Coroners Court Coordinator
Permanent, Full Time
£23,344 to £24,731 per annum
Location: Chelmsford
Working Style: Fixed-base worker
The Opportunity
Coroners Service is an essential service for the residents of Essex and has just moved into new purpose-built offices in Seax House. It provides an investigative service assisting in the execution of the coroner’s legal and public duties. It provides a local service to the community investigating unnatural or violent deaths, where the cause of death is unknown or the death took place in prison, police custody or another type of state detention, such as a mental health institution. The service provides bereaved people and other relevant parties an explanation of the coroner’s investigation and the inquest process.
The service is made up of Coroners, judicial officers, and Coroners Officers. The Coroners Officers are ECC employees and are a link between the coroner and the bereaved. They also liaise with stakeholders such as NHS trusts/GPs/Funeral directors /Pathologists/as well collating all relevant documentation necessary for the coroner.
This role is focused primarily on ensuring the smooth running of the Coroners Court including directing family and jury members, ensuring relevant case files are ready and available, that all court equipment is available, as well as providing support during hearings. When courts are not in session, the role will be required to support simple administration tasks which contribute to the running of the service.
The role holder will need good communication and engagement skills to support both Coroners and bereaved family members, as well as a high level of resilience as often cases will be disturbing and distressing in nature.
Accountabilities
- Responsible for attending and supporting the operation of the Coroner’s Court for all aspects of inquest hearings whilst they are being held, as well as providing support to the Coroner and Coroner’s Officers, ensuring files are ready prior to inquest, and all supplies required at court are available and replenished regularly
- Ensure management of the digital display of evidence in court including witness evidence by video link when required
- Ensure the courtroom is prepared ready for use and all inquests are recorded and filed to statutory requirements.
- Liaise with bereaved families, juries, witnesses, lawyers, press and other interested parties whilst at court to ensure they are fully aware of the processes, keep all parties informed throughout the inquest, and liaise with court volunteers to keep them updated as required
- Read witness statements in court as required, support swearing and affirmation of oath processes
- Ensure messages are passed to the coroner from the Jury and prevent anyone from approaching the Jury without permission
- Support the smooth running of the office by undertaking basic/simple administrative duties such as answering telephone enquiries, photocopying and filing
- Ensure inquest files are archived and managed according to office processes including the updating and uploading basic information onto the coroner case management system
The Experience You Will Bring
- Educated to GCSE Level
- Excellent organisational skills
- Methodical and accurate
- Ability to prioritise workload
- Ability to work to strict deadlines
- Ability to work in confidential and sensitive situations
- Good standard of IT skills and use of technology.
- Confident and clear public speaking voice
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Why Essex?
As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.
We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.
As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service
Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
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If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk
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