Job Description

We are recruiting further

Case Support Workers

to be part of the newly established Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) and to join the initial Case Support Team.

A key difference in the Commission's approach is that a request must be made before the Commission can carry out its investigations. These requests can include specific questions that the requesting individual and family wish to see addressed during the investigative work. We will seek answers to these questions by examining all existing material, including that which might not have been disclosed or made public during any previous fact-finding as well as following new lines of enquiry and seeking further evidence.

Each requesting individual or family will be offered a single person in the Case Support Team, who will be their primary point of contact throughout their engagement with the Commission. You and the other Case Support Workers will therefore be pivotal to individuals and families' experience of the Commission. You will help them understand what the Commission can do, support them to make informed decisions and always show respect and understanding as they move through their engagement with the Commission.

This is a role that can impact every individual and family who engages with the Commission and will see you actively involved across the work of the Commission. You will need to innovate in leading our trauma and resiliency informed, safeguarding approach and you will play a key role in embedding that practice right across the Commission. You will be empowered to challenge other areas of the Commission to properly consider the perspective of the requesting individual and family, and you will need to recognise when to bring in experts to talk to people directly.

Reporting to the Case Support Team Leader, your team sits within the Investigations Directorate, which will be multi-disciplinary with a mix of backgrounds and skills. You will play a crucial part in setting a new and unique culture reflecting the Commission's mission and values. You will work with the Information Recovery Teams to ensure there is a full understanding about how the Commission operates, what happens at each step and how people will be involved and updated at points in the investigation. You will build trust and get to know the requesting individuals and families as people, not cases. You will support in developing the request and preparing it for the next stage and will remain involved to help the Information Recovery team stay focused on what matters to the requesting individuals and families.

Key Responsibilities

As a Case Support Worker (CSW), you will be the primary point of contact for a number of requesting families and individuals. You will provide an important conduit between them and the rest of the Commission, including primarily the Commission's Information Recovery and Findings and Reports teams. You will help ensure the Commission treats victims and survivors as people and understands their needs properly. Support individuals and families, helping them reach informed decisions about whether and how to submit a request for information recovery, and the next steps that will likely follow (including possible investigative routes and the range of possible outcomes, as well as what is unlikely to be possible). Work collaboratively across other parts of the Commission including: Information Recovery teams, to maintain an up to date understanding of the progress of each investigation and chase progress updates for families where required; and Findings and Reports Unit teams similarly when cases reach that stage. The Commission's clinical team to ensure the safeguarding needs of requesting families and individuals are met and ensure appropriate signposting to the Commission's emotional support offer. Work collaboratively with the Commission's clinical adviser to ensure the safeguarding and support needs of requesting families and individuals are met. This includes: Working with the requesting individual or family to find ways to reduce the risk of re-traumatisation and to identify wellbeing or emotional support needs during their journey with the Commission. Ensuring appropriate signposting to and uptake of the Commission's emotional support offer, if requesting individuals or families want that. Ensure that the Commission's Safeguarding Policy and Procedure are implemented and that individuals/families and members of the public in contact with the Commission are safeguarded appropriately, including making referrals to external organisations when necessary. Assist with the operationalisation of the Safeguarding Policy, implementing appropriate systems and processes, training and equipping Commission staff as required. Respond to incoming correspondence, identify the needs of those who make contact and offer a face-to-face meeting to discuss their enquiry.
We are happy to discuss the role and answer any questions you may have. Please feel free to contact us for an informal conversation about the role and our organisation.

We welcome the unique contribution diverse applicants bring and do not discriminate based on culture, ethnicity, race, nationality or national origin, age, sex, gender identity or expression, religion or belief, disability status, sexual orientation, educational or social background or any other factor.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Demonstrate the values set out in the ICRIR Code of Conduct Willingness to be assessed against the requirements for SC clearance, if not already cleared. Minimum of three years post qualifying experience in a relevant area of practice. Current registration with a professional body. Expertise and recent experience of working directly with people in emotional distress and working within a trauma-informed practice framework. Significant experience of assessing safeguarding risks and taking appropriate action, including making referrals to external agencies and working within organisational safeguarding frameworks. Experience of engaging a wide range of stakeholders to gather, synthesize and evaluate information and make reasoned judgements. Personal empathy, excellent listening skills and a proven ability to build rapport with a range of stakeholders.

Desirable Criteria

Knowledge of, or experience of investigations in, Northern Ireland. Educated to Degree level with a relevant professional qualification (social work, education, policing, youth work). Previous experience working in a legal, regulatory, or investigative role. Experience of consulting with groups/individuals who are experts through lived experience.
Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last

two years. Please also provide a statement of suitability (max 1000 words) setting out your key skills and experience against the essential criteria listed in the person specification by no later than 5pm, Wednesday 13th August 2025 to recruitment@icrir.independent-inquiry.uk. Where appropriate, please indicate your location preference for the role - either Belfast or London.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 37,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Company pension Work from home
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 13/08/2025