Job summary
The Legal Service Co-ordinator is a key member of the corporate Legal Services team.
The post holder will be responsible for leading the litigation function within the Trust, including all aspects of medico-legal and personal liability claims investigation, management and resolution. They will manage support the management of inquest cases in a timely and efficient manner and provide general legal advice to staff across the Partnership, and advice on complex, sensitive contentious information to senior colleagues.
Main duties of the job
To lead on the management of complex litigation claims (clinical negligence, employer liability and public liability) against the organisation in accordance with relevant pre-action protocols, civil procedure rules and NHSR reporting requirements, performing all functions as required.
To ensure that there are structured systems in place for recording and reporting on claims and inquests. To analyse claims to identify trends and risk management issues. To support the Legal Services Managers in matters as they arise.
To support staff involved in claims and to assist in the provision of witness statements.
To monitor and keep under review the development of litigation and inquest cases, agree action plans and identify risk management issues arising from them and ensure information is fed back to the appropriate committees.
To support the Legal Services Managers on the management of inquests including attendance at inquest hearings as required.
To liaise with the Coroner's office and obtain reports and witness statements from clinical staff for inquest cases in a timely manner.
To provide support to staff involved in inquests and to provide advice on writing witness statements.
To provide guidance and advice to clinical staff on the provision of reports as required by the Court of Protection.
About us
The partnership betweenBarnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust (BEH)andCamden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust (C&I)is going from strength to strength since it was originally established in 2021 forming theNorth London Mental Health Partnership.
Why choose to join the Partnership?
- We believe that by working together, our two Trusts can achieve more for the residents of North Central London and our patients than we can by working apart.
- Deliver the best care using the most up-to-date practise in supporting those with mental health illnesses.
- Transforming and creating a positive environment for our service users, staff and visitors.
- Creating and working together to become a great place to work for all our staff.
- We offer flexible working, a wide range of health and wellbeing initiatives, NHS Pension and so much more.
- Generous Annual Leave Allowance
- NHS Discounts in a large variety of retail stores and services.
- We have excellent internal staff network support groups.
The postholder will need to be comfortable working in an environment of complex matrix management arrangements and will at all times behave and align with our Trusts' values and cultural pillars:
- We are kind
- We are respectful
- We work together
- We keep things simple
- We empower
- We are proudly diverse
In order to meet the needs of the new Partnership services you may be required from time to time to work at different locations to your normal place of work.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for detailed information about the role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for detailed information about the role.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to degree level and / or equivalent professional qualification
- Masters in Healthcare Law or equivalent
Experience
Essential
- Extensive experience as a Legal Services Manager in the NHS or a practicing solicitor in medical negligence, or similar relevant experience
- A detailed understanding of the function of NHS Resolution, its reporting process, the claims management process.
- Understanding of governance matters as they relate to the NHS.
- Good understanding of legislation that applies to the NHS such as the Data Protection Act 1998, the Access to Health Records Act 1990, the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
Skills and abilities
Essential
- Engages with and learn from peers, other professionals and colleagues in the desire to provide or support the most appropriate interventions
- Effective organisation/prioritisation skills
- Able to maintain discretion regarding sensitive issues
- Highly motivated with ability to influence and inspire others
Knowledge
Essential
- Highly developed communication skills with the ability to communicate on highly complex matters and difficult situations both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to provide and receive, convey and present highly complex, sensitive and contentious information.
- Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of staff.
- Ability to analyse highly complex medical cases/claims' sensitive information and draw out conclusions.
- Ability to present training material to large groups of staff
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to degree level and / or equivalent professional qualification
- Masters in Healthcare Law or equivalent
Experience
Essential
- Extensive experience as a Legal Services Manager in the NHS or a practicing solicitor in medical negligence, or similar relevant experience
- A detailed understanding of the function of NHS Resolution, its reporting process, the claims management process.
- Understanding of governance matters as they relate to the NHS.
- Good understanding of legislation that applies to the NHS such as the Data Protection Act 1998, the Access to Health Records Act 1990, the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
Skills and abilities
Essential
- Engages with and learn from peers, other professionals and colleagues in the desire to provide or support the most appropriate interventions
- Effective organisation/prioritisation skills
- Able to maintain discretion regarding sensitive issues
- Highly motivated with ability to influence and inspire others
Knowledge
Essential
- Highly developed communication skills with the ability to communicate on highly complex matters and difficult situations both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to provide and receive, convey and present highly complex, sensitive and contentious information.
- Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of staff.
- Ability to analyse highly complex medical cases/claims' sensitive information and draw out conclusions.
- Ability to present training material to large groups of staff
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
