Assistant Coroner Recruitment Pack for Blackpool and Fylde, Study notes of Law

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Candidate Information Pack

ASSISTANT CORONER

Blackpool and Fylde

Blackpool Council

January 2018

ASSISTANT CORONER FOR BLACKPOOL AND FYLDE

INFORMATION PACK

1. Advert page 3

2. Coroner Service Information page 4

3. Job Summary page 5

4. Summary of Terms and Conditions page 7

5. Recruitment and Selection Process page 8

6. Recruitment Timetable page 9

This recruitment pack has been drafted in accordance with the Coroners and

Justice Act 2009.

Notification The vacancy for this post has been notified to the Chief Coroner and Lord Chancellor (as required by statute).

2. CORONER SERVICE INFORMATION Area information The Blackpool and Fylde Coroner’s geographical area covers the town of Blackpool which is a Unitary Authority, and the neighbouring area of Fylde which falls within the Lancashire County Council area. The jurisdiction holds one prison, a secure facility for acute mental health patients, a teaching hospital which includes a regional specialist cardiac centre, numerous nursing homes, an airport and various holiday attractions. The area also contains sections of the M55 motorway as well as several major A-roads. The number of deaths registered annually averages 3500 with approximately cases 1700 referred to the senior coroner. Post mortem examinations are conducted at Blackpool Victoria Hospital by hospital based histo-pathologists. In 2016 253 inquests were held and 551 post-mortem examinations carried out ( 34 % of deaths referred to the Coroner). Office and court accommodation The service is located in dedicated accommodation, including offices and court in the Town Hall, Blackpool. The service is co-located with the Registration Service. The coroner’s court, which is next to the coroner’s offices, is available Monday-Friday allowing inquests to be opened quickly with dates set for inquest hearings, usually within the required six months. The average time from opening to hearing is currently 18 weeks. Staff Four coroner’s officers are employed by Blackpool Council. The Senior Coroner, the Assistant Coroners and Coroner’s Officers are supported by two coroner’s support staff who are employed by Blackpool Council. All support staff are co-located with the Senior Coroner, but the Coroner’s Officers work on a rota basis between the Town Hall offices and Blackpool Victoria Hospital. Management Accommodation, contracts, tendering, finance and support staff are managed by the Head of Customer Engagement and Life Events, who is employed by the Council in the Governance and Partnerships Directorate. The Head of Service works closely with the Senior Coroner on the delivery of the service to ensure those affected by the work of the Coroners office receive a high quality service. Daily operations As these are fee paid positions the Assistant Coroner will work on days and times as agreed with the Senior Coroner. You will be expected on occasion to be available out of hours on a rota basis [or as applicable]. The administrative support staff are responsible for answering incoming calls from the public on weekdays from 8.30am to 4.30pm.

3. JOB SUMMARY

Post Title ASSISTANT CORONER Service Area Customer Engagement and Life Events Contact point: Head of Customer Engagement and Life Events Location Town Hall, Blackpool To deliver a high quality coroner service to the people of Blackpool and Fylde in accordance with statutory provisions, case law, best practice and associated guidance. JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. To support the Senior Coroner to provide a high quality coroner service in accordance with statutory provisions, case law and associated guidance issued by the Chief Coroner.
2. To conduct investigations into deaths when made aware that bodies of deceased persons lie within the coroner area and there is reason to suspect that: - The deceased died a violent or unnatural death; - The cause of death is unknown; or - The deceased died while in custody or otherwise in state detention.
3. To determine the identity of the deceased and how, when and where the deceased came by his or her death; decide if a post-mortem examination is necessary and give directions to a pathologist or other appropriately qualified expert medical practitioner; to establish the medical cause of death.
4. Where required, to hold an inquest, with or without a jury, in accordance with Section 7 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 and as appropriate, to notify the relevant Registrar of Deaths of the findings and conclusion of the inquest, or the natural cause of death ascertained with or without a post-mortem examination or that the death reported does not require further inquiry or investigation.
5. To provide clear direction to staff on coroner investigations.
6. To be sensitive and, as far as possible, responsive to the needs and requirements of those who engage with the coroner service, including the bereaved, witnesses, medical personnel, police, the media and other stakeholders; and to manage their expectations.
7. To assist the Senior Coroner to ensure that the coroner service has planned for and is prepared for any significant emergencies which may occur or affect the coroner area.
8. To comply with the Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013 for 24 hour availability. To take into account the religious and cultural requirements of faith communities.
9. Where necessary to assist the Senior Coroner to engage with the local community, for example giving talks and seeking feedback and views. To collaborate and engage with external agencies and stakeholders as required.
10. To work co-operatively with the local authority staff team and police employees [where applicable] to ensure a safe, harmonious and effective working environment.
11. To deal with claims for treasure when required in accordance with statutory regulations and guidance.
12. To keep an up-to-date working knowledge of coroner law, practice and guidance, and advice staff on developments as appropriate.

