Salary: OPCC Grade D (£29,892 - £31,758) (Please note you will be appointed at the beginning of the band and increment to the top of the band)
Location: Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner (OPCC), Aykley Heads Police HQ
Hours/Contract: Full Time, 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday, Fixed Term Contract to March 2029
Closing Date: 5pm, Friday 6 th November 2026
Are you passionate about supporting victims, making a difference at critical moments in people's lives, and helping to ensure that no one faces the impact of crime alone?
The Office of the Durham Police and Crime Commissioner is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Victim Care Officer (Progression Model) to join the Victim Care and Mentor Service (VCAMS) and play a key role in supporting victims and witnesses affected by the Progression Model and other early release arrangements.
This is a unique opportunity to provide a person-centred service at a time when victims may feel anxious, uncertain, or vulnerable. As a Victim Care Officer, you will act as a single point of contact, ensuring that victims receive timely information, emotional and practical support, and access to the services they need throughout their journey.
Working as part of a multi-agency network across County Durham and Darlington, you will collaborate closely with Durham Constabulary, HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), local authorities, health partners, specialist support organisations and voluntary sector services. Through a "no wrong door" approach, you will help ensure that victims can access the right support at the right time, regardless of their circumstances or how they engage with services.
You will play an important role in supporting the safe implementation of the Progression Model by identifying needs, coordinating support plans, facilitating information sharing, and ensuring that victims and witnesses remain informed, supported and empowered before, during and after an offender's release where appropriate.
This rewarding role offers the opportunity to:
- Make a meaningful difference to the lives of victims and witnesses across County Durham and Darlington.
- Deliver compassionate, victim-focused support during periods of significant change and uncertainty.
- Work closely with a range of statutory, voluntary and community sector partners to coordinate effective support.
- Help ensure that victims' voices are heard and their needs remain at the heart of decision-making.
- Contribute to public safety by supporting the effective management of offender release arrangements.
- Promote confidence in local services by ensuring victims receive timely information, support and guidance.
- Be part of a service committed to improving outcomes for victims and strengthening community wellbeing.
This is an opportunity for someone who is empathetic, organised and committed to delivering high-quality support to people affected by crime, while helping partners work together to achieve the best possible outcomes for victims and communities.
The Role
The Victim Care Officer (Progression Model) will provide a dedicated, victim-focused service to individuals affected by the Progression Model and other early release arrangements. Acting as a single point of contact, the postholder will ensure that victims and witnesses receive timely information, emotional and practical support, and effective referrals to appropriate services.
The role will coordinate a multi-agency response across County Durham and Darlington, working closely with Durham Constabulary, HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), specialist support providers, local authorities, health services and voluntary sector organisations. The postholder will adopt a "no wrong door" approach, ensuring that individuals can access the right support at the right time regardless of their point of entry into services.
The role will support the safe implementation of the Progression Model by identifying needs, coordinating support plans, facilitating information sharing, and ensuring that victims and witnesses remain informed and supported before, during and after the release of offenders where appropriate.
As part of our team, you will play a vital role in supporting operational policing and delivering high-quality services to the public. Working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, you will collaborate with colleagues and partners to achieve positive outcomes and uphold our core values of professionalism, integrity, and service.
What You’ll Do
Victim and Witness Support
Act as a dedicated Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for victims and witnesses affected by offenders released through the Progression Model.
- Provide a trauma-informed, person-centred service that recognises individual needs, vulnerabilities and risks.
- Undertake needs assessments and identify appropriate support interventions.
- Ensure victims and witnesses have access to emotional, practical and specialist support services.
- Maintain regular contact with individuals throughout key stages of the release process.
- Support individuals to understand available protective measures, reporting mechanisms and support pathways.
- Ensure all contact and interventions are recorded accurately and in accordance with data protection requirements.
Referral Coordination and Case Management
- Receive, assess and manage referrals from partner agencies.
- Coordinate appropriate support packages and interventions through effective referral arrangements.
- Track referrals and monitor outcomes to ensure services remain responsive and effective.
- Maintain oversight of cases where support may be required before, during and following offender release.
- Escalate safeguarding concerns or emerging risks in accordance with local procedures and organisational policies.
- Ensure victims do not need to repeatedly tell their story by facilitating a coordinated and joined-up approach between agencies.
