Job description
Job Title:
Specialist Services Worker – Restorative Justice (RJ)
Department:
Specialist Services
Reporting to:
Divisional Manager
Responsible for: Volunteers carrying out specific Restorative Justice support
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1. Purpose of the job
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To be responsible for the development of RJ programmes and the support of
victims of crime throughout the process.
To ensure the highest standards of service in accordance with the schemes policies
and priorities.
To develop and enhance relationships with local stakeholders with a view to
enhancing partnership working within the RJ process and representing and
supporting victims of crime.
To maintain and enhance service delivery standards and effectiveness.
To support RJ conferencing.
2. Main duties
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Research and liaise with statutory and voluntary agencies, for example the Police,
Youth Offending Teams, Probation and other stakeholders providing RJ schemes
with a view to encouraging victim led RJ as per Victim Supports policy.
Provide information and support to other stakeholders in relation to RJ with a view
to developing victim lead processes.
Research and make recommendations as to how RJ may be developed in the
division.
Provide support to victims engaging in the restorative process as appropriate.
When necessary respond to victims who self-refer.
Assist Senior Service Delivery Managers to recruit train and support volunteers to
underpin the mechanism for supporting victims in the RJ process and conferencing.
Support and advise Service Delivery Managers in relation to Restorative Justice.
Provide information regarding the RJ process to victims of crime.
Ensure that victims of crime taking part in RJ are able to access all the support
services available to them.
Maintain good liaison with the police and all other relevant agencies to develop in
order to develop and sustain referral policies.
Keep accurate records of all work done with or on behalf of victims and produce
written reports as requested.
Provide appropriate information and support to partner agencies.
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Attend appropriate meetings with partner agencies representing victims of crime
and communicate information to victims if required.
Ensure that Victim Support Staff and volunteers are fully informed of issues likely to
affect victims who engage in restorative practice/conferencing.
Ensure all work is undertaken in accordance with Victim Support policies, including
Confidentiality and Equal Opportunities Policies.
Liaise and represent Victim Support with all relevant agencies.
3. General Responsibilities
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Ensure compliance with legal, ethical, regulatory and social requirements.
Manage personal resources and own professional development.
Ensure all duties are carried out in a manner which promotes Victim Supports
equality and diversity policies.
Undertake other appropriate Victim Support as required.
Promote health and safety culture within the workplace. Observe health and safety
rules and procedures and attend all training courses as required. Where appropriate
conduct risk assessments.
Ensure essential information of a sensitive or personal nature is not disclosed to or
discussed with inappropriate persons.
All information must be maintained in accordance with the Data Protection Act.
Be an active and effective team member.
4. Travel
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Travel throughout the West Yorkshire area will be required and occasionally outside
the area as appropriate.
5. Unsocial Hours
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Unsocial hours may need to be worked as necessary for the proper performance of
the role, including weekends and evenings.
This job description serves to illustrate the type and duties currently required of the above
post and to provide an indication of the required level of responsibility. It is not a
comprehensive or exclusive list and duties may be varied from time to time. They will not
however change the general character of the job or the level of responsibility entailed.
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Person Specification
Job Title:
Specialist Services Worker - Restorative Justice
Department:
Specialist Services
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Over 6 months and up to 1 year’s experience of:
1. Knowledge and Experience
Essential
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Delivering a service and working directly with clients or service users in a
statutory, voluntary or community work setting or complex customer focused
organisation.(S)
Knowledge and understanding of criminal justice processes.
Experience of working with those affected by crime.
Have knowledge of voluntary and statutory agencies including relevant
professional roles particularly in the criminal justice system. (S)
Knowledge of Restorative Justice Procedures. (S)
Understanding and knowledge of an active commitment to promoting equal
opportunities and diversity. (S)
Experience of working with vulnerable individuals.
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Desirable
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Working independently and part of a team.
An understanding of partnership working and multi-agency approach with
statutory and voluntary organisations.
Knowledge of the principles of advocacy.
Experience of monitoring performance against targets and standards.
Understanding and knowledge of the requirements for confidentiality and safe
working practice and maintenance of files in accordance with the Data Protection
Act and other legal requirements.
Understanding of the voluntary sector, volunteers and staff.
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Skills and Abilities
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Ability to work on own initiative, prioritise work and deal with competing or
conflicting demands in an organised methodical manner. (S)
Ability to communicate sensitively and effectively both verbally and in writing with
a wide range of people both individually and in groups. (S)
IT skills and be able to work with all Microsoft Office applications and the ability to
input and extract information and produce reports.
Influence others.
The discipline required to maintain the standards of Restorative Justice.
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Instil confidence in others to manage Restorative Justice interventions.
Gather, analyse and use information and evidence from different sources, solve
and resolve problems.
Think logically and plan methodically for operational effectiveness. (S)
Build and develop effective teams. (S)
Value and support others.
Recognise own strengths and weaknesses.
Promote the work of Victim Support.
Will be required to work flexible hours and travel around the division.
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Qualifications
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ONC level or ‘A’ Levels or Scottish Higher or equivalent job elated qualifications
including specialist knowledge of a function, craft or trade acquired through
advanced formal training.
It would be advantageous to have a qualification in relation to Restorative Justice
procedures.
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(S) = Shortlisting Criteria
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