Overview
Business Crime Navigator – Change, Grow, Live (CGL) – Criminal Justice Team
Location: East Sussex (countywide). Hours: 37.5 per week. Contract: 12 Month Fixed Term Contract.
About the Role: We are looking for a compassionate, resilient and proactive Business Crime Navigator to support adults (18+) involved in repeat offending linked to local businesses. Many will face complex challenges, including homelessness, substance misuse, trauma, exploitation, or cycles of re‑offending.
You’ll deliver intensive outreach and 1:1 support, helping individuals stabilise their lives while making communities and local businesses safer. This role supports Sussex Police’s innovative Operation STOP pilot, which includes GPS Buddi tags for prolific shoplifters to reduce harm and improve rehabilitation.
What You’ll Do
* Provide trauma‑informed, strength‑based support to vulnerable adults involved in shoplifting, assault, ASB, or related offences.
* Carry out assertive outreach in hotspot areas across East Sussex.
* Work closely with Police, Probation, businesses (including Southern Co‑op), OPCC, and local councils.
* Support individuals with needs around substance use, housing, mental health, and safety.
* Encourage compliance with Criminal Behaviour Orders and, where relevant, GPS tag conditions.
* Build strong relationships with local businesses to improve reporting, information sharing, and community confidence.
* Record outcomes and contribute to evaluating this pioneering pilot project.
About You
* Able to build trust with people who may be chaotic, vulnerable, or reluctant to engage.
* Experience working with complex needs—substance misuse, homelessness, offending, mental health, or exploitation.
* Confident working independently in the community.
* Skilled at de‑escalation, safeguarding, and partnership working.
* Trauma‑informed and non‑judgemental in your approach.
* Full UK Drivers Licence and access to vehicle
Why This Role Matters
* Reduce repeat offending
* Improve safety for businesses and communities
* Support individuals to live healthier, safer, crime‑free lives
* Reduce pressure on public services
* Build a best‑practice model for national use
Responsibilities
Person Specification – Business Crime Navigator
Essential Criteria
Experience & Knowledge
* Experience supporting vulnerable adults with complex needs (e.g., substance misuse, homelessness, mental health, offending, trauma, exploitation).
* Understanding of the criminal justice system, including police, probation, courts, and safeguarding processes.
* Experience delivering outreach or working in community-based roles.
* Knowledge of trauma‑informed, strengths‑based approaches and harm‑reduction principles.
* Experience managing challenging behaviour and maintaining professional boundaries.
Skills & Abilities
* Ability to quickly build rapport with individuals who may be distrustful, chaotic, intoxicated, or reluctant to engage.
* Strong communication and de‑escalation skills, with the ability to defuse conflict safely and respectfully.
* Able to work independently across multiple locations, using initiative to prioritise workload and manage risk.
* Confident in partnership working with agencies such as police, probation, local authorities, and businesses.
* Ability to identify and respond to safeguarding risks, including exploitation, domestic abuse, or self‑neglect.
* Good record‑keeping, report writing and IT skills, including maintaining case notes and data for project evaluation.
Personal Qualities
* Non‑judgemental, empathetic, and resilient when working with people facing multiple disadvantages.
* Comfortable working in unpredictable environments, including street-based settings and hotspot areas.
* Motivational and encouraging, with the ability to help people make positive changes at their pace.
* Committed to equality, diversity, and inclusive practice.
Desirable Criteria
Experience & Knowledge
* Experience working with prolific shoplifters, business‑related offenders, or anti‑social behaviour.
* Familiarity with Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs), exclusion zones, or GPS tagging/monitoring technology.
* Knowledge of local support services across East Sussex (housing, treatment services, outreach teams, BCRPs).
* Experience supporting individuals impacted by domestic abuse, coercion, or other safeguarding concerns.
Skills & Attributes
* Ability to analyse patterns, hotspots, or intelligence to inform outreach.
* Experience working directly with local retailers, business partnerships, or community safety teams.
* Training in motivational interviewing, harm reduction, or trauma-informed practice (or willingness to train).
What we will give to you:
* 25 days holiday (+ bank holidays) rising by 1 day for each years’ service"Capped at 30days".
* Paid ‘Wellness’ hour each week along with a ‘Wellness’ hub and Employee Assist Programme
* Contributory pension scheme
* Protected CPD time
* A great selectionof benefits incl. discounts for shopping, cinema, holidays, etc.
* A friendly and supportive team
* Training, career development & progression opportunities
Please ensure that when completing your application form and supporting statement, you reflect on the details outlined in the job description. This will help us understand how your skills and experiences align with the requirements of the role.
This role is subject to an enhanced DBS check and police vetting. Employment is contingent upon successfully passing all required security clearances.
Please note: This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK at the time of application. For applicants with time-limited visas, unfortunately, we are unable to support new visa applications or extensions.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high number of applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
Salary Range (pro rata if part time)
CGL points 28 to 30 (£32,002.35 - £34,214.20)
ILW / OLW /Fringe
N/A - Outside London Weighting Area
Closing Date
20/3/2026
If you have any questions on this opportunity that you would like to talk through please contact us using the below details:
Sarah Knight | sarah.knight@cgl.org.uk
This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at an enhanced level.
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