Job info |
Job info details |
Job title |
ASB & Vulnerability Investigation Officer |
Strategic team/Directorate |
Adults and Community Services |
Service |
Community & Customer Services |
Business unit |
Community Safety |
Responsible to (day to day issues) |
Manager of Operations - ASB & Vulnerability Team |
Accountable to (line manager) |
Manager or Operations - ASB & Vulnerability Team |
Salary grade |
24 - 27 |
JE ref |
JOT05 |
1. Key purpose of job
- To investigate reports related to anti-social behaviour, and filthy and verminous (F&V) or hoarded properties, advise on the most appropriate courses of action and where necessary, instigate formal legal proceedings.
- To deliver ASB reduction strategies with partner agencies and provide advice to partners when instigating their own actions.
- To assist collaborative working with partners to improve working practices around vulnerable individuals and those with complex needs.
- To maintain and improve as necessary health, safety and welfare in Torbay, by the enforcement of appropriate legislation and from time to time to assist other Officers within the Business Unit.
2. Anticipated outcomes of post
- All ASB issues will be dealt with in a timely way with detailed and professional assessment.
- The reduction of incidents and fear of crime, disorder, and anti-social behaviour across Torbay.
- Increased use and understanding of restorative interventions across key partner agencies within and out of the criminal justice system.
- The delivery of socially just and trauma informed interventions, skilfully balancing care and control strategies.
- The provision of a service that is more integrated with health, Criminal Justice agencies and other organisations providing better and more effective outcomes across Torbay.
- That innovative partnership arrangements exist and evolve to ensure the effective delivery of services that address the vulnerability and safeguarding of individuals.
- The delivery of effective case and risk management, with excellent customer service, that ensures the safety of community.
3. List key duties and accountabilities of the post
- As an Employee of Torbay Council all roles are expected to work in a way that ensures vulnerable children and adults are safeguarded and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with established policies and procedures. The Designated Senior Lead for Safeguarding is the Chief Executive and Director of Children’s Services.
- To undertake enforcement action against breaches of legislation and to effectively deal with breaches through a range of enforcement approaches including advice, warnings, the service of legal notices including Fixed Penalty Notices and/or by prosecutions.
- To investigate complaints from the public into a range of anti-social behaviours including F&V properties and hoarding.
- Facilitate and or provide ongoing support to victims, witnesses, and perpetrators, keeping in regular contact on the progress of the case.
- Take a proactive approach to working with partner agencies in engaging communities in tackling ASB.
- To make representations at Court where necessary, making appropriate use of available legislation to challenge and protect against offending / harmful behaviour.
- To deputise for the Manager of Operations at various multi-agency meetings and forums where necessary.
- To give advice to partner agencies on appropriate interventions, problem solving strategies and alternative dispute resolutions.
- To undertake work with adult offenders and victims that may have complex needs and be highly vulnerable, ensuring any support needs or evident risk factors are identified and any necessary safeguarding or supportive actions are taken.
- Identify appropriate opportunities for restorative interventions.
- To ensure that all evidence and information gathered in the course of investigations are stored and recorded in line with national legislation and legal guidelines.
- The preparation of case files for prosecution and attending Court to provide evidence where appropriate, often at short notice or with tight deadlines to provide a swift response to escalating situations. To assist partner agencies with their related Court actions by way of providing supportive evidence and practical assistance.
- To deal with the public both via telephone and face to face during the course of investigations and ensure that the public are kept informed of the progress of their concern/complaint.
- To attend and play and active role in the safeguarding process.
- To co-ordinate where necessary mental health response to any vulnerabilities associated with F&V and hoarding properties.
- Liaise with contractors to undertake works in default.
- To maintain and submit accurate, timely records for the effective performance of duties.
- To ensure the proper use and care of legal notices and ensuring that they are appropriately processed through the Council’s financial and legal systems.
- To ensure that a customer focussed service is provided that strives to be innovative in its search for continuous improvement.
- To ensure that Senior Managers are kept aware of all developments requiring their decision and reporting, whenever necessary, as required.
- To provide the Council’s policy of Customer Care through the provision of a fair, efficient service, clearly explained to our customers and demonstrating a positive attitude in all aspects of work.