Partnership Working and Liaison
- Develop and maintain effective working relationships with Durham Constabulary, HMPPS, Victim Contact Services, specialist support providers, housing services, health organisations, local authorities and voluntary sector partners.
- Act as a key liaison point between agencies involved in supporting victims affected by offender release.
- Attend multi-agency meetings and contribute to coordinated risk management and support planning.
- Facilitate the sharing of relevant information, ensuring compliance with information sharing protocols and legislation.
- Promote collaborative problem-solving and partnership approaches to meeting support needs.
Release Planning and Follow-Up
- Work proactively with partner agencies to identify upcoming prisoner releases that may impact victims and witnesses.
- Coordinate support arrangements and ensure relevant services are in place ahead of release dates.
- Undertake follow-up contact with victims and witnesses around key release milestones to assess emerging needs and concerns.
- Monitor the effectiveness of support arrangements and coordinate adjustments where necessary.
- Identify trends, challenges and barriers affecting the support response and recommend improvements.
Service Development and Performance
- Contribute to the ongoing development of the Progression Model support framework.
- Collect and analyse performance information, outcomes and feedback from service users and partners.
- Prepare reports, briefings and updates for managers, commissioners and strategic partnership groups.
- Support awareness raising and communication activities to ensure partners understand referral pathways and available support.
- Identify opportunities to strengthen service delivery and improve outcomes for victims and witnesses.
General Responsibilities
- Work in accordance with organisational policies, procedures and professional standards.
- Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately.
- Undertake safeguarding responsibilities for adults and children as required.
- Participate in supervision, training and continuous professional development.
- Promote equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of service delivery.
- Contribute to creating a culture that places victims and witnesses at the centre of service design and delivery.
- Deliver high standards of service aligned with organisational priorities
- Contribute to the safety and wellbeing of our communities
- Work effectively as part of a team in a demanding but rewarding environment
- Support continuous improvement and organisational excellence
- Adhere to policies, procedures, and professional standards at all times
What You’ll Bring
- A strong commitment to putting victims at the heart of everything you do, ensuring they feel heard, informed and supported throughout their journey.
- Experience of working with vulnerable individuals, victims of crime, or within a customer-focused, support, safeguarding, criminal justice, health, social care or community-based setting.
- The ability to assess needs, identify risks and work collaboratively with individuals to develop effective support plans.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to engage professionally with victims, colleagues and partner agencies.
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage a varied caseload, prioritise competing demands and maintain accurate records.
- The ability to work effectively within a multi-agency environment, building productive relationships with statutory, voluntary and community sector partners.
- Sound judgement, problem-solving skills and the ability to make informed decisions in complex and often sensitive situations.
- Resilience, adaptability and the ability to remain calm and professional when working under pressure.
- A strong commitment to public service, equality, diversity and inclusion, and the values of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.
- Relevant qualifications, experience or transferable skills that demonstrate your suitability for the role.
If you hold a higher qualification than those required above or minimum 5 years relevant experience, please evidence this on your application and it will be reviewed by our recruitment team.
For further information, please view the Job Description and Person Specification attached.
Further information
Any offer of employment will be subject to appropriate vetting checks which will be maintained/updated throughout the period of service.
Applicants must have been a UK resident for at least three years prior to the date of application.
If applicants have not been a resident in the UK for at least three years and can provide a VERIFIABLE certificate from the police of any country where they have taken temporary residence. The certificate must indicate that they have not been convicted of any offence whilst in that country or involved in any investigation by a Law Enforcement Agency.
Any tattoos deemed to be obscene, or advocates sexual, racial, ethnic, or religious discrimination, by written word or design is prohibited and the presence of such a tattoo would preclude an applicant from passing the recruitment process for employment with the Constabulary.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Your Application
Artificial intelligence (AI) can be a useful tool to support the preparation of your application. However, all information, examples and evidence provided must be genuine, accurate and based on your own knowledge, skills and experience.
Applications must accurately reflect your personal achievements and career history. Any submission found to contain plagiarised content, or information that has been generated by AI and presented as personal experience, may be withdrawn from the recruitment process. For internal applicants, such instances may also be considered under the relevant disciplinary procedures.
If you’re looking for a career where you can truly make a difference, we encourage you to apply and become part of a team dedicated to keeping our communities safe.
Please note: some documents may not currently be suited for use with assistive technology. If you require information in an alternative format, please contact us .
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