From apprentice to leading a team of paralegals

Holly

'I've found the Crown Prosecution Service to be a really nurturing place to work, and progression is encouraged and supported.'

What did you do before starting here?

Before working for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), I studied criminology at university - finishing just as we entered the COVID-19 pandemic. I felt a bit lost with what I wanted to do going forward and where I wanted to take my career. I had an interest in the criminal justice system and wanted to make a difference - but knew I didn’t want a career in law.

Since turning 16 I've always done customer-facing work such as supermarket assistant roles - it's something I'm good at and enjoy doing. My cousin started working for the Civil Service as an apprentice, and suggested I take a look on their jobs site to see if there was anything local to me. I saw the CPS offered apprenticeships, and their values inspired me to apply. I got the apprenticeship, and started working in my new role whilst gaining a qualification alongside it.

Can you tell me about your career journey so far?

My first role was working in the victim liaison unit - it's a dynamic place to work with a customer facing element to it. I found the job very rewarding and learnt a lot during my time there. I then applied for a business support manager role, and although I was successful at interview, someone else just beat me to it on merit. However, I was added to a reserve list and if any other jobs came up at the same grade, the recruitment team would let me know. Shortly after, my manager in the victim liaison unit left so her job became available, and I was offered the position and promoted at the end of 2021. I always say this felt like fate because I got to manage the unit I was already working on and was so passionate about!

In preparation for my new role, I had a detailed handover with my manager to make sure I was prepared to take on management of the unit. I shadowed her most days and observed meetings, so I knew what to expect when I took over responsibility of attending and giving updates about my work. I had training and induction plans to track my progress and highlight any issues that I needed to go over again. I was also supported throughout to continue my apprenticeship, ensuring I had allocated time to work on my assignments and complete my final assessment with a distinction.

I also completed a manager development programme. This was very useful as a new line manager - it covered essential skills and topics that I still refer to today, one of them titled 'Buddy to boss'. More experienced line managers were always on hand to support and advise me on any issues that arose whilst I learnt the ropes of line management.

After completing this role for just over a year I felt ready for my next challenge, so when the opportunity came up to apply for paralegal business manager in the magistrates' court, I applied. I was successful at interview and started in 2023. Starting this new role involved learning new areas of work, but I received continued support from my new line manager while learning the magistrates' court processes and procedures. I've settled into this role and I'm really happy with the progress I've made. I'm finding every day is different. I make sure paralegals and prosecutors are prepared for taking our cases to trial - managing workloads whilst prioritising my team's wellbeing and business needs. I'm soon moving to work in the rape and serious sexual offences team - another opportunity to develop myself further.

What do you like about working here?

I'm really enjoying doing a job that is so rewarding and public facing. We do important work every day, making a difference and contributing to a better service for victims and witnesses. I'm working with great teams of people who all share the same goal - we pull together to tackle issues and look for ways to continuously improve. I have always enjoyed helping people and feel lucky to do that every day in a field of work that I have great interest in, working with the courts and police to achieve the right outcomes.

I've found the CPS to be a nurturing place to work, and progression is encouraged and supported. I'm hoping to continue with my progression in the CPS by learning more skills.

Do you have any advice or top tips you can share?

I advise anyone who is enthusiastic and keen to make a difference to join the CPS. You get lots of opportunities to develop your career and enhance your skill set.

I love working here and I would've never thought I could be a paralegal business manager so early on in my career at the CPS - the support and encouragement I've received from managers and colleagues has been invaluable.

My top tips would be sign up for training you're offered, grab any opportunities to develop with both hands, and ask lots of questions!