4. Budgetary/Financial Responsibilities of the post
5. Supervision/Line Management Responsibilities of the post
6. Working environment and conditions of the post
- The post holder will be required to work with and challenge the behaviours of a wide cross section of society who can include some of the most vulnerable and prolific offenders in Torbay and therefore encounter various degrees of challenging responses.
- The post-holder will be required to enter domestic properties where the occupants are unknown, and this may occur both within office hours or as part of out of hours investigations.
- The post-holder will be assessing and visiting filthy and verminous properties including those that are hoarding.
7. Physical demands of the post
8. Specific resources used by the post
- The post-holder has shared access to a pool/shared van and is expected to use this vehicle for Council duties wherever possible.
- The post-holder will be responsible for ensuring the repair, maintenance and safe keeping of a variety of allocated resources including hand-held IT equipment, specialist drainage equipment and other onsite environmental equipment such as noise meters.
9. Key contacts and relationships
- External
- The general public, businesses, residents’ groups, community groups and voluntary sector.
- Statutory agencies including Devon and Cornwall Police Service, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Services, Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, Registered Providers, National Probation Service, Third Sector organisations.
- Internal
- Community Safety Management Team.
- Town Centre Wardens.
- Rough Sleeper & Tenancy Sustainment Teams.
- Housing Options.
- Elected Members.
- Legal Services.
- SWISco.
- Registrars.
10. Other duties
- To undertake additional duties as required, commensurate with the level of the job. Due to the nature of the post, it is expected that the post-holder will be flexible as regards working hours/days. Weekend and evening work will be required at times.
Other Information
- All staff must commit to Equal Opportunities and Anti-Discriminatory Practice.
- The Council operates a Smoke-Free Policy and the post-holder is prohibited from smoking in any of the Council's buildings (including Council owned and Council leased buildings, but excluding designated areas in residential schemes), enclosed spaces within the curtilage of buildings, and Council vehicles. The Council does not permit smoking breaks within work time, however, in services where the flexi-scheme is in operation, employees may take reasonable break times outside of core hours, in accordance with flexi-time arrangements. Employees should follow the flexi-scheme procedure for agreeing time away from their duties in the normal manner with their immediate colleagues and line manager, with break start and finish times being recorded, as with any other break-time arrangement.
- The post-holder is expected to familiarise themselves with and adhere to all relevant Council Policies and Procedures.
- The post-holder must comply with the Council’s Health and Safety requirements as outlined in the H&S policy appropriate to the role.
- This post is office based at Tor Hill House but the post holder may be required to move their base to any other location within the Council at a future date.
- The post-holder must be committed to the Council’s Core Values for employees – “Torbay Council employees are committed to being forward thinking, people orientated and adaptable - always with integrity”. Evidence will be sought during the probation and appraisal processes.
- If you are required to use your own vehicle on Council business or drive a council vehicle you will be asked to provide information on any driving endorsements by accessing gov.uk/view-driving-licence and providing a code to your Line Manager in order to share your driving licence information with the Council.
- As this post meets the requirements in respect of exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, all applicants who are offered employment will be subject to a criminal record check (Disclosure) from the Disclosure & Barring Service before the appointment is confirmed. This will include details of ALL cautions, reprimands or final warnings as well as convictions, whether “spent” or “unspent”. Criminal convictions will only be taken into account when they are relevant to the post.
- Torbay Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo the checks appropriate to the post applied for.
- The post holder is expected to work in a way that ensures vulnerable children and adults are safeguarded and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with established policies and procedures.
- As this post meets the requirements of the Immigration Act 2017 (part 7) the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.
Person Specification
Note for Candidate
All Candidates
The supporting statement on your application form will be used to assess ability to meet the essential requirements of the role, so you should explain how you meet each of the numbered essential requirements within your supporting statement.
In a competitive situation, the desirable criteria may be taken into consideration, so you are encouraged to show how you also meet each of the desirable criteria.
Candidates who consider that they have a disability
Reasonable adjustments will be made to the job, job requirements or recruitment process for candidates with a disability.
If you consider yourself to have a disability you should indicate this on your application form, providing any information you would like us to take into account with regard to your disability in order to offer a fair selection interview.
