Victim Support

Job Title:WS Youth Violence and Gangs Worker

Purpose of the job:To develop a service to be offered to witnesses who are identified as being victims of serious violence or a gang related crime, either by the referring agency or themselves.

Location:Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court

Salary:£21,000 pro rata (22 hours a week)

Main Duties:

  • Work with agencies to establish an advance referral system to ensure that all Victims of gang related violence have access to the service
  • Receive referrals from Police Witness Care Unit, WCU or other agency (CPS) through secure email system
  • Contact all VIWs either by phone or letter to offer them the service.
  • Provide pre-court support including safety planning
  • Offer Pre-trial visit (PTV)
  • Provide Court Familiarisation on day of trial otherwise
  • Provide support on the day of trial by either project worker or WS volunteers
  • Provide update after court e.g. verdict, sentences, bail conditions, etc
  • Provide post-court support
  • Refer to other appropriate agency for support, including CSU & VS community services
  • When cases identified by WS as YV or Gang related then details are to be passed through the YV&G project worker to LBC CSU
  • Referred/signposted to their local services.
  • Keep up to date record on VS database
  • Collate and supply monitoring information as agreed with the funder(s)
  • Work with the YV team in VS Camden to promoted and explained to young people in Camdenthe project.
  • Give regular reports to line manager
  • Deal with telephone calls, enquires and correspondence
  • Undertake other duties, as required, consistent with the needs of the post of the area and in agreement with the line manager

Person specification

Job title:WS Youth Violence and Gangs Worker

Department:Highbury MC

Experience:

  • Experience of recruiting and supporting volunteers.
  • Experience of working with black and minority ethnic communities. (s)
  • Experience of working with a range of agencies including public and voluntary sector agencies.
  • High level of computer literacy, particularly Microsoft Office.
  • Experience of supporting young people in distress as well as their carers, and or victims of crime or other related field. (s)
  • Experience in supporting witnesses through a court sittings (s)

Knowledge

  • Knowledge of the Criminal Justice System and the Youth Justice Board.
  • Knowledge of court proceeding
  • An understanding and commitment to the issue of confidentiality. In addition, an understanding of the complexities that exist when supporting victims of Gang crime. (s)
  • Knowledge of restorative justice.
  • An understanding of youth culture and knowledge of specialist services available to young people and their carer when in distress. (s)

Skills and abilities

  • Strong project management skills.
  • Ability to demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the needs and problems facing Witnesses within an inner city.
  • Ability to demonstrate an understanding and commitment to equal opportunities.
  • Ability to work on owns initiative, as well as the ability to work as a member of a staff team. (s)
  • Ability to work unsociable hours.
  • Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally with a wide range of individuals and agencies on behalf of the WS, and its users; and develop partnership working with local statutory and voluntary agencies to meet the needs of this project