Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Legal Services Team at Norfolk & Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. The role is for 37.5 hours per week and is predominantly based at the County Hall in Norwich, although there is cross site working and a need to attend court as required. The legal services team is a proactive, professional, dynamic, and energetic team with a solutions focused ethos to provide the highest standard of service based upon our Trust values. The varied and often time sensitive nature of the work undertaken by the team is often challenging and pressured as well as immensely rewarding when having the privilege of working with inspiring and dedicated clinicians who go above and beyond to improve the lives of those under their care.
You will report directly to the Associate Director of Legal Services. You will be responsible for managing a caseload of claims and inquests in accordance with national and local policies and procedures. You will liaise with individuals at all levels, including senior staff, solicitors, NHS Resolution, HM Coroner, the police and members of the public.
You will be able to work in a high pressure environment and will have excellent communication skills. You will also have the capacity to deal with highly sensitive situations and the ability to work effectively and professionally with colleagues across the Trust and with external agencies.
Main duties of the job
To act as a role model and provide positive, professional accountable leadership to the legal team.
The role will encompass a case manager (defending the Trust against claims, representing at inquests, protecting the reputation of both the Trust and individual clinicians), legal advisor (to the Board and clinicians on all matters legal), trainer and educator (raising awareness of the legal process and responsibilities to all staff) and contributing to the Legal Services' Department strategic role in identifying trends and learning from claims and inquests, to support the quality improvements and drive improvements in patient safety.
Provides general advice across a range of areas including contract, litigation, property, clinical negligence and personal injury and acts as the gate-keeper for more specialist advice that is sought from external law firms. This includes being an authorised signatory of the legal services budget.
About us
Here at NSFT we pride ourselves on being a welcoming, talented, friendly and supportive team who like nothing better than sharing experiences and learning from each other. In addition to ongoing training and development opportunities, we are committed to providing an environment in which you can thrive.
Why work for us? We have challenges as a Trust, but we have ambitious aspirations, are pushing ahead with exciting transformation work and we need dedicated individuals to support us on our journey. We have strong, established professional networks coupled with an exceptional leadership team who will ensure you are truly cared for and cared about.
Why Norfolk and Suffolk? The people here are warm and welcoming, you'll never be far from the beautiful coastline or Broads National Park. We're an hour and a half away from London and have an international airport in Norwich too. Our villages, towns and cities are packed full of history, independent cafes, shops and theatres. We have excellent shopping, eating out, top ranking schooling and affordable house prices too.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To assist (and deputise for) the Associate Director of Legal Services in all aspects of the Legal Services Departments work and to provide advice on all legal aspects of the Trusts work to meet the Trusts legal and statutory obligations.
To include advising on a wide range of health law issues, supporting and advising clinicians who are involved in legal matters and preparing them for court hearings.
To act as a role model and provide positive, professional accountable leadership to the legal team.
To establish effective professional, multidisciplinary relationships both within the Trust and with external stakeholders, such as NHS Resolution, panel and Claimant firms of solicitors, Coroners and their Officers.
To ensure regular contact and visible presence with clinical and managerial staff across the Trusts sites.
The role will encompass a case manager (defending the Trust against claims, representing at inquests, protecting the reputation of both the Trust and individual clinicians), legal advisor (to the Board and clinicians on all matters legal), trainer and educator (raising awareness of the legal process and responsibilities to all staff) and contributing to the Legal Services Department strategic role in identifying trends and learning from claims and inquests, to support the quality improvements and drive improvements in patient safety.
Provides general advice across a range of areas including contract, litigation, property, clinical negligence and personal injury and acts as the gate-keeper for more specialist advice that is sought from external law firms. This includes being an authorised signatory of the legal services budget.
Represents the Trust at Inquests, other hearings and professionals meetings where legal input is required.
Assists on development of law-related policy in collaboration with the MHA Law Team.
Responsible for ensuring comprehensive systems for managing legal matters, claims, and legal enquiries into the Legal Services office are effectively maintained.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To assist (and deputise for) the Associate Director of Legal Services in all aspects of the Legal Services Departments work and to provide advice on all legal aspects of the Trusts work to meet the Trusts legal and statutory obligations.
To include advising on a wide range of health law issues, supporting and advising clinicians who are involved in legal matters and preparing them for court hearings.
To act as a role model and provide positive, professional accountable leadership to the legal team.
To establish effective professional, multidisciplinary relationships both within the Trust and with external stakeholders, such as NHS Resolution, panel and Claimant firms of solicitors, Coroners and their Officers.
To ensure regular contact and visible presence with clinical and managerial staff across the Trusts sites.
The role will encompass a case manager (defending the Trust against claims, representing at inquests, protecting the reputation of both the Trust and individual clinicians), legal advisor (to the Board and clinicians on all matters legal), trainer and educator (raising awareness of the legal process and responsibilities to all staff) and contributing to the Legal Services Department strategic role in identifying trends and learning from claims and inquests, to support the quality improvements and drive improvements in patient safety.
Provides general advice across a range of areas including contract, litigation, property, clinical negligence and personal injury and acts as the gate-keeper for more specialist advice that is sought from external law firms. This includes being an authorised signatory of the legal services budget.
Represents the Trust at Inquests, other hearings and professionals meetings where legal input is required.
Assists on development of law-related policy in collaboration with the MHA Law Team.
Responsible for ensuring comprehensive systems for managing legal matters, claims, and legal enquiries into the Legal Services office are effectively maintained.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Qualified solicitor with at least 3 years PQE (or legal qualification higher than solicitor)
Desirable
- Sector specific postSpecialist knowledge in field of mental health. Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act.-graduate legal qualifications
Experience
Essential
- Experience of advising on a broad range of legal issues.
Desirable
- NHS inhouse legal advice experience.
Knowledge
Essential
- Sound knowledge of English law relevant to the NHS and community care.
Desirable
- Specialist knowledge in field of mental health. Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Qualified solicitor with at least 3 years PQE (or legal qualification higher than solicitor)
Desirable
- Sector specific postSpecialist knowledge in field of mental health. Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act.-graduate legal qualifications
Experience
Essential
- Experience of advising on a broad range of legal issues.
Desirable
- NHS inhouse legal advice experience.
Knowledge
Essential
- Sound knowledge of English law relevant to the NHS and community care.
Desirable
- Specialist knowledge in field of mental health. Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
