Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust

Solicitor

The closing date is 28 September 2025

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen within an inhouse legal team at a community and mental health NHS Trust. The team provide a comprehensive legal service, covering inquests, claims, employment, court of protection and general queries across the host trust and also a neighbouring acute trust. Every day is likely to be different and at times can be unpredictable! The role is challenging although hugely rewarding being part of the NHS family and supporting front line staff to deliver excellent patient care. Candidate will need significant experience undertaking employment litigation and giving employment advice. Ideally the successful candidate will have exposure to other areas covered by the legal team (inquests, claims, court of protection and general healthcare queries), however this is not essential as training will be provided, but there must be a willingness to branch out into these additional areas . The role is based at 2 Kings Court, Worcester, WR5 1JR and offers a hybrid approach, with 3 days working in the office or at one of our many sites and up to 2 days working at home. This friendly team consists of 3 solicitors as well as 4 paralegal staff supporting the work undertaken. This is an excellent opportunity to undertake high quality work and deliver excellent customer service whilst also having flexibility and a work/life balance.

This is full time post, but we would consider applicants looking for part time.

Main duties of the job

The role will involve providing employment litigation and advice as well as covering other aspects of healthcare advice or litigation. Developing relationships with staff at both NHS trusts, as well as externally is critical to deliver the best quality service. There is also a wide range of work covering the areas of inquests, claims, court of protection, or advising on matters relating to confidentiality. Every day can potentially be different, whether it is picking up an urgent query, or supporting other staff to do so.

The postholder will be leading on employment litigation and supporting front line staff and exposure to a range of different areas will be useful, as the work can be varied and intellectually challenging.

About us

At Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, we are working together to deliver outstanding care. We run community hospitals and community health services across Worcestershire and provide mental health and learning disability services across both Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Our people (all 4500+ of them) provide services for people of all ages, experiencing both physical and/or mental health conditions from over 100 sites.

We will support you to thrive; offer flexible working options for a great work-life balance, help you fulfil your ambitions, and empower you to make positive changes within your team or service. We value diversity and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, and ethnicities.

What we offer;

  • 27 days leave plus bank holidays, increasing up to 33 days with long service
  • Generous NHS pension and enhanced pay when you work unsocial hours
  • Flexible and agile working opportunities
  • Great maternity, paternity, and adoption support
  • Wide range of supportive staff networks
  • Health and wellbeing opportunities

If you would like to know more, please visit our website.

We encourage you to read the attached applicant guidance notes.

Sharing your data - As a data controller we may sometimes need to process your data to pursue our legitimate business interests, for example to request a survey from you (optional), to support the Trusts understanding of where you gained interest in working for the Trust.

Details

Date posted

29 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£55,690 to £62,682 a year pro rata for part time

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9798-1632

Job locations

2 Kings Court

Charles Hastings Way

Worcester

Worcestershire

WR5 1JR


Job description

Job responsibilities

For full details of the duties and criteria for the role please refer to the job description and person specification attached.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For full details of the duties and criteria for the role please refer to the job description and person specification attached.

Person Specification

Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • Accuracy
  • Possess an excellent grasp of English and be able to communicate confidently and effectively at all levels
  • Communicate with all disciplines of staff and external stakeholders in a clear and effective manner
  • Deal with people appropriately depending on the circumstances and individuals concerned
  • Good written and verbal communication skills.
  • Good interpersonal skills
  • Tact and diplomacy
  • Good keyboard skills
  • Organisational skills
  • Good telephone manner
  • Exhibits emotional intelligence and willingness to learn

Knowledge

Essential

  • Sound knowledge of the principles and processes of dealing with English Courts and Tribunal Services
  • Extensive previous advocacy experience in Employment Tribunals.
  • Ability to analyse and advise on highly complex matters, both orally and in writing
  • Previous experience of dealing with and advising on Employment Law including complex issues
  • Theoretical knowledge of NHS provisions, governance, structures and social care policies

Desirable

  • Experience of other forms of litigation in a healthcare setting such as employment tribunal, Coroners Court, professional regulatory or county court

Experience

Essential

  • Previous experience of working as a Solicitor/ Barrister in the field of Employment Law
  • Significant experience of advocacy in Employment Tribunals and a willingness to learn to undertake advocacy in other settings, such as a Coroners Court

Desirable

  • Previous experience of working in Healthcare Law
  • Previous experience in a similar Health or Social Care environment

Additional Criteria

Essential

  • Recognised team player, flexible and adaptable
  • Able to meet the travel requirements of the role

Qualifications

Essential

  • Solicitor or Barrister, or equivalent, with current ability to practise
  • I understand that I will be asked to provide original certificates to verify my qualifications at point of offer.
Person Specification

Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • Accuracy
  • Possess an excellent grasp of English and be able to communicate confidently and effectively at all levels
  • Communicate with all disciplines of staff and external stakeholders in a clear and effective manner
  • Deal with people appropriately depending on the circumstances and individuals concerned
  • Good written and verbal communication skills.
  • Good interpersonal skills
  • Tact and diplomacy
  • Good keyboard skills
  • Organisational skills
  • Good telephone manner
  • Exhibits emotional intelligence and willingness to learn

Knowledge

Essential

  • Sound knowledge of the principles and processes of dealing with English Courts and Tribunal Services
  • Extensive previous advocacy experience in Employment Tribunals.
  • Ability to analyse and advise on highly complex matters, both orally and in writing
  • Previous experience of dealing with and advising on Employment Law including complex issues
  • Theoretical knowledge of NHS provisions, governance, structures and social care policies

Desirable

  • Experience of other forms of litigation in a healthcare setting such as employment tribunal, Coroners Court, professional regulatory or county court

Experience

Essential

  • Previous experience of working as a Solicitor/ Barrister in the field of Employment Law
  • Significant experience of advocacy in Employment Tribunals and a willingness to learn to undertake advocacy in other settings, such as a Coroners Court

Desirable

  • Previous experience of working in Healthcare Law
  • Previous experience in a similar Health or Social Care environment

Additional Criteria

Essential

  • Recognised team player, flexible and adaptable
  • Able to meet the travel requirements of the role

Qualifications

Essential

  • Solicitor or Barrister, or equivalent, with current ability to practise
  • I understand that I will be asked to provide original certificates to verify my qualifications at point of offer.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust

Address

2 Kings Court

Charles Hastings Way

Worcester

Worcestershire

WR5 1JR


Employer's website

https://www.hacw.nhs.uk/careers (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust

Address

2 Kings Court

Charles Hastings Way

Worcester

Worcestershire

WR5 1JR


Employer's website

https://www.hacw.nhs.uk/careers (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Head of Legal

Rebecca Ollivere

rebecca.ollivere@nhs.net

01905520815

Details

Date posted

29 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£55,690 to £62,682 a year pro rata for part time

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9798-1632

Job locations

2 Kings Court

Charles Hastings Way

Worcester

Worcestershire

WR5 1JR


Supporting documents

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