Coroners Officer

Job Introduction
**Role Purpose**

HM Coroner for Dorset investigates the circumstances of all deaths where there is reason to suspect that the cause of death is unknown, is violent or unnatural, or occurred whilst the deceased was in lawful custody.

Acting as principle liaison between the bereaved and other agencies for HM Coroner for Dorset, the Coroners Officer will work within a small but very busy team based at the Coroner's Offices and Courts located at the Civic Centre in Bournemouth.

You will be responsible for ensuring that all cases assigned are investigated and dealt with in a timely, professional manner, adhering to set protocols and coronial legislation including the Coroners and Justice Act 2009, the Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013 and the Coroners (Inquests) Rules 2013 and other relevant statutory provisions and case law. You will also need to comply with the Chief Coroner’s written advice and guidance.

**Main Responsibilities**
- To act as a single point of contact for the bereaved as well as other interested parties and HM Coroner for Dorset
- Ensure identification of the deceased is made by making all possible enquiries of relatives, friends, police and witnesses. Obtain a full antecedent history of the deceased and pertinent evidence for any subsequent inquest or other judicial proceeding
- Liaise with HM Coroner for Dorset,** **Police**, **healthcare professionals and other agencies involved in the investigation of a death to ensure full enquiries are made of any person who can assist with the investigation
- Prepare reports for and brief HM Coroner for Dorset against which the decision to hold an inquest, with or without a jury, will be made. Arrange inquests as directed by, and to the satisfaction of HM Coroner
- You will also be required to present information to a Coroner at open inquests in open court and present evidence at court in summary cases
- Take statements from independent witnesses and family members as necessary
- To undertake administrative tasks associated with case file preparation including disclosure bundles and working as part of a team
- You will be required to undertake on-call and weekend working on a roster basis.
- Degree educated with 3 A Levels, NVQ 4 in Business Administration (or equivalent experience)
- Good working knowledge of ICT including Microsoft 365 and other programmes relevant to the role.
- Extensive experience of operating effectively within an administrative role
- Able to write concise and structured reports and files
- Attention to detail and methodical approach to work at all times and be able to prioritise where necessary
- Able to work under pressure and to tight deadlines
- Able to work collaboratively and unsupervised following a period of training and development
- Possess mature interactive communication skills with the ability to deal with potentially difficult and volatile situations in a professional and calm manner
- Possess a high level of resilience and able to deal with distressing situations in a professional, dignified and respectful manner without compromising the needs and reputation of the service
- Highly motivated with a confident demeanour.

**About BCP Council**

BCP Council provides services to a diverse community of 400,000 residents and employs more than 5,000 people. Our area includes over 15 miles of beautiful world-renowned coastline. We can offer career defining roles to transform and improve services. By working with us, you can help deliver a vision of a thriving, word-class, prosperous and inclusive place for generations to come.

**Our Benefits**

We offer an excellent benefits package to colleagues. Find out more on our website.

As a result of the creation of BCP Council in 2019, we are working on simplifying our terms and conditions of service and will be creating a single pay structure which is to be applicable for all employees. It is important to us that we offer benefits that our colleagues value as part of their total employment package and we are reviewing these to make sure we have it right. We are in the process of establishing a timescale for implementation and colleagues joining us will be included in these changes. This is expected to be in place in 2024.