LEGAL ADVISOR / ADVOCATE
FULL TIME 37.5 HOURS PER WEEK
We're an energetic team who are seeking equity and justice for children with SEND and their families... Would you like to join us?
We are seeking an experienced legal adviser who is well versed in the current legislation in England and, preferably, Wales.
The main focus of the role will be to support, provide options and advocate for parents and carers of children and young people with SEND in England.
Our team has won awards for its work, and we're well known for being positive change-makers with a sunny disposition. We're proud to be an inclusive employer, with enormous flexibility and autonomy offered to all team members.
The Role Will Involve...
- Making a huge difference to the lives of the children and young people who's parents and teachers we support
- Developing your caseload / undertaking triage calls
- Managing a very busy caseload
- Producing statutory assessment requests on behalf of parents and schools
- Negotiating with LAs
- Attending meetings with LAs, schools and other stakeholders
- Annual Reviews
- Case management and co-ordination - ensuring effective strategy and planning in the gathering of independent evidence
- Lodging appeals and managing tribunal preparation
- All related matters that require advocacy/support
- Providing reassurance to parents and carers
- Hosting related webinars in conjunction with our partners
- Producing PAP letters, working with external law firms to support the JR process
Essential And Desirable Criteria
In order to carry out the job, and 'hit the ground running' there are specific skills and experiences that we require from applicants. We would expect all candidates who are interested in working with us to be friendly, a strong team player, keen to share ideas and listen to others.
- Excellent understanding and practical experience of the SEND CoP and legislation that underpins it -?essential
- Independent?experience of requesting statutory assessments -?essential
- Independent experience of appealing and preparing for tribunal - desirable
- Attending and advocating for families at meetings -?essential
- Annual reviews and the full annual review process -?essential
- Lodging appeals to the tribunal service - essential
- Hosting training/presenting webinars - desirable
- Understanding and awareness of available provision in England - desirable
Please evidence the above experience and skills on your CV in order to secure an interview.
Remuneration Details
- £28,000-£40,000 (dependant on experience as a fee earner)
- Full time hours
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays
- Ongoing training and development
- Provision of other wellbeing benefits
- LOCATION: we work flexibly. Fully supported working from home, our office or hybrid
- Flexible working, with full autonomy over your diary
- MacBook, iPhone and other necessary equipment and software with full IT support
- Staff discount of our own services