every year, whether or not the crime has been reported, working in partnership with criminal justice and other voluntary agencies.

We have a network of local offices across England and Wales that run and co-ordinate our local services. Both employees and trained volunteers are involved in giving support – with volunteers outnumbering staff by over four to one, operating within 4 ‘localities’.

Our national telephone service, the Victim Supportline, gives support and information, as well as referring callers to our local teams and to other agencies. It deals with around 12,000 calls a year.

Our purpose is to help people find the strength to move on after crime. We give emotional and practical support that is a source of strength and comfort. We make people feel better and use the local understanding of our volunteers and staff to help victim and witnesses take control, so we can all live in a safer more caring society.

Everything Victim Support does will always be based on empathy and an understanding of victim’s and witnesses’ needs, so people are mentally and physically better off after we have helped them. We want to be a force for good in society.

Our vision is to be the world’s best charity for victims and witnesses, with volunteering at the heart of what we do.

It’s a big task; millions of people are affected by crime each year and we need to make sure we meet their needs, whilst supporting positive changes in the criminal justice system. It’s not something we can do alone, so we will work with others where this helps victims and witnesses.

As well as providing services, we are a national voice for victims and witnesses. We campaign for greater awareness of the effects of crime and to increase their rights.

We have also pioneered services for victims and witnesses across the country, for example enhanced and more responsive front-line services, new specifications for helping young victims of crime, and enhanced guidelines for domestic violence. In 2010 we set up the world’s first dedicated support service for people bereaved through homicide.

Our Chief Executive is Mark Castle, who joined the organisation in 2014. He reports to a 12-strong, independent Board of Trustees. Our President is HRH the Princess Royal.

Find out more about us and our work on our website at www.victimsupport.org.uk.

Working with the Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Commissioner

The provision of services for victims in Dyfed Powys spans across a variety of agencies and contracts, including police provision of some, nationally provided services and a variety of organisations in the voluntary, community and faith sector locally.

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http://www.victimsupport.org.uk/


The move from the national grant arrangement with Victim Support to local funding through Police and Crime Commissioners has enabled the implementation of the new Victim Service to begin in April 2015. The proposed model ensures robust service delivery, research and evaluation to inform continuous improvement and a platform from which to champion the needs of victims and to use experiences to directly influence policy makers nationally in the ambition towards victim-centric justice services. This new model for support services to victims is the first of its kind in the Dyfed Powys area, and will challenge all policing and justice agencies to change their approaches and pushes concepts of evidence-based police and service delivery to new levels in the field of victim services.

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Victim Care Officer VacanciesPOST: Victim Care Officer

HOURS: Various Shifts 20 hours and 37.5 hours per week – covering Monday to Saturday

TENURE: Temporary until March 2016 – may be extended if funding permits

BASE: Dyfed Powys Police Headquarters – Carmarthen

SALARY: FTE £18,258.79 per annum + 3 % pay award on successful completion of 6 month probationary period

Victim Support, in partnership with the Police and Crime Commissioner for Dyfed Powys is seeking a number of staff to work in the newly created Victims Service based at Dyfed Powys Police headquarters.

You will be required to undertake comprehensive assessments of the needs of victims and ensure the needs are met using a number of different resources available to you. This new model for support services to victims is the first of its kind in the Dyfed Powys area and challenges all policing and justice agencies to change their approaches and pushes concepts of evidence-based police and service delivery to new levels in the field of victim witness services.

The newly formed service is fully funded by the Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Commissioner and may be extended beyond March 2016

In this position you will contact Victims by telephone to undertake a comprehensive needs assessment and commission a range of services to support identified needs if appropriate. You will refer victims to other agencies and contact approved suppliers to deliver services to victims. You will also direct referrals to appropriate colleagues to allocate Victim Support workers for further support. You will also be required to make follow up contact with Victims to check that the service has been appropriately and satisfactorily delivered. Experience of working in a telephone based work environment would be desirable.

The successful applicant will provide care and specialist advice to victims, and act as the single point of contact throughout the progress of the support package.

