The Role
Social Work England is the specialist body that regulates social workers in their vital role. Every day, social workers support millions of people to improve their chances in life. We believe in the power of collaboration and share a common goal with those we regulate – to protect the public, enable positive change, and ultimately improve people’s lives.
Our case presenters will have a degree level within legal education and will have some advocacy experience. They will have the support and guidance of the Senior Fitness to Practise Lawyer, Fitness to Practise Advocacy Team Manager and a Business Support Officer.
Case presenters will prepare and present, on behalf of Social Work England, interim order applications, interim order reviews, final order reviews and early reviews of either interim orders or final orders. This role will ensure the delivery of high-quality work, in line with statutory requirements and relevant case law. Please note there are 4 positions available.
This role would be ideal for those who are looking for on the job advocacy experience whilst they consider legal qualification as a barrister, solicitor or as a CILEX lawyer,
For instance those who:
- Have completed the vocational component of their Bar training (Bar training course, Bar Training programme) or completed the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) and are considering applying for pupillage
- Have completed the Legal Practice Course
- Are studying or have completed SQE1 and/or SQE2
- Are completing or have completed the CILEX Graduate Qualification (CPQ)
- Foreign qualified lawyers
We require advocacy experience which could include (but is not limited to)
- Completing the advocacy component of your legal education
- Engaging in mooting
- Representing clients in a tribunal setting (for instance, through working or volunteering at a law clinic or representing clients)
As part of the induction and probation period we will provide an extensive training programme, which will include training sessions with our internal and external legal colleagues, shadowing opportunities and mock hearings. There will be a final assessment as part of the probation period, which will test your fundamental oral and written advocacy skills. You will have the support of your Advocacy Team Manager and Senior Fitness to Practise Lawyer to ensure you are well trained and prepared to undertake the role before you start presenting cases for Social Work England.
What you will do
- Review and prepare cases to present before our adjudication panels; in person or on the papers. At a hearing you will provide structured oral submissions, respond to panel questions, address any submissions/evidence provided by the social worker or others and undertake cross examination
- Engage with social workers and their representatives ahead of a hearing/meeting, at a hearing and in the follow up from a hearing/meeting to provide logistical support and documentation.
- Prepare position statements, identifying and responding to legal issues and setting out a recommended legal position
- Prepare and serve notices of hearing/meetings on social workers that comply with our statutory framework and timeframes
- Prepare and serve hearing/meeting bundles in a timely manner that include all relevant documents, take account of the relevant legal requirements and include appropriate redactions
- Work flexibly with your team around listing changes including preparing and presenting cases at short notice to meet operational demands
- Provide legal advice to the case review team in relation to potential early interim and substantive order reviews in line with the regulations, rules and relevant case law under supervision from the team manager
- Develop and maintain effective relationships with key stakeholders including the case review and adjudication teams, the external legal provider and the triage and investigation teams
- Undertake post hearing/meeting follow up work in a timely and accurate manner including providing appropriate feedback to the substantive case holders under supervision from the team manager
- Provide support to the triage and investigation team (where required) in relation to their case management, including case planning, evidence gathering, case progression and assessment of risk under supervision from the team manager and other legal colleagues within fitness to practise
- Support the training of other members of the organisation on the work of the in-house advocacy team
Your skills, knowledge and experience
- Law degree or non-law degree (with completion of Law Conversion Course) or a CPE/GDL/PGDL and some experience of advocacy
- The ability to communicate professional and effectively with a range of external stakeholders
- A high degree of accuracy when reviewing and considering complex legal arguments, preparing documents including positions statements, hearing/meeting notices and bundles for hearings/meetings
- A high degree of resilience in the face of challenge and opposition and an ability to identify and respond appropriately to legal issues (seeking advice and support from management where required)
- Ability to work effectively in a changing and time pressured environment and deliver high quality work within tight timeframes with competing priorities
- Strong legal analytical skills, with the ability to analyse complex issues and present risk-based and practical legal advice and options to senior stakeholders
- Ability to gain and maintain a strong working knowledge of Social Work England regulations, rules, processes and relevant regulatory case law
- Strong organisational and time management skills, able to work effectively to manage competing priorities
Details
- Job type: Permanent (4x positions available)
- Working pattern: Full time. We offer flexible working subject to business need.
- Salary: £37,583 per year, rising to £39,817 per year after successful completion of a 6-month probationary period
- Location: Sheffield/Hybrid
- Benefits: flexible working, contributory pension, life insurance and benefits portal
Application
During the application process, you’ll be asked to provide answers to three questions from the job description. These answers will be what your application is scored on, please answer in as much detail as possible using examples where necessary.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £37,583.00-£39,817.00 per year
Benefits:
- Cycle to work scheme
- Free flu jabs
- Life insurance
- On-site gym
- Sick pay
Schedule:
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Sheffield S3 8J
Linked-in
Google