Job Title: Family caseworker/solicitor
Reports to: Head of Family
Salary: Caseworker - £33,067 - £34,655 / Solicitor - £39,895 - £42,962 (depending on level of qualification)
Hours: Full-time (37 hours per week)
Location: Coventry (with some potential for hybrid working)
About this role
Central England Law Centre (CELC) provides a vital service to clients across Coventry and Birmingham, providing support for all aspects of family law through a team of dedicated solicitors, caseworkers, paralegals and support workers.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced caseworker or solicitor to join the team, supporting our clients across Coventry in the delivery of casework through the Law Centre’s Legal Aid contract.
The successful candidate will be subject to a basic DBS check.
Responsibilities
• To advise clients on aspects family law including child arrangement orders, childcare proceedings & domestic violence through a combination of appointments, home visits and telephone advice as appropriate.
• To undertake casework and represent clients at court as appropriate
• To work in partnership with other organisations who are supporting our client group
• To work collaboratively with colleagues to provide a high quality, holistic service for clients that is able to address multiple legal needs
• To keep up to date with current legislation, case law and policy in relation to family
• To identify opportunities for strategic litigation work, to influence the local authority and others.
• To maintain cases to standards required by Central England Law Centre
• To conduct casework in compliance with the Legal Aid Agency requirements
• To complete public funding forms via CCMS and paper applications where appropriate
• To liaise with the Legal Aid Agency in respect of funding applications and claims
• To assist with the prompt billing and costing of files
• To record time spent on casework and meet daily targets
• To contribute to the team’s financial targets
• To carry out file reviews as appropriate
• To attend training courses as appropriate
General
• To demonstrate commitment to the aims, principles and policies of the Law Centre and abide by policies and procedures as set out in the Office Manual and Staff Handbook
• To attend staff meetings and external meetings and seminars when necessary
• Any other task reasonably required within the context of this post
Person spec
* A demonstrable commitment to social justice and the ability to work sympathetically and effectively with a wide variety of clients.'
* Experience of family law
* Able to meet the Legal Aid Agency Supervisor Standard for family law (desirable)
* Experience of working under a Legal Aid Agency contract and a detailed understanding of legal aid eligibility requirements and legal aid applications, including using CCMS (desirable)
* Experience of advocacy
* Proven ability to meet costs targets
* The ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with clients
* An understanding of the importance of confidentiality
* A non-judgemental attitude
* Experience of using a case management systems and IT systems including Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook
* Excellent oral and written communication skills
* Excellent organisational skills, including the ability to prioritise multiple pending tasks and provide realistic timescales for completion, to ensure that key deadlines are met and to work effectively when under time pressure
* The ability to learn quickly and develop new skills
* Ability to get on with people and be polite under pressure and to work co-operatively as part of a team
* Attention to detail and sufficient numeracy to complete legal aid and
costing forms
* Self-motivated, able to work independently and on own
initiative and able to organise own workload
* Ability to work as part of a team and
with partner agencies