INQUEST has a team of ten full-time and part time staff as well as a number of volunteers and interns who help us with our work.
Co-Directors
Deborah Coles and Helen Shaw
The Co-Directors are jointly responsible for leading INQUEST and ensuring its continued credibility as a high-profile service-delivery and campaigning organisation. They are responsible for individual staff management and supervision as well as organisational and team management and development. They devise INQUEST’s strategic policy on reform of the inquest system and issues arising from casework, in particular in relation to deaths in custody, and liaise with government – frequently at ministerial level – and other relevant organisations. The Co-Directors lead specific projects and undertake research to assist the organisation in achieving meaningful change in related policy and practice. They represent the organisation both orally and in writing at external events and in the media and work on individual cases ranging from inquests to hearings in the House of Lords.
Casework Team
The four caseworkers on the Casework Team’s primary role is to advise and support bereaved families on their rights in relation to the various investigations that occur after a death. Dependent on time and resources they will accompany families to meetings with lawyers and with investigators from the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) or the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) as well as attend inquest hearings. The Caseworkers collate information gathered from previous deaths and from their experience of policy and practice and are a source of knowledge which is available to families and their legal teams. Where appropriate they will refer or signpost families to other specialist advice agencies.
Research & Policy Officer
The Research and Policy Officer develops INQUEST’s policy work and carries out research on issues arising from casework to ensure the organisation’s concerns are fully considered by government, Parliament and other policy makers.
Fundraising and Development Manager
The Fundraising and Development Manager is responsible for co-ordinating and updating administrative, financial and governance systems. The role includes responsibility for developing and managing fundraising and devising strategies to secure the organisation’s financial and supporter base.
Administration Assistant
The post of Administration Assistant involves providing general office support to the rest of the team.
