Detective Sergeant : x1 Acting / Secondment role available, x1 Permanent role available.  

Child Abuse Investigation Unit

Milton Keynes

Full Time (All roles are available for flexible working including job sharing and part-time unless there are legitimate operational / business reasons why this cannot be accommodated)

x1 Acting / Secondment role -  Expected Start Date: 11th August 2025 (Please note that start dates will be subject to impact assessment with T&R) Expected End Date: 10th August 2026 (Please note that end dates are subject to change and, depending on the needs of the department, may be extended or reduced)

x1 Permanent role - Expected Start Date: Expected to be around September 2025 (Please note that start dates will be subject to impact assessment with T&R)

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Applications are invited from Substantive Detective Sergeants (as a permanent or secondment role), from Substantive Detective Constables (as an acting role) and Substantive Detective Constables who have passed step 3 of the promotion process (recruitment). This role is WBA compatible. 

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Role Profile: Detective Sergeant - CAIU

In this role, you will be responsible for safeguarding the welfare of children working with partner agencies by supervising the investigation of allegations of intra familial child abuse and position of trust offences and provide a support role to colleagues investigating serious sex offences with child victims.

Principle Responsibilities: 

• Allocate investigations into allegations of child abuse ensuring investigators utilise the full range of investigative techniques and technology available to safeguard the welfare of children and detect and reduce crime.
• Receive, assess and allocate requests for video interview of child victims of serious sexual offences from other investigative departments.
• Monitor and evaluate the quality of investigations. Conduct regular supervisory reviews in NICHE setting investigative actions, ensuring compliance with the victim and witness charter and that entry’s accurately reflect the investigation.
• Quality assure interviews of witnesses and suspects conducted in accordance with National guidelines and current policy.
• Ensure investigators Identify and disseminate information and intelligence as per information sharing agreements and the disclosure policy.
• Work with Social care and Partner Agencies to ensure the welfare of children. Attending strategy meetings and case conferences where appropriate or directed.
• Maintain and promote a thorough and up to date understanding of Child protection responsibilities in line with current ACPO, NPIA and Force guidance.
• Attendance at and the delivery of training to partner agencies under “working together.”

Essential Role Based Training:

• Completion of the Child Abuse investigation development programme (SCAIDP).
• Complete a joint investigation course (Memorandum of Good Practice).

Essential Training Prior to Appointment:

• National Investigators Exam (NIE)
• National Detective Training Programme – Investigators Development Programme (IDP) – PIP 2 Accreditation

Additional Information:

• VRI and ERO trained – desirable but not essential
• Experience of Child protection/Safeguarding – desirable but not essential
  

Psychological screening:

The successful applicant will be expected to undertake the established psychological screening process.

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For further information, please contact DI Tracey Benham and DI Amy Fox

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Application Method:

Click 'apply' at the bottom of the screen and complete the application form. Applications must include the following:

• Most recently completed PDR (2023/24)
  • If you have not yet completed a PDR year, please upload one of the following:
    • New Constables - Your current, open PDR (2024/25)
    • Constables due to complete their probation in the next 4 months - A Word Doc containing a brief statement explaining that you don't have a PDR, your Name, Shoulder, Current role, Base Station, LPA/LCU  and your Line Managers Name and Shoulder
    • Students who have completed Year 1 - A letter from your Development Assessment Officer (DAO) confirming who you are and your current status as an officer
    • Students who have completed Year 1 - Your Training Portfolio (Excel Spreadsheet containing 'FOC Overview and Reviews')

• Completed Line Managers Endorsement Form:
  • Please note that applications without a completed endorsement form will be graded, but not progressed until the endorsements have been received.
  • All applicants must complete the Line Manager Endorsement Form. The form requires a Chief Inspector or Superintendent’s signature, regardless of whether they are on the Shortlisting Panel. Please be aware that verbal endorsement will not be accepted.
    • If you are unable to obtain one or both endorsements in time for the closing date, please submit your partially complete form along with a statement in the relevant box stating that you have requested endorsement and are awaiting a response. Late endorsements should be emailed to poirecruitmentfc@thamesvalley.police.uk

Adjusted Duties Officers: For more information on the application process for ADOs please follow the link: People Directorate - Adjusted and Recuperative duties guidance.

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Important Guidance for Applicants:

All roles are available for flexible working including job sharing and part-time unless there are legitimate operational / business reasons why this cannot be accommodated.

If you are currently in a Force critical post, there is an expectation that you will remain in that post for a minimum of two years before applying to change roles (or 18 months for custody sergeants).

Candidates may be required to pass vetting and OHU or attend assessments and courses for this role. If any of these are failed the candidate will be posted back to a response role on an LPA. Postings are determined in accordance with organisational need although consideration will be given to personal circumstances.

For any queries, please e-mail Police Officer Internal Recruitment quoting reference 13171.

Suitably endorsed and eligible applications must be completed by Midday Wednesday 28th May 2025.