At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families affected by homicide, providing tailored assistance and working with police teams.
- Company: Join Victim Support, a charity dedicated to helping those impacted by crime.
- Benefits: Flexible working, 28+ days leave, pension contributions, and discounts on various services.
- Other info: Comprehensive training provided, with opportunities for career growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and experience in service delivery are essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
We have an exciting opportunity for a full-time Homicide Family Caseworker to join our team. You will be based in Central East of England Team, with a primary focus on Lincolnshire, Rutland and North Cambridgeshire and should live in one of these areas.
Do you want the unique opportunity to work in a fast-paced service, delivering exceptional support to families bereaved by and witness to homicide, coordinating a tailored package of support to service users and their families? Would you enjoy working closely with Police Major Crime teams providing briefings on the work we do in the Homicide Service (HS)? If yes, then we’d love to hear from you.
What we offer
- Flexible working options including hybrid working
- 28 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays, rising to 33 days plus Bank Holidays
- An extra day off for your birthday & options to buy or sell annual leave
- Pension with 5% employer contribution
- Enhanced sick pay allowances, maternity & paternity payments
- High Street, retail, holiday, gym, entertainment & leisure discounts
- Access to our financial wellbeing hub & salary deducted finance
- Employee assistance programme & wellbeing support
- Access to EDI networks and colleague cafes
- Cycle to work scheme & season ticket loans
- Ongoing training & support with opportunities for career development & progression
About the role
You will be joining a passionate and committed team who provide high quality and bespoke support to service users. We pride ourselves on exceptional trauma informed advocacy and support to all service users. You will be driven to make a difference every day with the ability to focus on the needs of vulnerable service users. You will have resilience and adaptability; understand the importance of professional boundaries; have excellent listening skills and the ability to demonstrate empathy. You will enjoy the challenge of a busy caseload and will be able to demonstrate the excellent organisation skills essential to managing a demanding and diverse workload.
Once in post you will benefit from the mandatory comprehensive training programme which will build on your existing skills and experience to prepare you for the role. Homicide Service training includes: criminal justice process; trauma informed approach to support; supporting traumatically bereaved families; personal and professional resilience.
As a fully trained Homicide Family Caseworker you will be responsible for managing your own complex caseload to the highest quality standards. You will need to be able to travel to home visits within the Central East of England (Lincolnshire, Rutland and North Cambridgeshire) and therefore this role involves regular travel and due to the location, a driving license and access to a vehicle is considered an essential requirement. If you are unable to drive because of a disability please indicate this in your application in your personal statement so we can explore the feasibility of alternative arrangements.
You will need:
- an understanding of the impact of crime on victims.
- effective verbal and written communication skills.
- a proven track record of successfully delivering services and working directly within a statutory, voluntary or multi agency setting(s).
- the ability to balance competing needs and priorities.
- to be able to work independently and as part of a team.
- a successful track record of building effective working relationships across internal and external stakeholders.
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 antiracist 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.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Caseworker- Homicide in London
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Victim Support.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Victim Support!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Victim Support, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Victim Support or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Caseworker- Homicide in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Victim Support:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Victim Support! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Victim Support
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
