Do you want a role where you can make a real difference in people’s lives by advocating for their needs?
As a Victim Witness Care Officer (VWCO), you will be the first point of contact for victims and witnesses, offering support, guidance, and reassurance during some of their most difficult moments. You will take statements, provide essential information, and act as a crucial link between internal police departments and external support organisations.
This role requires strong communication skills, as you will be speaking with multiple people daily. You must also ensure all paperwork is completed and submitted within a 24-hour timeframe, in line with legal requirements.
Many of the individuals you support may be distressed, emotional, or fearful. Your ability to show empathy, remain calm under pressure, and offer reassurance will be key. The job can be demanding, requiring you to work to tight deadlines and adapt to changing priorities, but it is also incredibly rewarding.
As part of our team, you’ll have the opportunity to share your knowledge and experience to help improve our processes and ensure we follow best practices in everything we do.
Main Responsibilities:
- Reviewing police information to support decision-making
- Contacting victims of crime to offer help and guidance
- Liaising with organisations that protect children and vulnerable adults
- Supporting witnesses and helping them understand their role in the Criminal Justice process
- Keeping victims and witnesses informed as their case progresses
At Avon & Somerset Police, we are committed to serving, protecting, and respecting everyone in our community. Our values—caring, courage, inclusion, and continuous learning—guide everything we do.
This is a challenging yet deeply fulfilling role. Are you ready to make a difference?
Does this sound like you?
To get an inside look at the role, check out our ‘Day in the Life of a VWCO’ document attached
What we can offer you:
A package of financial, lifestyle and health benefits to support whatever stage of life you're in, including:
- Continuous professional development
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Employee Assistance scheme offering help through counselling services, legal advice, fitness advice, personal coaching and health assessment
- Staff discount scheme for savings on shopping, days out, sporting events, holidays
Additional Information:
We are recruiting two permanent full-time positions (37 hours per week) and one fixed-term part-time position (21 hours per week, working Wednesday, Thursday and Friday). The part-time role is maternity cover, with exact working hours to be agreed with the successful candidate.
This position offers a hybrid working arrangement, with the opportunity to work from home for a proportion of the working week. Your office location can be either Bridewell or Keynsham.
Applicants successful at shortlisting will be invited to attend an in person interview week commencing 1st June 2026.
No qualifications needed – training and mentoring will be provided.
You will be required to travel to alternative locations on a regular basis to undertake this role, therefore you will ideally hold a full current driving licence or be able to travel around the force area using alternative transport. Travel expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with force policy.
You will be working on a shift basis which includes evenings, until 6:30pm, please see attached shift pattern for further details.
Successful candidates will not be eligible to apply for other internal opportunities for a minimum of 24 months from their start date in this role.
To be eligible to apply for this role you must have a 3 year 'checkable history' in the UK - ideally this means that you would have been resident in the UK for the last 3 years.
