Vacancy Information

The volunteer role is to support in Sussex to facilitate vulnerable victims & witnesses giving evidence in remote live link sites and/or Police video enabled justice rooms. This will include the setting up of the equipment and ‘meet & greet’ when the witness arrives at the live link location. This role is in conjunction with volunteers from Victim Support.

Roles are available, in West Sussex (Arun area) Brighton and Hove and Hastings area.

The Role & Key Responsibilities

The volunteer would be responsible for the practical management of the live link sites in Sussex on the day of the trial, to allow vulnerable victims and witnesses to give evidence away from a Court building. These sites will include both Video Enabled Justice (VEJ) rooms within police stations and Remote Live Link sites which are located East, West and Central. The Witness Care Officers within the Police Criminal Justice Unit (CJU) will be responsible for liaising with the post holder to assess their availability and to provide them with details of the venue, timings and any other relevant information that may affect the way they interact with the victim or witnesses.

As the live link rooms are an extension of the Court, the volunteer would need to ensure the room is set up ready for use, they comply with current government and force guidelines such as accommodating any social distancing requirements and that they carry out any necessary sanitisation of equipment.

The volunteer will meet the victims /witnesses when they arrive and ensure that they stay with them whilst they are on police premises, with the exception being whilst they are in the live link room giving evidence. In this instance, they would wait nearby.

The volunteer will work alongside volunteers from Victim Support (Citizens Advice Witness Service and Young Witness Service) who would offer the emotional support to Victims and Witnesses. Professional boundaries are important, so each volunteer is clear about their role and victims and witnesses feel supported and safe.

Once the victim/witness has given their evidence, the post holder will be responsible for seeing them out of the building, switching off the equipment and carry out any necessary sanitisation of the room. The volunteer will ring the Witness Care Officer to confirm that the victim/witness has finished giving their evidence and left.

The volunteer will at times be working with a minimal amount of intervention/supervision and will be accountable to the Criminal Justice Managers. The volunteer will be expected to make decisions and use their initiative.

Skills & Experience

* To ensure the live link room is compliant with current government and force guidelines.

* To ensure all equipment is set-up and ready for use in accordance with the guidance provided.

* To act as a point of contact and meet with the witness on arrival at the agreed location. To remain with the witness whilst they are on police premises.

* To print, provide and shred the witness statement for familiarisation of evidence.

* To liaise with the Witness Care Officer from the Criminal Justice Unit once the victim/witness has left the location.

* To complete any occasional mandatory training sessions in order to maintain continued professional development.

* To submit and claim for any expenses (mileage) to the Criminal Justice Managers within two months of the expenses being incurred.

Why Volunteer With Us?

* IT Skills including familiarity with Microsoft Outlook- Experience of dealing directly with members of the public and providing a high level of customer service.

* Able to communicate effectively with a wide range of people.

* Able to work without direct supervision and demonstrate a high level of self-management, motivation, drive and determination.

* Able to demonstrate a respect for the opinions, circumstances and feelings of others.

* Possess a high level of integrity and resilience.

* Ability to work within agreed professional boundaries with colleagues within Sussex Police and externally

Further Information

Please contact volunteer@sussex.police.uk if you have any additional questions.

Additional Information

Following submission of your application you will receive a confirmation email with a copy of your application attached. Occasionally emails from this address can fall into spam/junk folders so please ensure this is checked regularly. You may wish to consider adding noreply@surreysussexpolice.as.recruitmail.com to your address/contact list to ensure you receive all communications.

Diversity Statement

We are only as good as our people.  It's really important that our officers and staff can be themselves in the workplace and we know that as an organisation we'll grow from the variety of thinking, approach and skills that diversity brings; all of which help us to deliver a better policing service. We strive to ensure how we deliver our services, provide information and how we recruit is open and accessible to all.

We have multiple staff support groups who help to improve our understanding of minority issues and ensure they are reflected in our work. We are proud members of the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index and Disability Confident, a signatory of the Race at Work Charter and aligned with the Armed Forces Covenant and the HeForShe movement.

We value the differences that people bring from all backgrounds and communities. Regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, disability, social status or religious belief, we would love to hear from you.

Please use the following links to find out more on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at Surrey Police and Sussex Police