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Based at HM Coroner's Offices and Court, Civic Centre, Bourne Avenue, Bournemouth BH1 6DY.

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.

BCP Council is seeking to appoint a part-time, job-share Coroner’s Officer to support the Coroner in the carrying out of investigative and administrative tasks in connection with the occurrence of sudden and reportable deaths within the Dorset Coroner’s area.

Acting as principle liaison between the bereaved and other agencies for HM Coroner for Dorset, you will work within a small but very busy team based at the Coroner's Offices and Courts located at Bournemouth Civic Centre, Bourne Avenue in Bournemouth. There will be a flexible approach to working both within office premises and at home following a period of training.

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 include:

• 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, uniformed officers and healthcare professionals 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
• Arrange for the attendance of witnesses and a jury in appropriate cases; prepare inquest papers and expenses for HM Coroner's verdict and signature. You will also be required to present information to a Coroner to open inquests in open court and present evidence at court in summary cases
• Take statements from independent witnesses and family members as necessary.

You will be required to work on a Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in order to work effectively with your job share partner who will be working on a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday ensuring continuity of caseload.

You will be required to undertake a number of administrative tasks associated with case file preparation and working as part of a team.

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 all of our employees will move on to. 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’re hoping to implement these changes in 2024 and all colleagues joining us will be included in these changes.