Head Of Legal

HEAD OF LEGAL (SENIOR SOLICITOR) 

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AUTHORITY FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE 

SALARY £80,732 

What we are looking for:  

We are looking a Head of Legal (Senior Solicitor) to lead the section 29 team within our Regulation and Accreditation Directorate.  

One of the Professional Standards Authority’s (PSA’s) key roles is to review the final fitness to practise panel decisions of the 10 regulators we oversee. Section 29 of the National Health Service Reform and Health Care Professions Act 2002 provides the PSA with a discretion to refer these decisions to the relevant Court. Where we make a referral, the Court will decide whether to overturn the decision. 

In this role, as a qualified lawyer with a practising certificate, you will be responsible for leading our section 29 function, leading and managing a small team to ensure our role is carried out to protect the public, in line with our statutory remit. This includes using your expertise in fitness to practise to ensure the team are effectively identifying cases that may be insufficient for public protection. You will be responsible for managing our appeals, instructing external Counsel and working with external solicitors. You will also have the opportunity to work with other teams within the PSA to provide advice in respect of fitness to practise.  

We are looking to recruit a driven and enthusiastic individual who can:  

• Demonstrate expertise in fitness to practise, including knowledge of the issues relevant to health and care regulators. 
• Lead an organisational function, providing strategic direction and ensuring delivery of high-quality operational work.
• Manage relationships with external Counsel and solicitors to ensure our appeals work is conducted effectively.  
• Contribute to the work of the PSA more widely, including as a member of the Senior Management Team, and advising other teams in their work that relates to fitness to practise.  

We are committed to promoting a fair and inclusive workplace where all our staff can flourish and reach their full potential. We know that a diverse workforce, at all levels, allows for a more creative and productive environment bringing different viewpoints, knowledge and experience. Therefore, we are keen to improve the diversity within our organisation and would like to encourage individuals who come from a diverse range of backgrounds. 

As a Disability Confident employer, we will guarantee an interview for people with disabilities who meet all the essential criteria and so if you would like to be considered under this scheme then please let us know. 

How to apply 

If you are interested in applying and would like to be sent an application form, wish to receive the application in an accessible format or want to find out more about the organisation and the role, please contact by email via the button below. Please note that we will not consider CVs. 

Closing date for applications: 14 July 2024 (11:59pm) 

Interviews will be held remotely on 24 July 2024. Please note that it is unlikely that an alternative interview date could be offered should you be unable to attend on that date. However please do contact us to discuss. 

Should you wish for reasonable adjustments to be made at any stage of the process please do not hesitate to contact the HR team on 0207 389 8050 or email recruitment@professionalstandards.org.uk   

The PSA currently operates a hybrid policy. In the first six months of employment, full time staff working five days will be expected to attend the office three days a week. However, should you require any reasonable adjustments please contact us directly to discuss. 

The PSA’s offices are currently located in Blackfriars, London. 

Our privacy notice which sets out how we will use your data can be found here https://www.professionalstandards.org.uk/privacy-policy