Coroners Officer

We are looking for a Coroners Officer to join a south London Court on a contract basis

Working for a Coroner is a job that is different every day.

Every case is unique, so as a Coroners Officer, you will have a varied workload.

There will be all kinds of people to deal with, from GPs and local authorities to the bereaved.

Whoever you are talking to, you will pride yourself on providing a professional and sensitive service.

Across London, Coroners Offices confirm and certify deaths and carry out inquests if necessary.

They may be involved in following up homicides, accidents, deaths in custody and routine medical referrals.

Your task will be to support the Coroner in their duties every day, following directions, helping with investigations and managing reported death cases.

It is work that will bring you into contact with the police, the NHS, GPs, HM Prison Service, local authorities and most importantly, bereaved families.

You will provide information about the coronial process, answer questions and explain statutory requirements.

You will have some experience in an investigatory role.

You are also highly organised: able to prioritise tasks, meet deadlines and manage changing demands.

It is also important that you are good with people, great in a team and naturally resilient.

Approachable, understanding and a problem solver, you will give accurate information and diffuse difficult situations.

In return, you will get to be part of an organisation that helps to protect London every day.

As you develop, you will be eligible to apply for other specialist roles within the Met.

Principal accountabilities and objectives (these may vary slightly in different jurisdictions)

• To receive death reports and as directed make further enquiries.
• To present to the coroner the information on cases for decisions on management.
• To inform interested persons of their rights and roles and liaise as directed.
• To secure disclosure and to disclose statements and reports as directed.
• To support the coroner in ordering autopsies, issuing Forms A and B to the Registrar of Deaths and liaising over release of bodies to funeral directors.
• To alert coroners where reviews or coronial decisions are needed.
• To prepare cases for inquest (these may be paper case files or electronic or both).
• To engage in correspondence as directed.
• To meet bereaved families and interested persons where necessary.
• To usher and support the coroner in court from time to time.
• To liaise with organisations conducting other investigations or assisting the coroner.
• To liaise with other jurisdictions and facilitate transfers of investigations.
• To assist in the provision of information on cases for the manager, the coroner and in reporting to the Ministry of Justice and Chief Coroner.
• Where appropriate to follow jurisdictional policies.
• To work as a team and attend meetings to support effective service delivery.
• To contribute to service development.
• Any other duties of a similar nature which may arise from time to time.
• Job context
• Officers will maintain contacts with a wide variety of people and organizations:
• Other Officers
• Metropolitan Police Service
• The senior coroner and assistant coroners
• Clerk or PA to the coroner, other Local Authority staff, especially receptionists and ushers.
• Members of the public
• Ministry of Justice
• Emergency services
• Solicitors and Barristers representing interested parties.
• Hospitals and GPs
• Registrars
• Funeral Directors
• Pathologists
• Mortuary services
• Coroners Officer: Person specification

Education

Relevant GCSE and/or similar qualification, or relevant work experience at a similar level.

• Knowledge
• Knowledge and understanding of delivering public services in a busy, public facing environment in a caring and empathetic manner.
• Knowledge of at least one process of death investigation, either police, hospital or coroner.
• Knowledge of Coroners & Justice Act.

Experience

• Proven and relevant experience gained in an investigatory role.
• Experience of handling and communicating with bereaved people.
• Experience of working in a legal or police or health or regulatory environment.
• Experience of using the full range of Microsoft Office products including Outlook, Excel, Word and Power Point.
• Experience of communicating effectively with vulnerable customers and at all levels of the organisation and in all formats.
• Planning and prioritising own workloads to achieve tasks within a tight deadline, and pressurised environment, including problem solving and working independently.
• Experience of responding to verbal or written correspondence where English may not be a first language.

Skills and Competencies

• Ability to apply written guidelines, procedures and protocols to work.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills both verbally and in writing.
• Ability communicates effectively with a wide range of people at all levels and external organisations including Police Commanders, Chief Officers, Coroners, Ministry of Justice, counsel and solicitors.
• Ability to work in a team, share work to meet service demands, and escape to manager or coroner delays and work overload.
• The ability to share criticism and praise.
• Special Conditions of Service
• Must demonstrate an understanding of the issues relating to equal opportunities in service delivery, and actively promote ways of eradicating racism, sexism and other forms of negative discrimination through the MPS policies and procedures.
• To comply with the Health & Safety Policy.
• To comply with the duties of confidentiality and disclosure as required under GDPR and as directed by the coroner.
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