Other Requirements Should you have experience of working as an Assistant Coroner in another coronial jurisdiction please provide detail of that experience including::  the number of days worked as coroner since appointment;  the number and type of inquests conducted as an Assistant Coroner;  the division of time between office work and court;  the number of Article 2 inquests conducted. As a fee paid Assistant Coroner, your sitting pattern will be agreed with the Senior Coroner You may be expected on occasion to be available out of hours.

4. SUMMARY OF TERMS & CONDITIONS The conditions of service applicable to the post are those set out in Schedule 3, Coroners and Justice Act 2009. You hold office on whatever terms are from time agreed. You will not be an employee of the Local Authority. Salary The post is fee paid and the current fee is £ 300 per day (rising to £375 per day from the 1st^ May 2018). Hours of work As this is a fee paid position you will work on days and times as agreed with the senior coroner. You may be asked to participate in an out of hour’s service, by agreement with the senior coroner. Holiday entitlement None (this is a fee paid appointment). Payment of expenses Expenses will be paid in line with the Council’s expenses policy. Reasonable expenses for attendance at judicial training (including travel expenses, accommodation where necessary and a normal sitting fee payable for each day of training) will be paid by the Local Authority. Indemnity The Council will indemnify you for costs or damages in relation to legal proceedings in accordance with Regulation 17 of The Coroners Allowances, Fees and Expenses Regulations 2013. Notice period You may resign from office by giving notice in writing to the relevant authority. However, the resignation does not take effect unless and until it is accepted by the authority. Politically restricted post This post is politically restricted under the terms of Schedule 3, paragraph 4 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009.

The Guide to Judicial Conduct You will comply with the standards as set out in the Guide to Judicial Conduct and other associated guidance.

5. RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION PROCESS Applications You are required to submit a CV and full supporting statement of up to two A4 pages. It is important that your supporting statement fully addresses the following criteria. 1. Efficient management and organisation. 2. Up to date knowledge of coroner law and guidance. 3. Coroner skills in the office and in court. 4. Integrity, sound judgment and decisiveness. 5. Collaborative working, with staff, relevant authority and police. 6. Communication skills. 7. Sensitivity to diversity and cultural requirements. If you do not complete a full supporting statement, your application will be rejected. Please ensure you include your work, home and mobile contact numbers, home address and e-mail addresses where applicable. Please note that correspondence will be via e-mail unless otherwise stated. All correspondence and details provided will remain confidential. Employment references Please include the name, address and contact details for two references. Candidates should also state their relationship to the referee and at least one should be your current/most recent employer/head of chambers/relevant authority. References will be taken up for short-listed candidates. Evidence of qualifications Candidates will be required to bring evidence of their qualifications to the interview. Employment checks The successful candidate will be required to undergo the Council’s pre-appointment medical screening. Disciplinary proceedings and criminal convictions check Due to the nature of the post, it is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore any conviction, whether spent or unspent, must be declared. Applicants invited to interview will be required to complete a declaration form. The successful candidate will be required to undergo a DBS check Applicants must specify in their application if they are subject of any complaint or disciplinary proceedings by any professional body to which they belong and clearly the outcome.