Private Investigator jobs in Middlewich

What we Offer:

• 27.5 days paid annual leave (increasing with service to 32.5 days)
• The option to buy, sell, or carry over annual leave is reviewed each year and offered when possible.
• Voluntary Health Cash Plan provided by BHSF
• Civil Service pension
• Civil Service maternity leave package
• PAM employee assistance programme
• Access to Civil Service Sports Council (CSSC) membership
• Cycle to work scheme
• Opportunity to enjoy the latest home and electronics in a more affordable way provided by Vivup
• Car Leasing Scheme
• Staff Networks focussed on each of the protected characteristics - run for staff, by staff: Enable Network, Age Network, Welsh Network, Pride and LGBTQ+ Network, Sex and Family Network, Race, Religion and Belief Network
• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity

Additional Information:

Any move to the Independent Office for Police Conduct from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may, however, be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Emotional Consideration:

In performing this role, you will have regular exposure to distressing material which will likely be impactful, traumatic and challenging. Given the nature of the work, it is also possible that you will have contact with individuals who are experiencing extreme distress. The IOPC recognises this and offers all staff a range of wellbeing provisions, including TRiM (Trauma Risk Management), peer-to-peer support, a dedicated Wellbeing Advisor, and access to free confidential counselling. All staff are strongly encouraged to proactively access and engage with the support available. If you would like to speak about this element of the role with somebody already doing similar work at the IOPC please contact recruitment@policeconduct.gov.uk and this can be arranged.

Rydym yn croesawu ymgeiswyr i ymgeisio am rolau trwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg fel eu dewis iaith.

External Candidates - Previous ITL Campaign

External candidates who applied for the ITL Core and P&R roles during the September/October 2026 recruitment campaign and were unsuccessful at either the sift or interview stage will not be eligible to apply for this vacancy.

Job Introduction:

As an Investigations Team Leader – Core Business you will be a part of a dynamic and inclusive Investigations team working to deliver and set direction of investigations.

Alongside the Investigations Team Leader – Performance and Resourcing, you will be responsible for ensuring delivery of high quality, robust and independent investigations and demonstrating our values in all aspects of your role.

You will oversee Lead Investigators, whilst also ensuring their personal and professional development, in order to achieve investigation excellence and meet quality standards. You will play a key role in quality assurance and will have responsibility for ensuring the quality of investigations and investigation products.

You will play a critical role in ensuring timely resolutions of investigations and maintaining investigative integrity.

We'll assess you against these Senior Executive Officer (SEO) Level behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Managing a Quality Service

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, to find out more, please click here.

Throughout the recruitment process we will also assess your Experience, and Values.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete 4 Sift Questions based on the essential criteria.

Anticipated assessment and interview dates are estimated to take place mid November.

#IND

General:

• Ensure consistent and high-quality investigations delivery against minimum standard and performance targets and in line with policy.
• Contribute as a member of the wider Investigations team to the management and development of the Investigations function.

Transformation:

• Actively participate in the IOPC Transformation programme to ensure that we do what only the IOPC can do and deliver effective, timely and high-quality investigations.
• Identify ways to improve the way in which investigations are completed and delivered.

Delivery:

• Provide structured supervision and DRIVE meetings to ensure Lead Investigators are confident, competent and engaged.
• Conduct case supervision and regular reviews of investigations to ensure they are progressing to a high quality and in line with the case supervision procedure.

Decision Making:

• Advise or act as the decision maker in delegated cases in accordance with the decision-making framework.

Cultural Competence, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion:

• Promote inclusive practice across the investigations team.
• Ensure fair case management and that investigations are conducted without prejudice or discrimination.

Please refer to the Job Description for full role responsibilities.

The Ideal Candidate:

Essential Experience

• Fully Accredited Investigator (Units 1 - 4) or investigative experience of an equivalent nature.
• Understanding of the police complaints system and the statutory framework within which the IOPC operates
• Understanding of the relevance of Human Rights Act 1998; IOPC obligations under the Equality Act 2010, including the Public Sector Equality Duty, and other relevant legislation to the work of the IOPC
• Involvement in promoting a culture which values diversity of experience and background and embeds effective team behaviours. Experience of prioritising and managing tasks and resources effectively to deliver quality outcomes within challenging timescales.
• Experience of carrying out effective case supervision, quality assurance and performance improvement processes.
• Experience of supporting staff, who are working in an environment with significant scrutiny, challenge and potentially emotive material, and building resilience and adaptability.
• Driving license valid in England and Wales.

Desirable:

• Experience of working in a matrix management structure.

An experienced team leader with a track record of building high performing operational teams in a complex environment.

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to adapt and adjust delivery based on unexpected developments or challenges in investigations.
• Ability to identify process improvements and training needs to enhance investigative outcomes.
• Ability to convey information effectively and negotiate and influence others.

• Evidence of excellent analytical and report writing skills; ability to reach and document clear, rational, evidence-based and independent decisions based on analysis of existing and emerging information.
• Highly developed oral, written and presentation skills.
• The ability to make informed decisions under pressure.
• Resource management abilities including understanding how to allocate resource efficiently.
• Skilled in delivering structured feedback, coaching and mentoring.

Desirable:

• An understanding of Policing in the UK.

We believe that diverse perspectives contribute to a more innovative and dynamic workplace. We actively encourage applications from individuals who are typically under-represented or disadvantaged in society. This includes women, people from ethnically diverse backgrounds, parents and carers, and disabled candidates, including neurodiverse candidates.

We are committed to providing equal opportunities for all applicants and creating an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives are valued and supported.

The role requires standard DBS clearance

National security vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Reasonable Adjustments:

The IOPC is a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we want to help you demonstrate your full potential whatever type of assessment is used.

Please refer to our Reasonable Adjustment guidance document linked to this job advert on how to access Reasonable Adjustments with us.

Be yourself:

The IOPC is committed to promoting equality and valuing diversity in everything we do. Our vision is to be, and to be seen as, a leader in inclusive employment and services, demonstrating this ethos in everything that we do.

• Being a Disability Confident employer, the IOPC is dedicating to removing the barriers for disabled people to thrive in the workplace. Please refer to our Reasonable Adjustment guidance document linked to this job advert on how to access Reasonable Adjustments with us.
• Our Staff Networks are constantly working to make the IOPC the leaders of inclusive employment, from our Allyship Programme to Welsh Language Standards and our Know the Line Policy, we are constantly seeking new ways to create an environment for all to develop and thrive.

Positive action as detailed in the Equality Act 2010, allows us to use measures designed to help improve equality in the workplace, and create a level playing field for all, whilst still employing everyone based on merit. Our workforce profile data shows that people who identify as black, Asian and minority ethnic are under-represented at the IOPC.

For this role – should we have a situation where multiple candidates have achieved the highest score and one identifies as black, Asian or minority ethnic, by using positive action, we can select that candidate for the role, therefore improving this area of under-representation at the IOPC. We will only use positive action in this way where the highest scoring candidates have all scored equally, at the final assessment stage, and above our required threshold.

Working Conditions

The IOPC operates a hybrid working policy which requires all staff to work an average of 40% of their contractual hours at their office base (or another office for business reasons). Office attendance time includes in-person training, meetings with stakeholders and families, and attending events.