Legal Caseworkers – Children’s & Family Law and Education

Legal Caseworkers – Children’s & Family Law and Education

Permanent, Full Time

Up to £24,649 per annum

Location: Chelmsford

Working Style: Anywhere worker

Please note that we are looking to recruit for a Permanent (1) and a Fixed Term Contract (1) for 12 months.

The working style of this role is an Anywhere Worker, but we would expect the successful applicants to attend the office in Chelmsford, daily (Monday to Friday – start time between 9am to 10am) for the first 2 - 3 months to help get up to speed with the role. After the initial 2 – 3 month period the role would then see the successful applicants able to work remotely for 3 - 4 days a week, if required with 1 - 2 days per week based in the office in Chelmsford.

The Opportunity

Essex Legal Services provide high quality, professional, legal advice across the Council and to increasing numbers of external clients. Providing a client facing legal service which proactively embraces change and delights the customer.

As a caseworker in the Children and Education Team you will help to provide a high-quality advice and litigation service to meet the Council’s statutory requirements and will support legally qualified and other colleagues, in providing routine admin and quasi legal tasks, aligned to the delivery of legal work. Working directly to lawyers and paralegals, you will be commissioned to undertake various tasks such as preparing court bundles, organising meetings and sending papers. You will contribute to delivering a more efficient, professional service that is valued by our customers and improves their business.

Educated to Level 3 or equivalent, with significant work experience in a legal environment. With an ability to build good working relationships both with colleagues and clients, you will deliver excellent customer service.

Accountabilities

• Supports legally qualified colleagues in the delivery of all aspects of routine legal work across the Council and to external customers.
• Good understanding of client needs and provides them with a service they value, which supports them in driving the delivery of productivity and efficiency improvements.
• Supports colleagues in the development of current and future business opportunities, to promote the Essex Legal Services’ vision to the external market.
• Responsible for delivering personal objectives in support of the function’s overall business plan.
• Develops good working relationships across the Council, schools, other local authorities and the private sector, to ensure a quality service is provided to the customer.
• Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.

The Experience You Will Bring

• Experience of working within a legal setting in a public service or private sector environment, assisting in the provision of legal work.
• Educated to Level 3 (A level) or equivalent by experience.
• Evidence of continuing professional development and developing knowledge in relevant professional area.
• Proven track record of excellent customer service skills.
• Works collaboratively with colleagues and the client base, to understand customer needs with a strong focus on delivering positive outcomes which meet these needs.
• Ability to develop professional credibility with a client base at differing levels.
• Ability to develop working relationships across a large, complex organisation and with internal and external partners/stakeholders and clients.
• Ideally require a knowledge and understanding of a public legal sector environment with particular knowledge of the Children Act 1989 and the Children and Adoption Act 2002. If not, you will evidence an interest in this area and an aptitude to learn.

To read more about us please visit: Corporate Services

Why Essex?

Essex County Council has a location to be proud of. Our 1,300 square miles stretch from Constable Country to the Thames Estuary, from the dynamic M11 corridor to the traditional seaside resorts of Clacton and Walton. England’s oldest town, Colchester, and two of its newest – Basildon and Harlow – are right here. Along with the City of Chelmsford, the county town, they form our major population centres. It means real choice and makes Essex the ideal place for your career. Read more about us.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.

We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

County Council has determined that the off-payroll working rules will not apply to this assignment.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

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If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email daniel.warner@essex.gov.uk

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