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The successful applicant must evidence the following essential experience, specialist skills and knowledge as per the role profile:

Knowledge and/or experience of multi-functional, multi-agency work. Experience of dealing with a wide range of people from a cross section of the

community, in varying circumstances. Proven ability to plan and prioritise your own workload. Excellent communication skills & demonstrable ability to provide advice and

guidance, particularly over the telephone. The ability to speak Welsh is an essential requirement.

The successful applicant must have a proven ability to work diligently, with limited supervision, and to deliver to tight time-scales with the ability to prioritise effectively against conflicting requirements of customers. Skills in MS Office, especially in Word and Excel with the ability to interrogate databases to an advanced level to identify trends, key points and principal issues is essential for this role.The successful post-holder will be confirmed in post following successful police vetting (NPPV Level 3) approval.

The successful applicant will be required to undertake role specific training.

To apply for an application form, please contact Ayshea Watkins, Locality HR Administrator, via email [email protected] or telephone 01782 843908.

The closing date for applications is: Tuesday 17th Feb 2015 at 9am

Interviews for this post will be held on: Monday 2nd March 2015

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mailto:[email protected]


Job description

Job title: Victim Care Officer

Department: Dyfed Powys Victim Service Hub

Reporting to: Team Leader

_________________________________________________________________

Purpose of the job

The Victim Support (VS) Victim will transform services to Victim of Crime in the Dyfed Powys Police force area to become a visionary one-stop-shop for practical and emotional support helping victims cope and recover from the impact of crime and receive the information, explanation and guidance they need throughout the justice process. It will provide consistency of service to victims and relieve some of the pressure on front-line policing. This new service has the pioneering opportunity to commission a fully integrated service in Dyfed Powys.

This new way of working will provide victims with a single point of contact which will be capable of arranging a wide range of short and long-term support, either through VS’s own services or through accredited third sector providers, local statutory and community services.

The provision of information from first contact through to the end of the court process will mean that victims are always kept informed and engaged.

Main Duties

1. Undertake initial victim contact by telephone to improve and maintain rates of successful direct contact made and provide up-to-date and relevant information to victims

2. Prioritise and organise workloads to ensure victims and witnesses are warned for court and kept informed of hearing outcomes adhering to requirements within the Victims Code of Practice and the Witness Charter

3. Carry out a service needs assessment following agreed processes and timescales.

4. Identify service needs, record the results of the assessment and provide a tailored response to every victim and witnesses needs

5. Facilitate the delivery of identified needs by referral on to another appropriate service on behalf of the victim or witness using agreed processes, or by directing referrals to an appropriate colleague

6. Manage victims immediate service needs, where necessary7. Contribute towards risk assessment processes and use safe contact methods

with all victims respecting confidentiality, follow agreed processes for contacting victims of sexual violence, domestic violence, people bereaved by homicide and young people and children

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8. Maintain contact using agreed processes to check that the service has been delivered appropriately or if there are any new service needs.

9. Record all contacts with victims and witnesses securely and accurately, in accordance with procedures for monitoring and evaluation purposes.

10.Develop productive working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders. Be flexible, assisting with colleague’s work in absence, take ownership of queries and issues and manage successful resolutions

11.Liaise with appropriate Victim Support, Police, CPS and HMCTS colleagues to contribute to the effective running of the service

12.Ensure that Victim Support’s national standards and procedures are observed, particularly those relating to safe practice, confidentiality and information sharing.

13.Commission services on behalf of the police and crime commissioner from locally sourced agencies

Generic responsibilities

1. Develop a culture and systems that promote equality and value diversity 2. Promote a health and safety culture within the workplace 3. Manage personal resources and own professional development4. All information must be maintained in accordance with the Data Protection Act5. Undertake other activities as required

Travel

1. Travel may occasionally be require

Unsocial Hours

1. Able to work flexibly including evenings and weekends.

This job description serves to illustrate the type and scope of the duties currently required for the above post and to provide an indication of the required level of responsibility. It is not a comprehensive or exclusive list and duties may be varied from time to time, they will not however change the general character of the job or the level of responsibility entailed.

