Role Overview
The Paralegal assists in the effective management of the Legal Services Team to ensure that Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (the Trust) complies with its legal duties in relation to coroners' inquests, claims and other healthcare legal matters. The Paralegal will assist the Head of Legal Services and Legal Services Managers to ensure the smooth running of the legal services work within the Trust, which includes claims, coroners' investigations & inquests and general healthcare legal advice to Trust staff.
The Trust is a mental health and learning disability trust. This role will involve undertaking day to day management of the progression of inquests and claims work with appropriate supervision. This will include close liaison with external stakeholders including coroners courts and NHS Resolution. The Legal Services team works closely with the Risk & Safety team, who carry out investigations under PSIRF (Patient Safety Incident Response Framework). The Paralegal will need to work closely with this team to ensure that the coroner is kept up to date with the status of investigations under PSIRF.
Responsibilities
* Liaise closely with the Coroner's courts, providing them with information in accordance with deadlines
* Maintain a comprehensive database of inquests and claims and be responsible for the Legal Services diary including arranging legal meetings.
* Assist in preparing the Trust and its staff for inquests, including reviewing and advising on witness statements and complying with orders for disclosure.
* Attend inquests and court hearings in a supportive capacity and highlighting emerging risks to the Legal Services Team.
* Develop and maintain effective communication links with external agencies such as Coroner's courts, external solicitors, county councils and the police.
* Report claims to NHS Resolution (NHSR). Collate the evidence required to investigate individual claims and liaise with NHSR to handle claims effectively.
* Work closely with the Risk & Safety team, assisting them with investigations that may run in conjunction with or contribute to an inquest or claim
* To support with other general legal matters when required at the direction of senior members of the department, which may include assisting and advising on legal queries from across the Trust, reviewing records and reports and drafting legal documents.
About the Trust
Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is the leading provider of mental health, learning disability, neurodevelopmental and drug and alcohol services in Surrey and North East Hampshire. We support people of all ages and are passionate about providing high quality care that is delivered at the right time as close to home as possible to help people recover and stay well.
We are one of the top 10 mental Health, Learning Disability and Community Trusts to work for nationwide. Our Trust is an inclusive and supportive employer that offers a wide range of staff networks, flexible working, free parking and excellent health and wellbeing support. We also provide a wide range of opportunities to help staff develop and progress. Surrey is a beautiful county lying just 30 minutes away from Central London and from the South Coast. Our historic market towns and bustling districts are enveloped in wonderful countryside, and our excellent road and rail networks bring the rest of the country within easy reach. For international travel, both Gatwick and Heathrow airports are nearby.
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