Public appointees needed for the Lay Observers
- Body
- Ministry of Justice
- Appointing Department
- Ministry of Justice
- Sectors
- Judicial, Prison & Policing, Prison & Policing, Regulation
- Location
- North England (including Manchester, Lancashire, Cumbria, County Durham, and Northumberland), The West Midlands, North Wales, Reading, and London.
- Skills required
- Regulation
- Number of Vacancies
- 30
- Remuneration
- This is an unpaid, voluntary role, but we pay your travel expenses and in certain circumstances, some loss of earnings and childcare/carer costs.
- Time Requirements
- 3 days a month during the initial 6 month probation period, and 2 days a month after completion. Lay Observers can choose when visits are made but are expected to undertake their visits during weekdays as many courts are not open at weekends.
- Closing Date
- 05/03/2023 0000
- Interviews
- 20 March 2023
Vacancy Description
We are currently recruiting new members to join the Lay Observers to undertake this statutory role that inspects the treatment received by detained persons in court custody suites and escort vehicles. Lay Observers report on whether or not detainees are treated with decency and respect and their welfare is appropriately managed.
Person Specification
Candidates must be over 18 years of age and be able to commit to a minimum of 2 days per month.
Applicants do not need any special qualifications or experience as we will provide all necessary training and support. We are looking for applicants who are enthusiastic, open minded, possess effective communication skills and have the ability to exercise sound, objective judgement.
Additional Information
Lay Observers (LOs) are an important part of the justice system. Appointed by the Secretary of State for Justice, LOs visit courts to confirm that detained persons are being treated with decency and respect. They also visit prisons to observe the handover of detained persons to also monitor their welfare during transport. We welcome applications from people over 18 from all walks of life and your background can be as a student, a person of working age, or retired. We would especially welcome candidates who are black, Asian, or from an ethnic minority background, as a diverse group strengthens the work we do. This is a rare opportunity to get involved in a role that is challenging, educational, rewarding, and crucial to the justice system. Please click on https://layobservers.org/ to find out how becoming a Lay Observer can benefit you and make a real difference to people’s lives. You can view a short video giving more details about the role.
How to Apply
An application pack along with further details on how to apply is available from https://layobservers.org/join-now/.
Reference Number: LO/Feb/2023 (to be quoted in all correspondence and on application form)