What You’ll Do
To abide by and be held accountable to the Victims Code of Practice, providing a victim focused service and ensuring appropriate support is in place.
Contact victims prior to the first hearing at court in relevant cases, identifying preferred method of communication (PMoC) and frequency of updates where applicable.
To provide victims and witnesses with a single point of contact, providing regular updates and responding to general enquiries relating to criminal cases using letters, e-mails and via the telephone within specified timescales as stipulated in the Victims Code of Practice.
Using decision making in order to identify which victims are entitled to an enhanced standard of service as per the Victim’s Code. This includes identifying where a victim may be at risk if they do not receive an urgent update and escalating where necessary.
To relay difficult and potentially upsetting information about the progress of / outcome of a case, appropriately responding to victims and witnesses who are upset, frustrated or distressed and be able to identify when a welfare check may be required and taking necessary action to ensure it’s conducted To effectively manage caseloads / tasks in line with the Victims Code of Practice using associated IT systems as directed including cross-referencing court and CPS records so that any inaccuracies can be corrected to ensure victims/witnesses receive an accurate result.
To contact victims and witnesses in order to obtain dates of unavailability prior to a trial being listed, producing availability reports to provide to CPS to minimise the number of trials which needs to be rearranged.
To process both Magistrates and Crown Court warnings for victims and witnesses, including police officers, required to attend court.
To contact all victims and witnesses required to attend court to ensure they are able/willing to attend, ensuring if issues are unable to be resolved that CPS are informed promptly, including using decision making as to the most appropriate action to take if a witness cannot be contacted
To conduct detailed needs assessments for each victim and witness required to attend court, identifying required support and making appropriate applications for special measures, pre-trial court visits, organising transport / accommodation or additional assistance at court including signposting victims and witnesses to a range of support services / groups and make any appropriate referrals
To action Witness Summons documents received from the court, sending to an appropriate Police Officer to be served (including identifying when the request is urgent). This includes sending the resulting certificate of service to the court in a timely manner so a decision can be made whether to issue a Witness Warrant.
To liaise with Crown Prosecution Service, HM Courts Service and front-line police officers, Case Managers and any other appropriate department/organisation as required. This includes responding to CPS communications, deciding which requests are urgent, and carry out any relevant enquiries or tasks as required.
Monitor Crown Court lists and liaise with the CPS and OIC in order to ensure that witnesses attend court at the most appropriate time including facilitating the use of a remote evidence site where applicable.
To decide which victims should be referred to Probation in the event of a custodial sentence under the Victim Contact Scheme and the Victim Notification Scheme and make the appropriate referral within the agreed timescales.
To refer specialist or particularly sensitive victim and witness issues to the Witness Care Unit Supervisor.
To attend work related training courses as required.
