His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service

Job Title: Royal Courts of Justice Security - Deputy Shift Leader

Background

Security HM Courts and Tribunals Service has embarked on a reform programme that will include significant estates modernisation and greater use of digital solutions and will provide much improved services for service users. Our vision is to have an efficient and effective courts and tribunals system which enables the rule of law to be upheld and provides access to justice for all.

Significant investment has been made by HM Treasury to allow HMCTS to provide a more accessible system which is modern and responsive, treats those who use our service with dignity and respect, and which provides better value for money for the taxpayer. Key to implementing the reform programme will be close collaboration with the judiciary, and effective staff engagement. Maintaining a positive and lasting connection between HMCTS management and its staff at this time of such significant change will be critical to success.

An effective courts and tribunals service is fundamental to our democracy, underpinning the rule of law. This is an important opportunity to work in a leadership role that will support and enable this major transformation programme designed not just to give our courts and tribunals a sustainable and affordable future, but to improve further the delivery of justice.

Our service is currently largely organised regionally, and delivered locally, through a large number of courts and tribunal venues. As the reform programme progresses, we will increasingly deliver our services nationally through customer service centres, with local venues continuing to be used for hearings. The Royal Courts of Justice will continue to be a flagship hearing centre, with improved courtroom utilisation and modernised and reformed digital case management and e-filing services, and digital working in court.

Key purpose of the role

Security's role is to maintain a safe working environment at the Royal Courts of Justice (RCJ), which is a part of the High Court, comprising over 100 courts, 79 located in the main Strand building and 31 in the Rolls Building which is located close to Strand.

The cases heard at the RCJ are some of the most high-profile ones in England and Wales, reflected in the occupiers including our most senior Judiciary. There is a high degree of liaison with resident and visiting Judiciary.

In addition, there are close to 1,000 members of staff. Hundreds of members of the public and the legal professions use our facilities every day.

Teams of security personnel provide a presence 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. A security presence is also required at the ceremonial and private functions held here in the evenings and weekends.

AO Deputy shift leaders attract a 20% allowance and are expected to work a 48 hour a week shift pattern on a rolling basis as below:

• Two days (7am to 7pm)

• Two nights (7pm to 7am)

• Four rest days.

• Repeat.

Security work can be physically demanding. The staff will receive the appropriate training to support them in this role, Court Security Officer (CSO) The Courts Act 2003.

The current high standard of customer service - for the whole of the RCJ and Rolls Building - must be maintained and improved upon if possible. All members of the Security team, as frontline staff, have a key role to play in this.

Key responsibilities may include

• Monitoring premises and visitors via CCTV and x-ray machines, together with other security checks such as "wanding" court uses/bag searches on arrival.

• Restraining someone attending court, ejecting someone from the court or excluding someone from the court.

• Controlling access doors and gates, checking of vehicles. Searching members of the public entering the court building. Checking pass holders passes.

• Patrol of buildings and satellite buildings, keeping in contact with the Control room with the use of handheld radios. Securing the building when it is closed to the public. Escorting contractors, Judiciary and VIP’S etc. Generally providing a secure environment.

• Dealing with enquiries from Staff, Judiciary and public within the complex.

• Federal Aviation standard trained in the use of X-Ray equipment and AMD’S.

• Responding to panic alarm buttons (PAB’S) in Judges rooms, Courts and Office’s.

• Responding to any security issues within the complex and recording and reporting details of those incidents

• Issuing security passes

• Assist with Court urgent out of hour’s business, escorting Judiciary, police and prisoners to/from room or Court.

Other duties

The post holder is required to work in a flexible way and undertake any other duties reasonably requested by line management which are commensurate with the grade and level of responsibility of this post.

Further Details

These operational roles are customer facing, requiring successful applicants to be office based to provide HMCTS services to the public. Successful candidates are expected to work full time on shift basis detailed above under key purpose of role. This role is not suitable for working remotely.

Annual Leave

Generous allowances for paid holiday starting at 251 hours per year, rising as your service increases. 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 privilege days. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.

Skilled Worker Visa

From 4 April 2024, the Government increased the salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas. The starting salary for this role falls below the general salary threshold for sponsorship.

The Department cannot consider sponsoring you for this role unless you have held a Skilled Worker visa continuously since before 4 April 2024, you qualify for relevant tradeable points, or you meet other criteria where a lower salary can be considered. Therefore, if you believe you meet the eligibility criteria (in whatever way possible) and you have received a provisional job offer, please raise this during your vetting checks.

If you are applying for this role and you do not meet the new eligibility criteria for sponsorship, you will need to consider your options for obtaining and/or maintaining your right to work in the UK in light of these changes. Successful applicants must ensure they have and maintain the legal right to live and work in the Civil Service and in the United Kingdom.

The Department will continue to comply with UK Immigration Rules applied in the UK and Civil Service. Please go to www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa for more information