Caseworker - Death Management Policy and Casework TeamMinistry of Justice

23282

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Caseworker

Death Management Policy and Casework Team

EO

Civil, Family, Tribunals and Administration of Justice Directorate

The Civil, Family, Tribunals and Administration of Justice Directorate is recruiting permanently for An EO Caseworker.   This campaign is open to current civil servants on level transfer and suitable candidates on promotion.

Candidates are reminded that to be eligible for this campaign; you must still be employed as a civil servant at the point of accepting the role.  If you resign or your FTA contract ends before you are made and accept an offer, you will become ineligible and you will be withdrawn from the process.

Location:

Successful candidates will have the option to be based at one of the following locations:

102 Petty France, London

5 Wellington Place, Leeds

Occasional travel between the two locations may be required.  We offer a hybrid working model, allowing for a balance between remote work and time spent in your base location (102 Petty France or 5 Wellington Place Leeds).

Ways of Working

At the MoJ we believe and promote alternative ways of working, these roles are available as:

Full-time, part-time or the option to job share

Flexible working patterns

We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce and pride ourselves as being an employer of choice. To find out more about how we champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity

Salary

Existing Civil Servants will have their salary calculated in accordance with the Department’s pay on transfer / pay on promotion rules.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ)

MoJ is the largest government department, employing over 90,000 people with a budget of approximately £10 billion. Each year, millions of people use our services across the UK - including at 500 courts and tribunals, and 133 prisons in England and Wales.

Further information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice

The Work of the Death Management Policy and Casework Unit

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Death Management Policy and Casework Team, working in a fascinating, sensitive and often high-profile area of the Ministry of Justice.

The team is responsible for delivering important statutory functions on behalf of the Secretary of State and provides an essential public service to bereaved families, local authorities, burial and cremation authorities and other stakeholders. The work is varied, challenging and often fast-paced, requiring excellent judgement, strong communication skills and the ability to manage sensitive cases with professionalism and empathy.

Caseworker - the role

As a Caseworker, you will manage a diverse portfolio of complex applications and enquiries, including claims to the Children’s Funeral Fund for England (CFF), exhumation applications (including in the context of archaeological projects), churchyard closures and the development of disused burial grounds. You will assess evidence, analyse often complex or conflicting information, and make clear decisions in line with legislation, policy and guidance.

The role offers a unique opportunity to develop expertise in a highly specialised area of public administration, while gaining valuable experience in decision-making, stakeholder engagement and the handling of sensitive and sometimes high-profile cases.

Working as part of a supportive and collaborative team, you will play a key role in ensuring that casework is handled fairly, consistently and efficiently, delivering high standards of customer service to the public and stakeholders alike.

This role would suit someone who enjoys casework, has strong analytical and customer service skills, and is motivated by the opportunity to make a meaningful difference through the delivery of an important public service.

Key Tasks

As a Caseworker, you will manage a varied caseload of sensitive and complex applications and enquiries, which will include:

Deciding and authorising CFF claims

Assessing and determining exhumation applications on behalf of the Secretary of State.

Considering applications relating to the development of disused burial grounds and churchyard closures, liaising with local authorities, the Privy Council and other stakeholders.

Processing applications for the appointment of crematorium medical referees.

Communicating with applicants, bereaved families, local authorities, coroners, burial and cremation authorities and other stakeholders.

Drafting correspondence and briefing material for senior officials and Ministers.

Drafting responses to Freedom of Information requests within the statutory timeline.

Maintaining accurate records and support reporting, quality assurance and continuous improvement activities.

Skills and Experience

Essential Skills

Make sound decisions based on thorough analysis of evidence and established policy.

Handle sensitive issues with tact, empathy and professionalism and in line with relevant policy, legislation and guidance

Communicate clearly and confidently, both verbally and in writing.

Manage competing priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.

Build positive working relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders.

Work independently while contributing to a supportive team culture.

Demonstrate excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.

Desirable skills/expertise

Awareness of the Government’s priorities

Additional Information

If we receive applications from more suitable candidates than we have vacancies for at this time, we may hold suitable applicants on a reserve list for 12 months, and future vacancies requiring the same skills and experience could be offered to candidates on the reserve list without a new competition.

Candidates applying from HMPPS should note that the Ministry of Justice does not have the same conditions of employment as HMPPS. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of the terms and conditions they will adopt should they be successful.

The MoJ is proud to be Level 3 Disability Confident. Disability Confident is the approach through which we offer guaranteed interviews for all people with disabilities meeting the minimum criteria for the advertised role as set out in the job description.

Application process

You will be assessed against the Civil service success profiles framework.

You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application, including your CV, statement of suitability and behaviour examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Please note that plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.

Experience

You will be asked to provide a Work History during the application process to assess any demonstrable experience, career history and achievements that are relevant to the role.

Behaviours

During the application process you will be asked to provide an example of how you have met the following behaviours:

Making Effective Decisions (Lead)

Managing a Quality Service

Delivering at Pace

Communicating and Influencing

Please also refer to the CS Behaviours framework for more details at this grade:

Success Profiles: Civil Service behaviours - GOV.UK

Should we receive a large number of applications, we will sift primarily on the lead behaviour of Making Effective Decisions. Successful applicants will then be invited to an interview, testing both behaviours and strengths.

Candidates invited to Interview

Please note that interviews will be carried out remotely.

At interview you will be assessed against behaviours where you will be asked to provide examples of how you have demonstrated them. In addition, you will also be asked strength-based questions.

Behaviours:

The following Behaviours will be tested at interview:

Making Effective Decisions

Managing a Quality Service

Delivering at Pace

Communicating and Influencing

It may help to use one or more examples of a piece of work you have completed or a situation you have been in and use the WHO or STAR model to explain:

WHO - What it was? How you approached the work/situation? What the Outcomes were, what did you achieve?Or

STAR - What was the Situation? What were the Tasks? What Action did you take?  What were the Results of your actions?

Please also refer to the CS Behaviours framework for more details at this grade:

Success Profiles: Civil Service behaviours - GOV.UK

Strengths:

It is difficult to prepare for strength type questions. However, you can think through your answers, focus on your achievements and aspects you enjoy and decide how these can be applied in the organisation and role. While strengths questions are shorter and we do not expect a full STAR response, the panel is interested in your first reaction to the question and information or reasoning to support this. Further information on Civil Service Strengths can be found via this link Success Profiles: Strengths - GOV.UK

Interview Timeline:

Interviews are expected to take place in late November/Earley December 2026.

Contact information

If you would like to know more about this role, please contact [email protected]