Vacancy Information
Division / Department - See Advert
Grade - Grade 10
Status - Full Time
Contract Type - Permanent
Salary Grade Range - £30,375 - £33,348
Working Hours - 37.0 Hours per Week
Shift Allowance -
Politically Restricted - No
The starting salary for this role will usually be at the bottom of the salary range and will be pro-rata if the working hours are less than full time.
The Role
The Coroners Service for Sussex is currently undergoing a transition where from 1st April 2023 the service provision and employment of its staff will be transferred from Sussex Police to West Sussex County Council.
The service is expected to operate from 3 main hubs:
• Innovation Centre, Highfield Drive, St Leonards on Sea, East Sussex, TN38 9UH.
• Coroner’s Court, Woodvale, Brighton, BN2 3QB
• County Hall, West Street, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 1RQ
Applications are invited for the role of Coroner’s Officer within the Brighton and Hove area. We also intend holding a pool of successful candidates for future vacancies that may arise across Sussex early next year.
Application Timeline
14th December 2022 – Application window closes
w/c 19th December 2022 – Interview and selection for Brighton and Hove post. Successful pool candidates notified
w/c 9th January 2023 – Offers of employment made within recruitment pool where required. Anticipated start date following references and vetting – Feb 2023
Role Summary
Investigating and Recording sudden and unexpected death in line with the Coroner’s and Justice Act 2009, Coroner’s (Investigations) Regulations 2013, Coroner’s (Inquests) Rules 2013 and the Chief Coroner’s Guidance.
Key Responsibilities
Solely responsible and has the autonomy to Investigate and Record sudden and unexpected death in line with the Coroner’s and Justice Act 2009, Coroner’s (Investigations) Regulations 2013, Coroner’s (Inquests) Rules 2013 and the Chief Coroner’s Guidance.
Attending scenes of sudden deaths in accordance with existing Sussex Police policies and as requested by the Coroner. To liaise with the investigation team providing expert advice in the field. Recording and reporting tissue and organ donation requests on behalf of HM Coroner.
Attending both Forensic and Local Post Mortem Examinations on behalf of the Coroner. Recording and formalising family wishes of disposal of histology samples in line with the Human Tissue Act 2004.
Act as a single point of contact providing immediate support and guidance to bereaved families following sudden and unexpected death ensuring that families, interested persons and witnesses are updated with the progress of the investigation and are provided with any necessary support.
To confirm identification of the deceased in line with police officer findings. If no identification, arrange DNA, dental or fingerprint comparison where appropriate.
To prepare for and undertake formal investigative interviews, write statements and conduct related investigative enquiries where appropriate of families, professionals and witnesses in compliance with Coroner’s and Justice Act 2009, Coroner’s (Investigations) Regulations 2013, Coroner’s (Inquests) Rules 2013 and the Chief Coroner’s Guidance. Preparing and delivering relevant disclosure material throughout the process as necessary and required by the Coroner.
Setting direction and investigating all referrals to the Coroner’s Office by gathering evidence, analysing and evaluating the information. Identifying and conducting further enquiries, taking statements and working outside of the police station where necessary and issuing legal documents to families and services for purpose of death registration once the Coroner’s investigation is concluded.
Preparing evidential files for Coroners Court including the gathering and assessment of unused material in compliance with the Coroner’s and Justice Act 2009.
Performing the role of Officer in the Case (OIC) at court hearings. Acting as a single point of contact for the Coroner and all interested parties. Additionally responsible for the formation of a jury inquest as guided by the Coroners (Inquests) Rules 2013.
To act as the single point of contact when liaising with other police forces, partners and supporting third party agencies for all cases referred to the Coroner’s Office. There is a requirement for the post holder to work an on-call rota.
To develop and foster new relationships with partner agencies and external service providers, negotiating and influencing information exchange, disclosure, joint investigations including intelligence gathering opportunities and the provision of requested services. Represent Sussex Police and the Coroner at multi-agency strategy discussions and case conferences. Attending and contributing to early and late case discussions as directed in the Child Death Protocol. Attending Safeguarding discussions to assist in learnings and outcomes for partner agencies.
Skills & Experience
ESSENTIAL
• A level qualification or equivalent experience within the Coronial environment
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills with the confidence and ability to influence and persuade others
• Articulate with the ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, at all levels of the organisation and with external customers such as defence lawyers;
• Must be capable of absolute discretion in handling matters of a personal, sensitive and confidential nature;
• A working knowledge of medical terminologies and drugs / medication
• To participate in an on call rota acting as a single point of contact for any out of hours enquiries and attending scenes on behalf of the Coroner
• Ability to manage varying enquiries from families, legal teams, colleagues and third party agencies working as a single point of contact;
• Ability to independently exercise own judgement in a consistent manner, within confines of legislation and agreed procedures
• The ability to operate multiple computer database systems
DESIRABLE
• Previous experience of investigations
• Previous experience of working within a multi-agency context
• Understanding of the Coroner’s interaction with partner agencies e.g. NHS Trusts, Pathologists, GPs, Police, local safeguarding boards
• Experience of providing grief counselling and witness
• Previous experience of attending scenes of death and Post Mortem examinations
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
• The post holder will be required to be capable of working in all forms of operational environment including advising at scenes of unexpected and / or traumatic death, attending Mortuaries (attendance at Post Mortems), leading as the single point of contact at Coroner’s Court;
• The post holder must obtain and maintain the relevant Force vetting procedure;
• The post holder may be subject of a vulnerable person role check or psychiatric assessment if applicable to the position due to the distressing nature of the investigations undertaken by some team members; Expected to be flexible with working time and place of work, and, be prepared to work overtime;
Further Information
Inspector Simon Lardner CL202 - simon.lardner@sussex.police.uk
Additional Information
Following submission of your application you will receive a confirmation email with a copy of your application attached. Occasionally emails from this address can fall into spam/junk folders so please ensure this is checked regularly. You may wish to consider adding noreply@surreysussexpolice.as.recruitmail.com to your address/contact list to ensure you receive all communications.
This post is being advertised in parallel with Force redeployment processes. Any redeployees who are identified will be given preference. This may result in the post being withdrawn at any point during the recruitment process.
Please note that not all jobs are available for internal candidates across both Forces, the current agreed recruitment principles are;
- vacancies in collaborated units are available to all officers and staff across both Forces
- vacancies in non-collaborated units are only available to officers and staff within the Force with the vacancy unless it is advertised externally.
If the vacancy is advertised externally and an officer or member of staff from the other Force is success it will result in a transfer of employment
Surrey Police and Sussex Police Special Constables, Volunteers and Agency Staff (excluding self-employed workers) covered under the Agency Worker Regulations (AWR) are eligible to apply for internal advertised posts.
Diversity Statement
We are only as good as our people. It's really important that our officers and staff can be themselves in the workplace and we know that as an organisation we'll grow from the variety of thinking, approach and skills that diversity brings; all of which help us deliver a better policing service. We strive to ensure how we deliver our services, provide information and how we recruit is open and accessible to all.
We have multiple staff support groups who help to improve our understanding of minority issues and ensure they are reflected in our work. We are proud members of the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index and Disability Confident, a signatory of the Race at Work Charter and aligned with the Armed Forces Covenant and the HeForShe movement.
We value the differences that people bring from all backgrounds and communities. Regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, disability, social status or religious beliefs, we would love to hear from you.