Where ever possible and reasonable we will make adjustments and offer alternatives to help you through the application and selection process.
If you have indicated that you have a disability on your application form you will be guaranteed an interview if you clearly demonstrate in your supporting evidence how you broadly meet the essential requirements of the role.
Job info |
Job info details |
Job Title |
ASB & Vulnerability Investigation Officer |
Strategic team/Directorate |
Adults and Community Services |
Service |
Community & Customer Services |
Business unit |
Community Safety |
Skills and effectiveness
Essential skills and effectiveness
- To be able to use effectively a range of modes of communication including, formal and in formal reports and in presentations taking into account issues of confidentiality.
- To be able to communicate with clarity, tact and purpose in all relevant situations.
- Good organisational ability, particularly self-organisation, ability to see tasks through to a successful conclusion.
- Attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate records.
- Ability to establish positive relationships with partners, generating confidence and respect.
- Ability to contribute towards change.
- Able to elicit information from service users, carers and professional staff surrounding a wide range of topics.
- A democratic and inclusive style.
- Ability and willingness to make appropriate evidence-based recommendations in complex cases, ability to work independently.
- Ability to form and maintain appropriate professional relationships and boundaries with clients.
- Pro-activity in seeking opportunities for development of skills and knowledge.
- Confidence to suggest practice change where need is identified.
- Initiative and commitment with a flexible approach to work.
- Ability to develop and record rational and persuasive arguments.
- As this post meets the requirements of the Immigration Act 2016 (part 7), the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.
Desirable skills and effectiveness
- High standard of report writing.
- Work with a broad spectrum of partners to achieve results.
Knowledge
Essential knowledge
- Essential knowledge.
- Effective understanding of the Environmental Protection Act, Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act, Mental Capacity Act and Public Health Act.
- Knowledge of ASB escalation process.
- Knowledge of PACE, CPIA and RIPA procedures.
- Understanding of Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and relevance to the Local Authority.
- Knowledge of proper service of notices / legal documents.
- Knowledge of alternative dispute resolution.
- Working knowledge of risk assessments, Safeguarding, MAPPA etc.
- Knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of Statutory and voluntary agencies and experience of liaising with them.
- Knowledge of PC based computer systems, including Excel and Word.
- Knowledge and understanding of case management and the appropriate provision of information to external agencies.
Desirable knowledge
- Knowledge of different interventions that can be undertaken by internal and external partners to undertake tailor-made problem solving.
- Other relevant legislation relating to ASB.
- Knowledge of the roles, responsibilities, and powers of Social Housing Providers.
- Ability to use Police computer databases/systems and the information they hold.
Experience and achievements
Essential experience and achievements
- Experience working with vulnerable individuals who have complex needs.
- Experience of attending multi agency complex meetings.
- Experience or working collaboratively with other professionals and agencies.
- Ability to be holistic and assess the needs of individuals taking into account developmental. Behavioural and environmental factors.
- Demonstrate experience of successful partnership working leading to measurable improvements in outcomes.
- Experience of preparing cases for prosecution and undertaking investigations in line with the relevant legal procedures.
- Experience of attending and being actively involved in Court action.
- Conflict management and problem solving.
- Experience of writing statements and drafting warnings and legal proceeding.
- Experience of preparing and undertaking PACE interviews.
- Demonstrate experience of undertaking an investigation from initial complaint to a successful outcome.
Desirable experience and achievements
- Experience of working for a public focused organisation.
- Experience of court proceedings, particularly giving evidence to courts.
- Experience of outreach/community based working.
- Experience of producing reports.
Qualifications/professional memberships
Essential qualifications/professional memberships
- Educated to GCSE O Level standard or equivalent.
- To have studied and achieved a relevant qualification at HND level or equivalent.
- ECDL or equivalent IT experience.
Desirable qualifications/professional memberships
- Up to date training in enforcement issues and relevant legislative requirements.
- Professional qualification in housing or related area of work.
Other requirements
Other requirements of the job role
- Demonstrates a commitment to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people.
- Ability to travel efficiently around the Bay and South-West in order to carry out duties.
- Ability to accommodate unsociable hours.
- Ability to accommodate shift patterns.
- Ability to accommodate on-call working.
- Ability to accommodate occasional/permanent home working.