At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to provide vital support for witnesses in court.
- Company: Join Victim Support, a charity dedicated to helping those affected by crime.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, birthday off, pension contributions, and exclusive discounts.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for career development and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of witnesses navigating the justice system.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and experience in service delivery required.
The predicted salary is between 18495 - 18495 £ per year.
Victim Support is seeking a committed and detail-focused Team Leader to help coordinate and maintain excellent support for witnesses within the busy Court environment at Portsmouth Magistrates Court. You will play a vital role in supporting our volunteers and wider service ensuring witnesses receive timely, compassionate, and effective support throughout their justice journey. This role is temporary working 22.5 hours per week.
Are you an organised, proactive individual with a passion for supporting victims and witnesses as they navigate the justice system? Do you enjoy working collaboratively, ensuring high-quality service delivery, and supporting others to perform at their best? If you thrive in fast-paced environments, have strong communication and data-handling skills, and are motivated by service excellence, we'd love to hear from you.
What we offer:
- Generous Annual Leave: 28 days plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 33 days plus Bank Holidays, with options to buy or sell annual leave.
- Birthday Leave: An extra day off for your birthday.
- Pension Plan: 5% employer contribution.
- Enhanced Allowances: Enhanced sick pay, maternity, and paternity payments.
- Exclusive Discounts: High Street, retail, holiday, gym, entertainment, and leisure discounts.
- Financial Wellbeing: Access to our financial wellbeing hub and salary-deducted finance.
- Wellbeing Support: Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support.
- Inclusive Networks: Access to EDI networks and colleague cafes.
- Sustainable Travel: Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loans.
- Career Development: Ongoing training and support with opportunities for career progression.
About the Role:
- Support the delivery of a high quality, safe, and consistent service for all witnesses attending court.
- Lead the delivery of the Witness Service within the court, ensuring a high-quality, safe, and consistent service for all witnesses.
- Line-manage Deputy Team Leaders and volunteers, supporting recruitment, training, development, performance, and wellbeing.
- Oversee daily case allocations, ensuring witnesses receive timely assessments, tailored support, and appropriate referrals.
- Ensure accurate and compliant data entry, audits, reporting, and monitoring of KPIs and quality standards.
- Manage rotas, resource planning, and service coverage across the court cluster.
- Promote excellent communication across teams, facilitating team meetings, and sharing learning.
- Build and maintain effective relationships with local stakeholders, including statutory and voluntary partners.
- Foster an inclusive, trauma-informed, person-centred approach that recognises diverse needs and vulnerabilities.
- Provide leadership that champions continuous improvement and maintains the dignity, safety, and wellbeing of witnesses.
You will have:
- Strong understanding of the criminal justice system and the impact of crime on victims and witnesses.
- Experience delivering services in demanding environments with a focus on customer experience and service excellence.
- Experience providing guidance, support, or crisis management to staff or service users.
- Strong communication, negotiation, and advisory skills, both written and verbal.
- The ability to work without direct supervision, manage competing demands, and maintain organised and methodical working practices.
- Experience gathering, analysing, and reporting information from multiple sources.
- Sound IT skills, including the use of Microsoft Office and case management systems.
- Commitment to safeguarding, equality, diversity, and inclusive practice.
- Strong attention to detail, confidence using digital systems, and the ability to manage competing demands while supporting a high-performing team.
Additional Information:
- The role may involve exposure to emotionally demanding situations and requires resilience.
- Travel across the Court cluster may be required.
- Occasional evening or weekend work may be necessary.
- An Enhanced DBS check will be required.
About the Witness Service:
The Witness Service provides free, independent support to any witness giving evidence in criminal courts in England and Wales - both for the prosecution and the defence. Our trained staff and volunteers help people understand what to expect before, during, and after a trial, and offer practical and emotional support every step of the way, so witnesses can give their best evidence. The Witness Service also supports bereaved family members, friends, and family who are accompanying witnesses in court.
