Quality Assurance and Training Lead - Psychology
Quality Assurance & Training Lead for Psychology
SOMEK AND ASSOCIATES (medico-legal consultancy)
Somek and Associates Limited (S&A) is part of the Frenkel Topping Group.
Our main function is toprovide expert witnesses and professional reports for medico-legal purposes.
Our mission is:
* To ensure courts have the best expert evidence with which to deal with cases justly.
* To ensure lawyers litigating cases (and other case workers instructing us) havesupreme confidence in their decisions based on our quality expert input.
* To ensure our expert input is seen as value for money.
POSITION
Location: Remote working and occasional work in the S&A offices in Chesham, Buckinghamshire
Accountable to: Head of Medico‑Legal Operations
Close Liaison: Quality Assurance and Development Lead (Quantum).
ROLE OVERVIEW
The role overview in this document is intended as a guide to describe the mainduties.
We are seeking a visionary Psychology Expert Witness Service Lead to establish, develop and oversee a new psychology expert witness service. The role combines strategic leadership, clinical and expert witness insight and service innovation to ensure the delivery of a high quality expert witness service.
The Quality Assurance & Training Lead for Psychology will have a clinical background and have significant experience working as an expert witness in clinical negligence / personal injury cases.
The Psychology Lead will be required to provide quality assurance / mentoring and training to less experienced associates for all aspects of the expert witness role, and in particular to ensure the standard of reports being submitted is appropriate.
The postholder will be responsible for the professional leadership and management of psychology expert witnesses with the following professional /skill mix:
Clinical Psychologists
Counselling Psychologists
Educational Psychologists
Forensic Psychologists
Primary Role:
* Design and implement the psychology expert witness service, embedding it within Somek and Associates’ current operational workflows.
* Lead the recruitment and onboarding of psychology experts across specialisms (clinical, neuropsychology, educational and forensic).
* Develop service standards, report templates, and quality assurance protocols and evaluations, aligned with Somek & Associates’ policies, legal and clinical best practice.
* Collaborate with marketing and client services to position the service.
* Shape service positioning and enhancing client engagement, driving thought leadership in the psychology expert witness field.
* Providing clinical insight training and guidance to the Clinical Business Management team around the handling of psychology enquiries, with a focus on selecting the most appropriate psychology discipline and expert for each case.
* Actively promote Somek and Associates’ psychology expert witness services to clients, including claimant and defendant firms, through direct engagement, strategic outreach, and participation in professional forums or events.
* Support the evolution of the psychology expert witness service, identifying opportunities for innovation and growth.
2. Training
* Provide expert guidance and oversight to psychology associates, tailored to experience level and case complexity.
* Collaborate with the reports team proof readers and trainers to ensure consistency, accuracy and procedural excellence.
* Collaborate with fellow trainers to deliver comprehensive core training to all Somek and Associates experts — including those from other health professions — covering all aspects of casework:
o Case conferences
o Expert meetings and trial preparation
o Supplementary reporting
* Design and implement specialist in-service expert witness training programmes / training materials, specifically for psychologists, aligned with evolving best practices and legal standards. Training may be delivered as individual webinars or via the Somek and Associates’ annual conference.
* Engage with psychology experts during case preparation, including preassessment discussions and first report drafting. Be available for ongoing case‑related queries and support.
* Review initial and subsequent reports/written submissions, provide constructive written feedback, and advise on training needs. Ensure all submissions meet the required standards for quality and compliance.
* Alert the Quality Assurance & Training Lead (Quantum) to any concerns regarding standards and quality.
* Stay current with relevant case law, particularly as it pertains to psychology, and ensure key legal developments are integrated into expert practice.
3. Quality Assurance of Initial Reports / Written Submissions
* Ensure all reports address the issues outlined in the Letter of Instruction (LOI), with appropriate scope and depth.
* Ensure that reports are professionally written, remain within the expert’s area of competence, and reflect a sound understanding of the medico‑legal context.
* Following the primary review by a reports proof reader, ensure initial reports/written submissions are well‑written, free from colloquial language (unless directly quoted), and suitable for legal audiences.
* Ensure reports follow a coherent, logical format with a clear clinical and legal approach.
* Where applicable, ensure that the expert provides a balanced and professional critique of the counterpart’s report.
* Monitor and provide training on the appropriate use of reasonable restitution tailored to each case.
* Support experts in adhering to internal deadline policies and external court timetables, ensuring timely submission of reports.