Date: 1st Feb 2015

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Person specification

Job Title: Victim Care Officer

Department: Dyfed Powys Victim Service Hub ___________________________________________________________________

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

1. Previous experience of working within a statutory, voluntary, community, private social care or customer service environment dealing with members of the public, successfully managing conflict, difficult and sensitive situations. Demonstrable ability to influence people, whilst remaining professional and impartial. (s)

2. Experience of working in a fast paced environment, adhering to deadlines and delivering results through effective planning and organisation of own workload, demonstrating the ability to prioritise and manage demands, even under pressure. (s)

3. Demonstrate the ability to respond to change in the working environment by showing a willingness to adapt and be flexible in changing circumstances, seeking advice from others when change occurs and maintaining work standards as circumstances change. (s)

4. Appreciation of the importance of confidentiality and safe working practice. (s)5. Ability to demonstrate level of awareness of equality and diversity issues

appropriate to this role. (s)

Desirable

1. Understanding of the impact of crime, with knowledge of the Criminal Justice System and relevant local agencies and resources.

Skills and abilities

Essential

1. Excellent verbal and written communication skills demonstrating an ability to confidently relate to a broad spectrum of people in a tactful and sensitive manner. To demonstrate empathy and control own emotions. (s)

2. Good knowledge and experience with Windows based computer applications within a working environment. (s)

3. Able to work flexibly, including some evenings and weekends (s)4. Experience of diverse team working, demonstrated by an understanding how

own objectives fit into team objectives. Builds effective working relationships with a flexible attitude to team roles. (s)

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Desirable

1. Promote Victim Support’s interests and values 2. Demonstrates sound problem solving skills and ability to make appropriate

judgments and decisions, offering practical ideas and innovative solutions but, knowing when to refer upwards for a decision

3. Knowledge of Force and Partner Agency IT systems4. Welsh speaker

(s) = Shortlisting Criteria (9)

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Why work for Victim Support? Benefits and RewardsVictim Support recognises that our people are our greatest assess and we are committed to recognising employees for the work that they do. In return you will receive:

25 days annual leave (plus one additional days leave for each completed year of service up to a maximum of 30 days) plus bank holidays

Enhanced Sick pay scheme

Enhanced Maternity/ paternity/ adoption pay scheme

Death in service benefit

Pension scheme – Victim Support will contribute 5% into the Aegon pension scheme providing you meet the criteria and make the necessary employee contributions

Child Care Voucher Scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Travel Season Ticket Loan Scheme

Access to Bupa Healthline

Discounted gym and health club membership scheme

Study Assistance for professional development

Voluntary benefits platform ‘You Choose’ which gives employees access to retail discounts (including shopping, holiday, breakdown cover, insurance discounts) and many other great offers. Updated regularly.

Victim Support is an equal opportunities employer

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How to apply Please request and application pack and complete and return to:

Ayshea Watkins, Locality HR Administrator, Victim Support, Winton House, Stoke Road, Shelton, Stoke-on-Trent ST2 2RW

Or email: [email protected]

Telephone: 01782 843907

The closing date to receive applications is 17th February 2015

Interviews for this position are scheduled to be held on 2nd March 2015

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mailto:[email protected]


Equal opportunities statementVictim Support is an equal opportunities employer. Our policy is to ensure that no victim, witness, employee, volunteer, trustee, or job applicant receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of ethnicity, religion/faith, age, gender/gender identity, marital status, sexual orientation or disability, or is disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown as justifiable.

Selection criteria and procedures are regularly reviewed to make sure that individuals are selected and treated on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Employees will be given equal opportunity and, where appropriate, special training, to enable them to progress within the organisation.

Victim Support’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee are committed to a programme of action to make this policy effective and will bring it to the attention of all employees.

Diversity statementVictim Support takes pride in being a diverse organisation, enriched by the participation of all individuals and communities. We recognise that prejudice and discrimination continue to result in unfair treatment for many people. We are committed to addressing this by:

ensuring the effectiveness of our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy being clear and open about our values and promoting them listening, learning and taking action to bring about change.

Our diversity statement is “Diversity matters and we value it”

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Guidance notes for applicantsCompleting the application form/ expressing an interestWe are only able to consider the information that you provide us with, so it is vital that you tell us everything that makes you the ideal candidate for this position. It is not sufficient to say that you have the relevant experience, skills or ability you need to provide specific examples. A good tip is to refer to the job description and think how your experience will support these requirements and back them up with relevant examples of work that you have done.

