Vacancy Information
Division / Department - Public Protection
Grade - Grade G
Status - Full Time
Contract Type - Permanent
Salary Grade Range - £33,128 - £39,149
Working Hours - 36.0 Hours per Week
Shift Allowance - Yes
Politically Restricted - Yes
Location - Surrey Police Headquarters, Guildford
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.
Chief Constables' Message
We really welcome your interest in joining our Police Force. It is a privilege to lead the teams in Surrey Police and Sussex Police who continuously work selflessly and tirelessly in order to keep people in our counties safe.
We are looking for talented and inspirational people who put the needs of the public at the heart of everything that they do and who want to make a difference. If you feel you are that person then we want to hear from you.
We wish you all the very best with your application.
Chief Constable Tim De Meyer & Chief Constable Jo Shiner
The Role & Key Responsibilities
The Role
Sexual Offence Liaison Officers (SOLO’s)
The SOLO’s are based within the Sexual Offences Investigation Team (SOIT) at HQ.
SOIT is a specialist investigation unit entrusted by the public to care for our survivors and undertake effective investigations of Rape and Serious Sexual Offence (RASSO) cases. Where supported by the evidence we will successfully prosecute these most serious and complex of cases in order to seek justice and protect the public.
Surrey Police employs SOLO’s whose role is to deliver the highest standard of victim care and to achieve the best possible evidence from them. Working within a busy Sexual Offences Investigation Team, you will be deployed alongside other SOLO’s and investigators to support victims of serious sexual offences. SOLO’s support victims from the initial report, through to the conclusion of the investigation. SOLO's are the victim’s voice and point of contact in an investigation. As part of your role, you will be trained to respond to both recent and non-recent reports of rape and serious sexual offences. You will be trained to obtain their best evidence from them and be responsible for providing them with the highest quality of victim care. You will work closely with partner agencies to ensure the right support is provided to them.
Although you will be part of a wider team you will work autonomously. You will establish positive connections with victims who will have experienced violence, abuse and/or trauma by building rapport through empathy. Because of your excellent interpersonal skills and training, you will be best placed to act as the single point of contact between the victim and the investigation, ensuring that the voice of the victim is represented at every stage of the investigative process.
You will demonstrate problem solving skills to overcome issues which could cause delay. You will remain impartial and assist investigators with objective case assessments.
Key Responsibilities
To ensure that victims receive the highest standard of care and support throughout an investigation. To increase the confidence and trust of victims by being the single point of contact.
To explain the criminal justice process to the victim and keep them informed about the progress of the investigation. To ensure information is given to the victim positively and carefully to prevent any loss of confidence in the police investigation or the criminal justice process.
To appropriately and thoroughly explain investigation decisions particularly when a decision is made to discontinue the case.
To work in partnership with staff from the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), the Independent Sexual Violence Advocates (ISVAs) and victim care agencies to ensure a first class multi-agency approach to supporting victims’ needs throughout an investigation.
To ensure that the best possible evidence is obtained from victims, including written and video recorded evidence, the seizure of exhibits and samples, and the use of Early Evidence Kits where appropriate.
To support the victim with a practical, honest and problem solving approach to overcome any issues which may delay the progress of the investigation.
To ensure that the victim receives information about support agencies, and that any referrals are made to other agencies in accordance with the victim’s wishes.
To co-ordinate pre-trial support and assess emerging support needs relating to pending court hearings, in conjunction with Witness Care Units and ISVAs.
To ensure accurate records are kept of all interactions with victims and to ensure compliance with the victim code [VICON] and disclosure obligations under CPIA.
To undertake other duties appropriate to the grade and character of the work as may be reasonably required, including specific duties of a similar or lesser graded post.
Skills & Experience
This is not an easy role and although the work will be amongst the most rewarding in policing - it will also be emotionally demanding. Because of this it won’t be for everyone which is why we are specifically looking for resilient individuals who are able to persevere in the face of adversity.
In order to be successful it is essential that you are able to demonstrate the following:
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to deliver sensitive messages clearly and tactfully whilst building trust and rapport through the use of empathy. An ability to ask insightful and at times difficult questions as we undertake an effective investigation.
• Confidence and an ability to work without direct supervision whilst under pressure; prioritising work and dealing with competing or conflicting demands and interests in an organised and methodical manner.
• Excellent crisis management skills with the ability to handle situations of heightened stress and/or emotional turmoil.
• Strong problem solving skills with the ability to analyse information in order to make quick operational decisions.
In addition to the above you will also be required to have:-
• Experience of working or engaging with survivors of violence, abuse or trauma.
• The ability and willingness to obtain Professionalising Investigation Programme (PIP) - Level One accreditation.
• Experience of successfully managing, completing and prioritising your own workload or tasks.
• The ability and willingness to undertake witness interviewing accreditation.
• The ability and willingness to undertake the continued professional development training CPD.
• A UK manual driving licence
We are looking for public spirited individuals who want to pursue a challenging but rewarding career in one of the most demanding arenas of policing.
Why Work With Us?
Policing is an exciting 24/7 business and we all have commitments outside work. We’re invested in supporting people to balance their life with work and we encourage flexible working. We are open to conversations about job shares and part time working. We encourage agile working, giving you the opportunity to manage your own diary and work wherever you give the best service to the public. This may include flexi-time and home working.
We take pride in looking after our people and offer a variety of benefits;
- career progression
- contributory pension scheme (LGPS)
- generous annual leave allowance
- discounts for everyday spend
- on-site gyms and a range of sports clubs
- generous and supportive parental leave
- financial and mental wellbeing guidance and support
- discounted contributory healthcare scheme
Please use the following links for more information on the benefits of working with Surrey Police or Sussex Police
Further Information
The post holder must be willing to undertake shift work between 0700 and 2200hrs on a rota system covering all days of the week.
The post holder will be required on occasion to work mandatory, unplanned overtime.
The role will involve deployments across the county of Surrey. Part-time and flexible working applications will be considered.
It would be beneficial if you could arrange a visit to gain a better insight into the role and to meet the teams ahead of your applications.
For further information, to discuss the role or to arrange a visit please contact
DS Anna Kelly or Stephanie Evans - SOLO Supervisors
Anna.Kelly@surrey.police.uk
Steph.Evans@surrey.police.uk
TDI Heather Jenkins or DI Jonathan Bradshaw – Departmental DIs.
Heather.Jenkins@surrey.police.uk
Jonathan.Bradshaw@surrey.police.uk
This vacancy will be based at Headquarters, Guildford.
This is a politically restricted position, to view the Political Restrictions Policy for Police Staff click here
Diversity Statement
We are only as good as our people. It's 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 the skills that diversity brings; all of which help us to 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 Disability Confident, hold Race Equality Matters Trailblazer status, are a signatory of the Race at Work Charter and are aligned with the Armed Forces Covenant and the HeForShe movement.
We are committed to being an anti-racist police service. We promise to challenge injustice, ensure fairness and to uphold anti-racist principles in both our organisation and our communities. For more information, you can read our full anti-racism statement here.
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 belief, we would love to hear from you.
Please use the following links to find out more on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at Surrey Police and Sussex Police
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 successful 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.