Accredited Police Station Representative, Cheltenham

**Accredited Police Station Representative, Cheltenham - 69178**
**£31,265 - £34,446**
**Cheltenham**:
**The Public Defender Service**

The Public Defender Service (PDS) is a department of the Legal Aid Agency (LAA) that operates alongside private providers delivering a full range of quality, value for money services within the criminal defence market.

Informed by its participation in the market, PDS contributes credible and expert advice to the government on service and policy development affecting the sector and acts as a test-bed for innovation and quality improvements.

PDS operations provide a critical safeguard against market failure across England and Wales, thereby ensuring the LAA fulfils its statutory responsibility to ensure continuous access to justice.

**Job Summary**

Key Responsibilities:

- Providing correct, appropriate and timely advice to clients by telephone and face-to-face (at the police station, courts and office) and following up in writing as appropriate.
- Preparation of Crown Court cases - from allocation through to trial or sentence and briefing of appropriate counsel.
- Provide expert input, as and when required, to various projects within the Agency and wider Government’.

**Essential Criteria**:

- Accredited Police Station Representative, fully qualified to represent clients in England and Wales with excellent practical knowledge of criminal law, evidence and procedure.
- Ability and willingness to work flexibly including during unsociable hours as part of the office 24/7 rota
- Effective communication skills and personal presence that enables rapport-building with criminal defence clients, a broad range of external stakeholders and with own team members and colleagues, with the ability to challenge police and other prosecution authorities in a manner that is effective, professional and in the best interests of the client.
- Experience in preparing a range of cases to trial in the Crown Court.
- Personal resilience with a genuine commitment to personal care, to maintain mental and physical wellbeing of self and team members in a working environment that may present emotional and other challenges.
- Commitment to the wider aims of the PDS to become an exemplar of best practice in criminal litigation and advocacy and its remit to act as a test-bed for innovation, increased efficiencies and quality improvements for the benefit of the wider criminal defence community.
- Enthusiasm to engage with new technologies to enhance quality and create efficiencies based on sound IT skills (particularly Microsoft Office), and the willingness to self-create the majority of own documentation.
- Possession of a full driving licence and access to a motor vehicle, together with flexibility and preparedness to travel to cover cases across England and Wales if required.

**Assessment Approach**

**Application and Assessment Process**

The following behaviours will be assessed at the sift stage and must be demonstrated at level 3 - HEO/SEO.

**Communicating and Influencing**

Communicate in a straightforward, honest and engaging manner, choosing appropriate styles to maximise understanding and impact. Ensure communication has a clear purpose and takes into account people’s individual needs. Share information as appropriate and check understanding. Show positivity and enthusiasm towards work, encouraging others to do the same. Ensure that important messages are communicated with colleagues and stakeholders respectfully, taking into consideration the diversity of interests.

**Working Together**

Encourage joined up teamwork within own team and across other groups. Establish professional relationships with a range of stakeholders. Collaborate with these to share information, resources and support. Invest time to develop a common focus and genuine positive team spirits where colleagues feel values and respect one another. Consider the wellbeing of individuals within the team, including consideration of your own needs. Actively seek and consider input of people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

**Delivering at Pace**

Follow relevant policies, procedures and legislation to complete your work. Have a positive and focussed attitude to achieving outcomes, despite any setbacks. Regularly check performance against objectives, making suggestions for improvement or taking corrective action where necessary. Ensure that colleagues are supported where tasks are challenging.

**Interviews**

As well as the above behaviours, strengths applicable to the role will also be assessed at interview.

**Salary**:
£31,265 - £34,446

**Additional Information**:
**Working Arrangements & Further Information**

**Flexible working hours**

The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices.

**Benefits**

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:
**Annual Leave**

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.

There is also a scheme to allow