About the role:
The post is challenging, including repeated exposure to death, bereavement, and distressing material. There is no scope for negotiating the level of pay, nor the annual leave entitlement, both comply with the Police Staff Handbook. There is also an expectation that the successful candidate would be office-based for a minimum of two days per week (full-time staff work three). In terms of working hours, this post is a job share with each individual working two days a week in Week 1 (14.8hrs), and three days a week in Week 2 (22.2hrs).
Job Description:
The principal responsibility of the Coroners Officer is to fully investigate, from the point of referral from medical professionals, Police and other agencies, all deaths for HM Coroner. To submit evidence for HM Coroners’ decisions and to gather evidence to produce case files for use in a court of law, including complex cases subject to scrutiny by a jury. To make enquiries into potential treasure finds.
In particular to:
- Act as representative of H M Coroner and in particular, to:
- Record, assess and investigate all deaths reported to the coroners’ service, obtaining all relevant information - including medical, social and antecedent history, accurately and in a timely manner; complying with the law in all cases.
- To fully investigate any death reported and to interrogate and analyse information for submission to HM Coroner for judicial decisions.
- Gather information for the coroner and pathologist, arrange transport of the body, the post mortem examination and release as appropriate to the legally entitled person.
- Attend post-mortem examinations as directed by HM Coroner or line management.
- Arrange, attend and manage identification processes and gather evidence to assist the coroner in establishing the identity of the deceased.
- Work in the presence of dead bodies, including a mortuary environment.
- Attend and record scenes of death as directed by the coroner and ensure that all evidence for the coroner is safeguarded.
- Attend Hospitals, Prisons, Care Homes and other locations as required, to interview witnesses and record evidence by statement or other method as necessitated by the investigation.
- Work alongside partner agencies to thoroughly investigate, manage and support all enquiries for HM Coroner, and inform and provide guidance to properly interested persons, other agencies / professionals as appropriate to meet legal obligations.
- Use and understand medical and biological terminology to identify medical treatment, any associated potential medical consequences and failings of hospital doctors, GPs or other healthcare professionals.
- Investigate and challenge decisions and actions by other agencies, including the police, where criminal offences may have been discounted, in line with Public Inquiry recommendations and Coronial reform.
- Manage enquiries with partner agencies, collate and record evidence linked to those agencies/professionals as appropriate and produce evidence case files, to the satisfaction of coroners’ requirements, suitable for use in court.
- Co-ordinate, attend and facilitate inquest hearings as appropriate.
- Provide appropriate guidance to the bereaved for the duration of the coroner’s inquiry.
- To record, assess and investigate reports of potential treasure.
- Manage investigations ensuring that investigations are carried out thoroughly and expeditiously in accordance with relevant legal requirements
- Undertake other such reasonable duties as specified by the coroner or employer that are commensurate with the grade and responsibilities of the post.
- This list of duties is not restrictive or exhaustive and the post-holder may be required to carry out duties from time to time that are either commensurate with/or lower than the scale of the post
- Flexible approach to working hours and locations to meet the requirements of the Department.
This list of duties is not restrictive or exhaustive and the post-holder may be required to carry out duties from time to time that are either commensurate with/or lower than the grade of the post. In some posts this might include the ad-hoc provision of guidance and informal training of new colleagues.