Shortlisting

There are usually at least two people on the selection panel and they will consider your application form objectively. They will assess whether you have addressed the shortlisting criteria detailed in the person specification and whether you have provided sufficient evidence.

The selection panel will shortlist the candidates who have best demonstrated that they meet the requirements. Please remember that the selection panel cannot make assumptions about what is written within your application, so be explicit about how you meet the criteria.

Disability

Disability is defined under the Equality Act 2010 as ‘someone who has a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his or her ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities’. Disability also includes non-visible disabilities such as dyslexia and diabetes.

Victim Support will endeavour to ensure people with disabilities who meet the standard for shortlisting criteria will be guaranteed an interview.

If successful in the post, and you declare a disability, we will ask you to complete a ‘reasonable adjustment’ form in order that any required adjustments can be addressed.

Please note: Since the application process is via CV, applicants are requested to state clearly within the cover letter whether they require adjustments to attend interview.

Interview

If you are successful at the shortlisting stage, we will invite you to attend an interview, which will last around 60 minutes. There will usually be at least two people on the panel and they will ask you a set of structured questions based on the competencies outlined in the job description so it would be useful to make yourself familiar with this prior to the interview.

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Other selection methods

Depending upon the post, we may use other selection methods in addition to the interview. These are often very specific to the post and are likely to involve completing a task which would be carried out in the role, such as a written exercise. We may also ask you to make a presentation to the panel. If you have difficulties carrying out an assessment due to a disability, please contact us so we can find an appropriate way to assess your suitability for the role.

References

We will only request references for candidates who have been successful following interview. The reference details that you give in your application form or upon request need to include your current or most recent employer and another work (paid or unpaid) or educational reference. Personal references from friends or family will not be accepted. All offers of employment will be subject to two references which are satisfactory to Victim Support.

Criminal records

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Some posts within Victim Support are exempt from some provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 because they involve working with vulnerable adults or children, or access to sensitive information. In these cases, Victim Support is entitled to ask for details of all spent and unspent convictions.

If you are successful in being appointed to one of these posts, we will ask you to complete a form for the Disclosure and Barring Scheme (DBS) and any offer of employment will be subject to a satisfactory DBS check and signing up to the DBS Update Service.

A criminal record will not necessarily prevent you being employed by Victim Support and we will consider each case individually. Full copies of our policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders and our secure handling policy with regards to DBS checks are available upon request.

Work permit

Any applicant who is not an EU citizen may need a work permit to work in the UK. If you are appointed, we will apply for a work permit on your behalf if we are able to do so. Any offer of employment we make will be subject to a satisfactory work permit in these circumstances.

Successful candidates

If you are successful, we will usually telephone you to offer you the post verbally. We will also send you a formal written offer and this will be subject to pre-employment checks which are satisfactory to us.

Health

If you are successful and an offer of employment is made to you then we will send you a post offer reasonable adjustments questionnaire. The aim of this it to find out what reasonable adjustments the organisation is able to make to support you in your role from day one. In certain circumstances if specific adjustments are required we may request to seek specialist advice from your GP or an occupational health specialist.

Unsuccessful candidates

Although we would like to inform all candidates whether they have been successful or not at the shortlisting stage, as a charity we are mindful of the costs involved. Therefore, if you have not been contacted within four weeks of the closing date, you should take it that you have not been shortlisted on this occasion. We will however, contact all unsuccessful candidates in writing after the interview.

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Feedback

If you have been unsuccessful at interview and would like feedback, you can request this from the selection panel. Details on who to contact to obtain this will be provided to you after the interview.

Data protection

We will treat your application in the strictest confidence. We will keep the information we collect through the recruitment process for unsuccessful applicants/candidates on file for six months and we will then shred it. If you are successful, we will keep relevant information on your personnel file.

We hope that you are successful in your application. However, if you are not, please do not be discouraged from applying for other posts in the organisation. Thank you for your interest in Victim Support.

Useful links:

Victim Support - www.victimsupport.org.uk

Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Commissioner – www.dyfed-powys.pcc.police.uk

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http://www.dyfed-powys.pcc.police.uk/

http://www.victimsupport.org.uk/

Documents

Job - Microsoft · Web viewThis new model for support services to victims is the first of its kind in the Dyfed Powys area and challenges all policing and ... whilst remaining professional