Assistant Head of Legal Services

Job overview

Organisation: South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

Directorate: Corporate Governance

Department: Legal Services

Role: Assistant Head of Legal Services

Reports to: Head of Legal Services

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Base: Trust Headquarters, Crawley, with flexibility to work across Trust locations as required

Assignment Length: 3-months (with potential for extension, dependant on business needs)

Start Date: ASAP

Working Arrangement: 37.5 hrs a week

Main duties of the job

We are seeking an experienced legal professional to support the Trust's Legal Services function, with particular responsibility for the management of a portfolio of complex Coroners' Inquests and clinical/non-clinical claims.

The post holder will work closely with the Head of Legal Services, senior managers and clinical leads, providing expert legal guidance, advice and support across the organisationThis is a senior and autonomous role requiring someone who is comfortable managing complex and sensitive legal matters, advising senior stakeholders and representing the Trust within the coronial process.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be expected to:

Independently manage a portfolio of complex Coroners' Inquests. Provide specialist advice on coronial matters to colleagues at all levels of the organisation. Plan and prepare for sensitive legal hearings.

• Attend and advocate at Inquests, including examining and cross-examining witnesses and making legal submissions.
• Work in accordance with relevant NHS Resolution schemes, protocols and legal requirements.
• Liaise with key external legal stakeholders including NHS Resolution, panel solicitors, Counsel and HM Coroner.
• Obtain and review records, witness statements and other evidence required for claims and Inquests.
• Support organisational learning arising from claims and Inquests.
• Provide specialist advice and training to clinical and non-clinical colleagues.
• Support the Head of Legal Services with the wider management of the Legal Services function and line management of legal administrative staff.

Essential

• A legal qualification/degree and/or substantial relevant claims management or Inquest experience.
• Extensive knowledge and experience of legal provisions, structures and policies.
• Demonstrable experience of managing clinical and/or non-clinical negligence claims within a healthcare environment.
• Strong knowledge of coronial law and process.
• Understanding of NHS Resolution and the claims/investigation process.
• Experience of independently managing complex legal caseloads.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to communicate complex, sensitive and potentially contentious information confidently.
• Strong analytical and decision-making capability.
• Excellent organisation and the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
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• Strong stakeholder-management skills, including the ability to advise and influence senior colleagues.
• Experience of working with NHS Resolution and panel solicitor firms.
• Previous line management experience.
• Experience delivering legal training.
• Knowledge of corporate and clinical governance within the NHS.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.