Witness Care Officer - Police Staff

We currently have 2 vacancies for Witness Care Officers (WCO) to join our team in the Witness Care Unit - part of the Criminal Justice Department of Nottinghamshire Police.

As a Witness Care Officer, you would work in a close-knit team of 16 Witness Care Officers, 3 Administration Assistants, and 2 Team Leaders.

The Full Time Witness Care Officer role is office-based Monday through Friday. The Part Time Witness Care Officer role ideally would also be office-based Monday through Friday but there is room for discussion.

The Witness Care Unit's Day to day business is closely aligned with the court's operating times.

Witness Care Officers contact victims and witnesses with court outcomes and updates is via phone, email, letter and text. Please note the role does not involve face-to-face/in person interaction with victims and/or witnesses.

WCOs provide court outcomes, updates, information and practical support to victims and witnesses who have provided statements in criminal matters moving through the Court process. The role is fast paced and demanding involving liaising with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), courts (HMCTS) and victims and witnesses daily and working to changing priorities and time scales.

WCOs work to standards and timescales set out in the Victim’s Code of Practice which mandates that victims are updated with court outcomes within 24 hours.

WCOs deal with the full spectrum of cases from shop thefts through to the most serious offences such as serious sexual assaults, domestic abuse matters and fatalities. The successful candidate will receive on the job training starting with less serious matters dealt with at Magistrates Court until moving on to more serious matters in the Crown Court.

When victims and witnesses are required to attend court to provide their evidence WCOs warn and confirm their attendance. They explain the summons process if victims/witnesses refuse to attend court. They also arrange, travel, accommodation, interpreters, and childcare. They gain and provide witness availabilities to CPS to aid in setting trial dates. They inform victims and witnesses of late changes to trial schedules and make onward referrals to third sector organizations which provide emotional and other types of support to victims and witnesses.

Given current backlogs in the courts, a growing part of the WCO role is to keep victims and witnesses engaged in the process throughout what can be long delays.

As a WCO you will liaise with police officers, the Crown Prosecution (CPS) and His Majesty’s Court and Tribunal Service (HMCTS) and Witness Service working to support effective trials in both Magistrates and Crown Court.

Successful candidates will have experience providing services or support to clients in a sensitive and supportive manner and in a pressurized environment. They must have excellent communication skills – both written and verbal, be detail focused and have the capacity to maintain professionalism and empathy while managing large caseloads and working to strict deadlines.

The ability to maintain a level of emotional detachment from clients and cases while providing a victim centered service is also key with a view to maintaining a healthy work/life balance.

Occasional late shift working as part of a pre-planned team Rota is required.

For further information about the role please contact Ben Sutton Witness Care Team Leader

***email_hidden***

Benefits

Pension scheme – We pay around double the member contribution

Support networks and wellbeing

Annual leave entitlement – Starting at 24 days and increasing with length of service

Blue Light Card discounts

Flexible and agile working where suitable

Please see attached document titled ‘Police Staff Benefits’ for further benefits and information.

To Apply

When applying, please complete the information on the next few screens.

The attached Job Description provides further details about the role.

When applying, refer to the person specification to evidence how you demonstrate your suitability for the role, ensuring the four areas have been considered.

You can also attach a supporting statement of no more than 2000 words referring to the person specification to evidence how you demonstrate your suitability for the role, along with your CV.

Please ensure any documents you attach during your application do not have your name or any identifiable personal details included within the text or the document name (including any images), so that your application can remain anonymous.

For current Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner staff applicants, please note that Nottinghamshire Police would be a new employer. However, an agreement has been made whereby all tenure and length of service will be honoured.

Vetting Level – Recruitment – you must have resided in the UK for at least the last 3 years, with less than 12 months spent abroad (some exceptions for those living on a UK military base).

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

All applicants will be subject to the Nottinghamshire Police Vetting Policy.

Nottinghamshire Police is committed to the principles of Equality, Fairness and Diversity, and we welcome applications from all sections of the community in our efforts to recruit a diverse and flexible workforce that reflects the people we serve.

Reasonable adjustments will be considered at a later stage for candidates successfully shortlisted. Please be aware, this will not cause any detriment or impact to your application, our aim is to support you throughout the process.

Current Nottinghamshire Police staff only: Candidates currently at risk will be required to complete and attach the at-risk pro-forma document.

Job details

Job reference

REQ001501

Date posted

23/06/2026

Application closing date

07/07/2026

Location

Mansfield

Salary

£28,071 to £29,859 per annum (pro-rata if part time)

Package

1 x Full-time Permanent role - 37 hours per week 1 x Part-time Permanent role - 26 hours per week

Contractual hours

Basis

Multiple - Part time

Job category/type

Criminal Justice