Cross Agency Job Shadowing Scheme for people working in CJS in Essex
New opportunities to learn about the work of colleagues in different agencies within the criminal justice system are available from this month (June 2008).
Essex Criminal Justice Board’s Staff and Community Engagement Action Team has developed a Job Shadowing project following feedback from delegates attending recent staff seminars and workshops.
A detailed process and protocols have been developed in support of the project for an initial trial.
Endorsing the scheme, Mary Archer, chair of the Criminal Justice Board, and chief officer with the Probation Service in Essex, said:
“In Essex our criminal justice system is working closer than ever before for the benefit of local communities; so it seems only natural to give staff the chance to experience how things work within the different agencies with which they work.
“Job shadowing will provide staff with a unique opportunity to gain first hand experience of the procedures and processes involved in other agencies, which in turn will lead to a greater understanding of the wider criminal justice system.”
Also giving ringing support for the scheme Mike Lttlewood, Area Director for HMCS in Essex, said:
“HMCS are very much in favour of this job shadowing scheme. We feel there are many people who would benefit from gaining a greater understanding and tolerance of how other agencies work.”
To find out more about how to step into a colleague’s shoes for the day, individuals should, in the first instance, speak to their own line manager.
It is important to stress that Job Shadowing is seen as part of a person’s personal and professional development, by providing opportunities to learn about other roles relevant to their own area of work.
Those taking part in job shadowing, either as a shadower or host, will be required to provide feedback on their experience. This feedback will be used to help evaluate the success of the project after the first six months trial period.
The contacts for the respective CJS agencies in Essex taking part in the job shadowing scheme are:
Police (Criminal Justice Department) – Steve Powell
E-mail: steve.powell@essex.pnn.police.uk
Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) – Christine James
E-mail: christine.james@cps.gsi.gov.uk
Her Majesty’s Courts Service (HMCS) – Jeannine North
E-mail: jeannine.north@hmcourts-service.gsi.gov.uk
HM Prison Chelmsford – Chris Sharp
E-mail: chris.sharp01@hmps.gsi.gov.uk
Probation Service – Sam Mott
E-mail: sam.mott@essex.probation.gsi.gov.uk
Victim Support/Witness Service – Fran Kramer
E-mail: fran.kramer@victimsupport.org.uk
Post-shadowing evaluation forms should also be copied to:
Caroline Launder, CJB Business & Performance Manager
E-mail: caroline.launder@essex.probation.gsi.gov.uk