Victim Liaison Officer

About Us

North Somerset Council is committed to providing high-quality services to our community. We are committed to creating a fair, green, and more inclusive environment for all our residents. Join us and contribute to making a positive impact on our community.

The Role

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Victim Liaison Officer to join our North Somerset Youth Justice Team. The YJS are responsible are local multi-agency teams that work with children aged 10–17 to prevent offending and reoffending. They support young people and their families by addressing underlying difficulties and providing guidance at police stations and courts.

In this role, you will;

• Support victims of youth crime by providing information on offender sentences and helping them navigate the justice system. Liaise with victims and families
• Deliver high-quality services
• Promote victim awareness within the Youth Justice Service.

Key Responsibilities:

Youth Justice Victim Liaison Officers support victims by facilitating restorative justice, relaying court outcomes, and providing updates on case decisions. They liaise with criminal justice agencies to ensure victims are listened to and involved in the process.

Victim Support and Communication

• Relaying Outcomes: The court outcome is relayed to the victim by the Victim Liaison Officer, who can provide support at any point in the process.
• Providing Updates: Responsibilities include answering queries, providing updates, and explaining case decisions over the phone, as well as drafting letters to victims.
• Ensuring Involvement: Officers work directly with victims to ensure they are listened to and involved in the youth justice process.

Restorative Justice Facilitation

• Facilitating Restorative Justice: The role plays a critical part in supporting the team to facilitate restorative justice with victims of crime and young people.
• Discussion Opportunities: The Youth Justice Service ensures victims have an opportunity to discuss how their lives have been affected by current youth crime.

Inter-Agency Liaison

• Agency Collaboration: Officers liaise with, provide, and analyse information for criminal justice agencies and other partner agencies.
• Advising Partners: They give advice to ensure that the needs of victims are met within the broader justice framework.

Victim Support and Communication

• Relaying Outcomes: The court outcome is relayed to the victim by the Victim Liaison Officer, who can provide support at any point in the process.
• Providing Updates: Responsibilities include answering queries, providing updates, and explaining case decisions over the phone, as well as drafting letters to victims.
• Ensuring Involvement: Officers work directly with victims to ensure they are listened to and involved in the youth justice process.

Restorative Justice Facilitation

• Facilitating Restorative Justice: The role plays a critical part in supporting the team to facilitate restorative justice with victims of crime and young people.
• Discussion Opportunities: The Youth Justice Service ensures victims have an opportunity to discuss how their lives have been affected by current youth crime.

Inter-Agency Liaison

• Agency Collaboration: Officers liaise with, provide, and analyse information for criminal justice agencies and other partner agencies.
• Advising Partners: They give advice to ensure that the needs of victims are met within the broader justice framework.

This position is exempt under the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions) Order 1975 and is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Valid driving licence and own transport, or be able to provide alternative, suitable method of travel is an essential condition for this role.

Work Style

At North Somerset Council, we offer a hybrid working environment based on four distinct work styles. Depending on the role and personal circumstances, you will fall into one of these categories. However, please note that during the induction period, it may be necessary to spend more time in the office to support your learning and development. We are flexible and open to discussions about your preferred working style, and if you wish to be in the office more frequently, this can be negotiated.

This role falls into the category of Flexible Worker which means you can expect to work in the following way:

• 2-3 days in the office
• Works both from home and the office, depending on the task at hand.
• Training is provided to help balance work-life and manage time effectively, with an emphasis on communication for team touchpoints and planning in-office days for collaboration.

About You

We are looking for an individual who is passionate about , and who possesses the following skills and experience:

Essential Criteria:

• Experience working within the Criminal Justice System
• Substantial relevant experience of working with vulnerable children with complex needs.
• The ability to manage and organise your own work and that of colleagues to meet agreed deadlines.
• Skills to engage with victims, carry out assessments and refer vulnerable victims to other services.
• Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding protocols and the impact of crime, anti-social behaviour on children and their families/carers.
• You are a reflective practitioner, confident working across agencies and as part of a team and have an innovative and enthusiastic approach.

Desirable Criteria:

• Previous experience of managing your own case load.

What We Offer

At North Somerset Council, we value our employees and provide a supportive and inclusive work environment. We offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits
• Flexible working arrangements
• Local Government Pension
• Opportunities for professional development
• Inclusive Staff groups including Carers, Disabled, LGBTQ+, REACH (Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage), and Young Staff Forums
• Opportunity to purchase up to an additional 10 days annual leave each year
• Dedicated in house Wellbeing Team
• Salary sacrifice Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle schemes

Further details of our excellent rewards package can be found in our Benefits booklet.

How to Apply

If you share our vision and valuesand are ready to make an impact to North Somerset, please select the apply online button below. If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please submit your application by 11.59pm on the application closing date. When completing our online application form, please detail how you meet the essential criteria for the role.

Contact Information

For further information about the role, please contact Nicky Herron, Team Manager, at nicky.herron@n-somerset.gov.uk or 07392 137982..

Important Information

As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job role.

Interview Date: To be advised

Please note: We are currently only able to accept applications from candidates who have full permission to work in the UK and are unable to provide Sponsorship for this role.

Using Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We want to understand the real person behind each application. While we recognise that some applicants may use AI tools, these should support your writing rather than replace your own voice. AI can be a helpful aid, but your personal insight and individuality are what matter most to us.

Equal Opportunities

At North Somerset Council we want all our employees to feel valued and appreciated. We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and prevent discrimination irrespective of your sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, age, disability, including neurodiversity, if you are married or in a civil partnership or are pregnant or currently on maternity leave. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We reserve the right to close this advertisement early or extend the closing date depending on the number of applications received.