Witness Care Officer

We currently have 2 vacancies for Witness Care Officers to join our team in the Witness Care Unit - part of the Criminal Justice Department of Nottinghamshire Police.

As a Witness Care Officer, you will work as part of a close-knit team made up of 13 Witness Care Officers, 3 Administration Assistants, and 1 Team Leader.

The role of the Witness Care Officer is to provide court outcomes, updates, information and practical support to victims and witnesses who have provided statements to Nottinghamshire Police in criminal matters moving through the Courts. WCOs deal with the full spectrum of cases from shop thefts right through to the most serious offences such as serious assaults and fatalities.

WCOs arrange, where appropriate, travel, accommodation, interpreters, and childcare for witnesses/victims required to attend court. They gain and provide witness availabilities to CPS to aid in setting trial dates. They inform victims and witnesses of late changes to trial schedules and make onward referrals to third sector organizations which provide emotional and other types of support to victims and witnesses.

The role is office based and contact with victims/witnesses is via phone, email, letter, SMS TXT, etc…

As a WCO you will also liaise with police officers, the Crown Prosecution (CPS) and His Majesty's Court and Tribunal Service (HMCTS) working to support effective trials in both Magistrates and Crown Court.

The successful candidate will have experience providing services or support to clients in a sensitive and supportive manner in a pressurized environment, have excellent communication skills, be detail focused and have the capacity to maintain professionalism and empathy while managing a caseload and working to strict deadlines. Occasional late shift working as part of a pre-planned team Rota is required.

The ability to maintain a certain level of emotional detachment from clients and cases while providing a victim centered service is key.