Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Paralegal

The closing date is 30 November 2025

Job summary

The Paralegal assists in the effective management of the Legal Services Team to ensure that Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (the Trust) complies with its legal duties in relation to coroners' inquests, claims and other healthcare legal matters.

The Paralegal will assist the Head of Legal Services and Legal Services Managers to ensure the smooth running of the legal services work within the Trust, which includes claims, coroners' investigations & inquests and general healthcare legal advice to Trust staff. The Trust is a mental health and learning disability trust.

This role will involve undertaking day to day management of the progression of inquests and claims work with appropriate supervision. This will include close liaison with external stakeholders including coroners courts and NHS Resolution.

The Legal Services team works closely with the Risk & Safety team, who carry out investigations under PSIRF (Patient Safety Incident Response Framework). The Paralegal will need to work closely with this team to ensure that the coroner is kept up to date with the status of investigations under PSIRF.

Main duties of the job

Liaise closely with the Coroner's courts, providing them with information in accordance with deadlines
Maintain a comprehensive database of inquests and claims and be responsible for the Legal Services diary including arranging legal meetings.
Assist in preparing the Trust and its staff for inquests, including reviewing and advising on witness statements and complying with orders for disclosure.
Attend inquests and court hearings in a supportive capacity and highlighting emerging risks to the Legal Services Team.
Develop and maintain effective communication links with external agencies such as Coroner's courts, external solicitors, county councils and the police.
Report claims to NHS Resolution (NHSR). Collate the evidence required to investigate individual claims and liaise with NHSR to handle claims effectively.
Work closely with the Risk & Safety team, assisting them with investigations that may run in conjunction with or contribute to an inquest or claim
To support with other general legal matters when required at the direction of senior members of the department, which may include assisting and advising on legal queries from across the Trust, reviewing records and reports and drafting legal documents.

About us

Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is the leading provider of mental health, learning disability, neurodevelopmental and drug and alcohol services in Surrey and North East Hampshire. We support people of all ages and are passionate about providing high quality care that is delivered at the right time as close to home as possible to help people recover and stay well.

We are one of the top 10 mental Health, Learning Disability and Community Trust to work for nationwide. Our Trust is an inclusive and supportive employer that offers a wide range of staff networks, flexible working, free parking and excellent health and wellbeing support. We also provide a wide range of opportunities to help staff develop and progress.

Surrey is a beautiful county lying just 30 minutes away from Central London and from the South Coast. Our historic market towns and bustling districts are enveloped in wonderful countryside, and our excellent road and rail networks bring the rest of the country within easy reach. For international travel, both Gatwick and Heathrow airports are nearby.

Please note that we reserve the right to close posts as soon as sufficient applications are received.

Regrettably, due to UK Home Office requirements we cannot offer sponsorship for all our job roles.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK for the duration of the role.

We look forward to receiving your application!

Date posted

13 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£32,602 to £39,686 a year Incl. 5% Fringe HCAS, pa, pro rata.

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

325-7572553-CORP

Job locations

18 Mole Business Park

Randalls Road

Leatherhead

KT22 7AD

Job description

Job responsibilities

The Paralegal will assist the Head of Legal Services and Legal Services Managers to ensure the smooth running of the legal services work within the Trust, which includes claims, coroners investigations & inquests and general healthcare legal advice to Trust staff. The Trust is a mental health and learning disability trust.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The Paralegal will assist the Head of Legal Services and Legal Services Managers to ensure the smooth running of the legal services work within the Trust, which includes claims, coroners investigations & inquests and general healthcare legal advice to Trust staff. The Trust is a mental health and learning disability trust.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Experience

Essential

Degree level qualification or equivalent experience/qualifications
Experience of working in a legal environment

Desirable

Law degree or paralegal qualification
Experience in a healthcare legal role
Experience of managing legal files/ caseload

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

Ability to work as part of team and develop effective working relationships
Excellent communication skills, both written and oral
Ability to manage conflicting prioritise and work under pressure managing a caseload
Computer literate, including working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Powerpoint, Excel and Word)
Ability to analyse clinical and legal information
Excellent attention to detail

Desirable

An understanding of the inquest and claims processes
Good knowledge of the NHS
Experience and understanding of Mental Health law, including the Mental Health Act 1983, the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards
An understanding of the laws relating to patient confidentiality and consent
An understanding of the NHS Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF) and experience of reviewing and understanding PSIRF reports

Person Specification

Qualifications and Experience

Essential

Degree level qualification or equivalent experience/qualifications
Experience of working in a legal environment

Desirable

Law degree or paralegal qualification
Experience in a healthcare legal role
Experience of managing legal files/ caseload

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

Ability to work as part of team and develop effective working relationships
Excellent communication skills, both written and oral
Ability to manage conflicting prioritise and work under pressure managing a caseload
Computer literate, including working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Powerpoint, Excel and Word)
Ability to analyse clinical and legal information
Excellent attention to detail

Desirable

An understanding of the inquest and claims processes
Good knowledge of the NHS
Experience and understanding of Mental Health law, including the Mental Health Act 1983, the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards
An understanding of the laws relating to patient confidentiality and consent
An understanding of the NHS Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF) and experience of reviewing and understanding PSIRF reports

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.