This is an exceptional opportunity to help us ensure a smooth transition and shape a high-quality, high-impact, and trauma-informed service - so every witness feels informed, supported, and more confident in court.
About Us:
Victim Support is an independent charity dedicated to supporting people affected by crime and traumatic incidents in England and Wales. We put them at the heart of our organisation and our support and campaigns are informed and shaped by them and their experiences. Victim Support are committed to recruiting with care and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Background checks and Disclosed Barring Service checks may be required.
At Victim Support, we're proud to celebrate diversity and create a workplace where everyone feels they belong. We're committed to being an anti-racist organisation, and we actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those from Black and Asian and other minoritised communities. As a Disability Confident Employer, we will offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet all essential criteria for a job where it is practicable to do so. We are also happy to make reasonable adjustments during the recruitment and selection process.
Team Leader- Witness Service in England employer: Victim Support
Victim Support is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment for Homicide Family Caseworkers in the Central and East of England. With a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, we provide flexible working options, generous annual leave, and comprehensive training programmes that foster career development. Join our passionate team dedicated to making a meaningful impact on the lives of those affected by crime, while enjoying unique benefits such as birthday leave and exclusive discounts.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Team Leader- Witness Service in England
✨Get Involved in Local Community Projects
One of the best ways to land a temporary role in social work is to dive headfirst into local community projects. Volunteer your time or skills at local charities or community centres to not only gain experience but also to connect with professionals in the field. They might just have some insider knowledge on temporary positions that pop up!
✨Engage with Social Work Networks
Join online forums and social media groups specifically for social workers. Platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn have dedicated groups where professionals share temporary job opportunities. Being an active member can help you stay in the loop and even get recommendations from those already in the field.
✨Attend Workshops and Seminars
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences related to social work in your area. These events aren't just great for learning; they're also hotbeds for networking! You never know who might be hiring or can point you towards a temporary position while you're soaking up new skills.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website!
When you spot a role that piques your interest, especially for a temporary position, make sure to apply directly through our website! This not only shows your commitment to Victim Support, but also gives you an edge by putting your application right in front of the hiring team. Let’s get you moving on that path to your next opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Team Leader- Witness Service in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let's highlight why you're passionate about social work and how your values align with those of Victim Support. Share specific experiences where you made a difference, as this field thrives on genuine motivation and connection.
Demonstrate Relevant Experience:When listing your experience, focus on any internships, volunteer roles, or temporary positions you've had in social work or related fields. Those skills are gold! Think about situations where you helped individuals or communities, and don't forget to mention any relevant certifications, like safeguarding or mental health first aid.
Keep It Concise and Relevant:Remember, for a temporary role, hiring managers want to see how you fit in and can hit the ground running. Keep your CV clear and to the point, showcasing only the experience that really matters for the role at Victim Support. We recommend a two-page limit – make every word count!
Emphasise Flexibility and Adaptability:Considering this is a temporary position, it's vital to show you can adapt to new environments quickly. In your application, highlight any past experiences where you had to adjust to different teams or roles smoothly. This shows you understand the nature of temporary work and are ready for the challenge!
How to prepare for a job interview at Victim Support
✨Sharpen Your Empathy Skills
In social work, it's all about understanding and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. Make sure to prepare some examples from your experience where you've demonstrated empathy and resilience. Practising active listening techniques can help you articulate your approach during the interview with Victim Support.
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with key social work theories and frameworks, like the ecological systems theory or person-centred approaches. These concepts might pop up during your interview for the temporary Team Leader- Witness Service role at Victim Support, so it's good to have a couple of insights ready to share.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, showcasing your flexibility is key. Be prepared to discuss past experiences where you quickly adapted to new environments or changing client needs, which is crucial in the dynamic world of social work.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions that test your decision-making skills and ethical judgement. Think about how you would handle specific challenges you might face in the field. Having a clear structure for your answers will show Victim Support that you can think critically and act effectively under pressure.
