Overview
Birmingham City Council's legal service seeks a Paralegal (Education Team). Permanent, Grade 4 - £34,434 - £41,771. Working 36.5 hours per week. Based in Victoria Square in the City Centre, Birmingham. The Education legal Team advises on a broad range of Education Legal matters, including School Organisation, Elective Home Education, Special Educational Needs, School Improvement, School and Governor Support, Education Transport, Admissions, Exclusions and Alternative Provision. The Team also deals with claims for Judicial Review brought against the City Council in respect of education matters and appeals in the Upper Tribunal relating to SEND matters. Your caseload would include the School Admissions Appeals and Exclusion Review Services."
Key responsibilities
* Provide paralegal and legal support to the Education lawyers and clients.
* Undertake case work on own cases and co-work with colleagues.
* Represent the City Council in legal proceedings and meetings as appropriate, including clerking School Admission Appeals and Exclusion Independent Review Panels.
* Carry out legal research, prepare applications, and draft documents and correspondence.
* Liaise with Council officers and communicate both orally and in writing with outside bodies including Solicitors, Counsel and Court/Tribunal staff.
* Assist team members, lawyers and other staff on progression of legal cases as required.
* Ensure that the Department’s policies, procedures and practice standards are adhered to.
Requirements and qualifications
You will need to be educated to degree level or equivalent or have equivalent experience of working in a legal environment and demonstrate an interest in the subject area. Experience of working in a Local Authority or a legal environment is preferred.
Benefits
* 30 days annual leave – increases to 33 days after 5 years and 35 days after 10 years, plus option to purchase additional leave.
* Access to voluntary benefits providers that support health, wellbeing and leisure time.
* Family friendly policies (maternity/adoption, paternity, shared parental leave, carers’ leave).
* Health and wellbeing support networks (employee assistance, counselling, occupational health, etc.).
* Employee communities and support groups including Corporate Black Workers Support Group, Disability and LGBT+ Networks, Menopause Support Forum, etc.
* Disability confident employer.
* Membership of job-related pension schemes (West Midlands Pension Fund or Teachers’ Pensions) with generous employer contributions.
* Access to My Rewards – discounts across brands and services.
* Salary sacrifice schemes (Cycle to Work, Annual Travel, Car Parking, etc.).
Application notes
Please upload an up-to-date CV and Personal Statement via the attachments part of your application. The Personal Statement should outline how you meet the essential criteria through your personal qualities, skills and experience and include your motivation for applying to the post. The Personal Statement should be no more than 1500 words. Applications made without a CV and Personal Statement attached will not be considered.
Birmingham City Council is an accredited Disability Confident Leader employer, and we are committed to employing, retaining and developing all of our people. We welcome adjustments or additional support for applicants with accessibility needs during the recruitment process. For informal enquiries please contact: Resourcing@birmingham.gov.uk. We welcome applications from people with caring responsibilities and flexible working options will be considered. Proof of Right to work in the UK will be required before any employment offer can be confirmed in accordance with UK Home Office requirements.
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