Claims Handler

Torbay Council; Torquay; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

A local governmental authority in Torquay is seeking a Claims Handler for its Legal Services Team. The role involves managing civil litigation cases and providing risk management advice across various Council services. Applicants should have a CILEX level 3 qualification or equivalent and at least three years of claims handling experience. This position offers a favorable hybrid working arrangement. Contact Samantha Goodwin for more information.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years relevant claims handling experience.
• Ability to conduct legal research autonomously.

Responsibilities

• Handle mixed caseload of civil litigation matters.
• Provide risk management advice to Council departments.
• Assist in determining legal liability and quantum.

Skills

Legal advice provision

Analytical skills

Investigative skills

Decision-making

Education

CILEX qualification level 3

Claims handling qualifications

Job description

Overview

Application Deadline: 16 February 2026

Department: Corporate Services

Location: Torbay Council

Compensation: £35,412 - £38,220 / year

Torbay is breath-taking, captivating, and welcoming, occupying a prime position on the south coast of Devon. Currently experiencing unprecedented levels of investment and the Council’s own ambitious transformation programme have given Torbay the opportunity to capitalise on the area’s profile and many assets.

As a unitary authority, you’ll discover Torbay is a place where you can make things happen quickly. We have real momentum building, fuelled by a shared sense of purpose and ambition – which is evident by our success in being awarded the ‘Most Improved Council’ in the Local Government Chronicle Awards 2023.

We want Torbay and its residents to thrive and are committed to making a difference in our community, delivering high quality services to local people. To complement this journey, we are now seeking a Claims Handler to join our Legal Services Team.

Responsibilities

• Carry a mixed caseload primarily of civil litigation matters centred upon the defence of public and employers’ liability claims.
• Provide risk management and claims advice to Council departments covering a wide spectrum of public services.
• Work in a fast-paced and varied caseload environment; be conscientious, professionally curious, and a role model to other team members.
• Be a flexible team player, adept at communicating with a wide variety of audiences and able to work to deadlines with a diverse caseload.
• Hit the ground running with experience in claims handling; local authority experience is desirable but not essential.

Knowledge, Skills & Qualifications

• This post requires a Standard Criminal Level Check; details of all spent and unspent convictions and adult cautions that have not been filtered in line with legislation will be disclosed.
• Skills — Essential:
  • Ability to give clear and accurate legal advice to client departments to ensure they may effectively consider risk and statutory obligations in their decision making.
  • To be analytical, investigative, and possess effective decision-making skills to enable accurate and reasoned determinations of legal liability.
  • Ability to conduct legal research autonomously and confidently interpret statutes, regulations, and other legal resources to determine legal liability and quantum.
• Knowledge — Essential:
  • A high-level knowledge of the law of tort.

Experience & Qualifications

• CILEX qualification level 3, or recognised claims handling qualifications from an approved body (e.g., Chartered Insurance Institute, Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters) or equivalent.
• Minimum of 3 years suitable and relevant claims handling experience.

Additional Information

This role offers an enviable hybrid working arrangement to support a healthy work-life balance. The role will require attendance at essential meetings and/or court appearances as part of the remit.

For an informal chat please contact Samantha Goodwin on 01803 207164 or [e-mail]. Interviews are expected to be conducted during the week commencing 23rd February 2026. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Our adverts do sometimes close early – if you’re keen, please apply as soon as possible.

Further information

Full job description available at: https://www.torbay.gov.uk/jobs/job-descriptions/claims-handler/