4. Monitor Associates’ Contractual Engagement
* Provide updates on associates’ progress and reporting quality for quarterly audit & compliance meetings with Quality Assurance Team Leads.
* Ensure associates meet contractual obligations and maintain standards aligned with medico‑legal requirements.
* Identify areas where associates may benefit from additional guidance or clarification, and share feedback in line with contractual expectations.
* Liaise with Quality Assurance and Training Lead (Quantum) and operational teams to ensure appropriate support mechanisms are in place.
* Assist associates in understanding the criteria for progression through service levels and rate review thresholds.
* Provide clarity on expectations and facilitate access to relevant resources.
5. Recruitment
* Lead the end-to-end recruitment process for psychology expert witnesses, ensuring alignment with Somek and Associates’ organisational standards and requirements.
* Review applications, CVs, and pre-interview submissions with a critical eye for clinical expertise, report‑writing potential, and suitability for medico‑legal work across diverse case types.
* Conduct pre-interview screening calls to assess applicant motivation, communication style, and alignment with the values and expectations of expert witness practice.
* Chair or co‑lead virtual interviews, providing structured evaluation of candidates’ clinical reasoning, professional integrity, and capacity to deliver high‑quality, impartial evidence.
* Assess dummy reports and case evaluations, offering detailed feedback and making informed recommendations regarding appointment, onboarding, or further training needs.
* Represent the organisation at recruitment‑focused events, including professional conferences, recruitment fairs, and sector‑specific networking opportunities, promoting the role of expert witnesses and the organisation’s commitment to excellence.
* Contribute to strategic workforce planning, identifying gaps in psychology expertise (e.g. neuropsychology, child and adolescent) and supporting targeted recruitment campaigns.
6. Recording Time
* Log all time related to quality assurance on each case on Filemaker.
* Record ad hoc time for completing other work‑related duties on Filemaker.
Other Roles
As an experienced expert witness to be available, along with other internal senior expert witnesses, to provide clinical and expert witness related advice and support to associates and internal staff where required.
To attend the monthly S&A staff meeting on a regular basis.
To undertake reviews of complaints in conjunction with the Head of Medico‑Legal Operations, following complaints on a psychology expert witness case.
Continuing Professional Development
The post holder will be required to maintain their own continued professional development in the expert witness field, and keep abreast of changes that affect experts and their practice.
CPD is supported by Somek and Associates Ltd. Training needs will be identified through appraisal and supervision and funded by S&A. Applications, relevant to your work should be made to the Quality Assurance and Training Lead (Quantum).
Person Specification
Essential Qualifications & Registration
HCPC‑registered Neuropsychologist or Clinical Psychologist.
Chartered Membership with the British Psychological Society.
Minimum of 8 years post qualification experience in the UK.
Demonstrable recent experience (5 years +) in UK medico‑legal reporting and court‑compliant psychological assessments in the Clinical Negligence and Personal Injury field.
Knowledge & Experience
Extensive experience producing high‑quality expert witness reports in England.
Familiarity with audit compliance processes.
Experience in delivering structured training (e.g. workshops, webinars, peer‑review) and evaluating impact.
Involvement in strategic events such as professional conferences.
Skills & Abilities
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Confident in providing constructive feedback and facilitating professional dialogue with others.
Ability to contribute to promotional materials and thought leadership content that reflects service credibility and impact.
Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
Proficient in using digital platforms for training delivery, resource development, and associate engagement.
Personal Attributes
Strategic thinker with a proactive approach to service development and positioning.
Empathetic and transparent communicator, committed to upholding professional standards.
Collaborative and adaptable, with a commitment to continuous improvement and systemic change.
Professional integrity and discretion in handling sensitive information and feedback.
Confidentiality
The nature of the work of Somek and Associates is highly confidential, and the post holder will be expected to maintain full confidence.
All staff are part of the “Somek team” and may be required to assist any other team members when required and agreed with team leaders or their managers.
Somek and Associates - Our Core Values
We value working within a supportive, inclusive environment that demonstrates kindness, caring and respect.
We value high standards and providing an excellent, consistent quality service.
We value and are proud of our excellent reputation with our clients and associates.
We value our team spirit which recognises, supports, challenges and appreciates each person and their unique contribution.
We value our own and our organisation’s development and growth.
Quality Assurance and Training Lead - Psychology
From £60,000 to £75,000
Experience
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