Operational Delivery

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.

HM Courts and Tribunals Service

Directorate:     CTSC

Grade:     AO

Job Title:     Support Officer

Location:       Salford Quays

Expected start dates from 31st July 2023 and every 2 or 3 weeks after that date. There is a two-week induction that is full time but can be worked from home or the office; and a 6-week training academy that is office based and your learning journey would benefit greatly if this was also full time. 

Who are we?

HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) is an agency of the Ministry of Justice. We provide support for the legal system across England and Wales, ensuring justice works for everyone.   

Our justice system defends our fundamental rights and freedoms. It is a cornerstone of our modern society and it must serve all those who call on it, when they call on it. From some of the most vulnerable people in our society, to families in crisis, claimants, and commercial businesses – we have a responsibility to deliver a Justice system that is accessible to everyone and operates efficiently.

Support Officer – Salford

Successful candidates will join our team in the role of Customer Service and Administration Officer (CTSC Support Officer) in Salford. These are telephony-based roles and you will need to be confident using IT.

(See the attached candidate pack for specific information regarding the service lines supported by the team at Salford)

The Courts and Tribunals Service Centres provide hubs for telephony, assisted digital, case progression and hearing support and will provide a consistent national service that enables cases to move through to conclusion smoothly and that provide the right support to the local judiciary.  

Spread nationally over several sites, these centres will be home to just under half of our workforce in total. We are working to reform a Justice system that has in the past relied heavily on paper-based processes and the CTSCs are among the first steps in being able to support a modern, digital Justice system.

You can join our team on either full time, part time or compressed hours contracts. The office is open between Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm and Saturdays 8am to 4pm. All staff are expected to work Saturdays on a rota basis. We can offer Saturday working as part of your weekly contracted hours. 

Hybrid working is currently available where some work can be done from home and the office. This is offered on a business needs basis. 

Role Purpose

This role is the main customer-facing role in CTSC and will provide an accessible and inclusive service to users, providing clear signposting and guidance to all users, coaching them in the use of the online platform and providing information to resolve their queries and processing/updating high-volume case details accurately and efficiently. They will deal with the needs of service users.

Key accountabilities include:

•    Provide professional friendly support and guidance to users of online services via a variety of channels (telephony, webchat, email), in line with quality standards, to ensure the delivery of a high-quality customer/user focused service on a daily basis and deliver a service focused on quality as well as timeliness. 
•    Undertake case-readiness assessment and progress the case to the next phase. Provide information to allow users to understand what they can expect next.
•    Identify users requiring extra/different support and undertake basic assessment of users’ Assisted Digital needs in accordance with procedures. Refer suitable cases to our third-party supplier.
•    To handle, and where possible resolve, first contact user complaints in accordance with predefined HMCTS policy and procedures so that users feel they have been listened to and that their complaint has been handled fairly. Update the CRM system so details do not have to be repeated to a different CTSC Support Officer.
•    Read relevant knowledge articles to maintain accurate and up-to-date knowledge of processes and systems. 

Person Specification

•    Have excellent customer service skills using telephone, webchat and email to ensure a professional and speedy customer experience.
•    Be able to empathise with our customers.
•    Promote and support customers to engage digitally and use online applications.
•    Be able to explain information clearly so our customers feel reassured and they know what they need to do.
•    Be flexible and adaptive to support business needs.
•    Proactively resolve routine problems and escalate serious issues.

Please refer to the Job Description and Candidate Pack attached below for further information on this role. 

Salary

£21,775

Additional Information

Working Arrangements & Further Information

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

For nationally advertised roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre-employment checks.

Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on ‘modernised’ terms in their current post or onto ‘unmodernised’ MoJ terms if they are on ‘unmodernised’ terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

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 qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.

Pension

The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Training

The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Networks

The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.

Support

• A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
• Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
• For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
• Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
• Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s recruitment principles. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

• To Shared Service Connected Ltd (0845 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am – 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com);
• To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-office@justice.gov.uk);
• To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team.

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.