Job Overview
Assistant for Inquests to work 2 or 3 days per week as part of a proposed job-share arrangement. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of the Legal Services Team at the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. The Legal Services team falls within Corporate Services and works closely with colleagues across the Trust to resolve legal issues and to contribute to the governance structure. The role will be worked on a job share basis and will involve obtaining reports and statements for coroners inquest investigations, providing information and support for witnesses in the lead up to and at the inquest hearing. Subject to agreement, the successful candidate will job-share the full role, with shared responsibility for service delivery and clear handover arrangements. We are committed to flexible working and will review the job-share arrangement to ensure it meets both service needs and the needs of post-holders.
Key Responsibilities
* Coordinate and manage inquest processes from notification through to conclusion
* Act as a key point of contact for witnesses, providing practical and procedural support before and during inquest hearings
* Prepare witnesses for the inquest process, including explaining procedures, timetables, and what to expect on the day
* Attend and support inquest hearings as required
* Liaise with coroners courts, legal representatives, clinicians, and internal teams
* Prepare and manage documentation, case files, and hearing logistics
* Work closely with the job-share partner to ensure continuity, consistency, and effective handovers
Recruitment and Selection
Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values. An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page. If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the ‘essential’ criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer ‘YES’ to the question: ‘Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?’ Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes. The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.
Additional Information - DBS and Sponsorship
If a DBS is required for your role, you are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee applies which is payable to the DBS Service. Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs will be deducted from their salary over the first three months of employment. New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above. Applicants requiring sponsorship may wish to determine the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship for this position by assessing themselves against the criteria on the gov.uk website - https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa. The Trust will not sponsor where the starting salary does not meet immigration rules Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date. Good luck with your application.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check: If the role is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Enhanced DBS check applications that are submitted with omitted or incorrect information will be withdrawn. In the event errors are identified on your original application, a new application will need to be submitted and you will be required to pay the DBS application fee again. The cost of the DBS application will be deducted from your salary over the first three months of employment.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. Applicants requiring sponsorship may wish to determine the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship for this position by assessing themselves against the criteria on the gov.uk website - Check if you need a UK visa - GOV.UK For details regarding salary requirements of a skilled worker, please refer to the Skilled Worker Visa Immigration Salary List. The Trust will not sponsor where the starting salary does not meet these immigration rules For further details on skilled worker sponsorship, please consult the UK Home Office guidance: Skilled Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UK. Additionally, the New guidance for overseas applicants | NHS Employers provides helpful information on the recruitment process for candidates applying for roles in the UK. Overseas candidates are responsible for their travel expenses. From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependents (over 18 years old) will also be subject to this requirement.
About the Trust
Tarporley War Memorial Hospital: a base for community services which serve the local rural population. The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust employs 5,964 staff (headcount) to provide care and treatment to a population of over 400,000 people living in Chester and West Cheshire which includes Ellesmere Port and Neston as well as the Deeside area of Flintshire. The Trust works collaboratively within the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care System. Due to its location on the border with North Wales, the Trust also works closely with the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. The Trust treats patients from England and some parts of Wales. During 2024/2025, there were approximately 643,000 patient attendances (inpatient, A&E, outpatient and diagnostic) ranging from a simple outpatient appointment to major cancer surgery.
Band 5 Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, staff pride themselves on not only leading through clinical excellence, but also by creating an environment where all staff are valued and appreciated. To achieve this, the Trust has embarked on an exciting new strategy focused on continuous improvement. Our vision is to improve the lives of our community and provide excellence in healthcare, through partnership and innovation. Our High Performance Culture will support everyone to be the best version of themselves by being true to our Trust vision, values and behaviours. We welcome applications from colleagues from our local and neighbouring communities of all backgrounds and identities, who are currently under-represented within our region such as Black, Asian, Minority ethnic and those with disabilities. As a region we are reviewing the way we work, and exploring how new working practices that support flexible working can create a positive work-life balance. As part of our recruitment process we will explore how our inclusive employment policies, flexible working, staff engagement forums, Trust facilities and services can be of mutual benefit.
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