Housing Caseworker or Solicitor

Central England Law Centre; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Central England Law Centre is looking for a dedicated caseworker or solicitor in Birmingham. You'll advise on housing law, support clients under the Legal Aid contract, and represent them effectively in court. The ideal candidate possesses excellent communication skills, experience with legal aid applications, and a commitment to social justice. This full-time role involves a caseload across Birmingham with some potential for hybrid working.

Qualifications

• Proven experience of delivery of casework through a legal aid contract.
• Experience of completion of public funding forms via CCMS.
• Proven ability to meet cost targets.

Responsibilities

• Advise clients on all aspects of housing law.
• Represent clients at court as appropriate.
• Record time spent on casework accurately.
• Conduct casework in compliance with Legal Aid Agency requirements.
• Liaise with the Legal Aid Agency regarding funding applications.

Skills

Experience of advocating for clients in court and with other agencies

Excellent oral and written communication skills

Sound organisational skills

Demonstrable commitment to social justice

Ability to work cooperatively as part of a team

Education

Solicitor or caseworker qualification

Tools

Specialist legal case management systems

MS Outlook

MS Word

MS Excel

Job description

Hours: Full-time (37 hours per week)

Location: Tyseley, Birmingham (with some potential for hybrid working)

About this role

Central England Law Centre (CELC) provides a vital service to clients across Coventry and Birmingham, providing support for all aspects of housing law through a team of dedicated solicitors, caseworkers, paralegals and support workers.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced caseworker or solicitor to join the team, supporting our clients across Birmingham in the delivery of casework through the Law Centre’s Legal Aid contract.

The successful candidate will be subject to a basic DBS check.

Responsibilities

With responsibility for a caseload of clients across Birmingham, the successful candidate will:

• Advise clients on all aspects of housing law through face-to-face and telephone appointments
• Undertake casework and represent clients at court as appropriate
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the Law Centre to provide a high quality, holistic service for clients
• Accurately and consistently record time spent on casework, maintaining records to the standards required by the Law Centre
• Conduct casework in compliance with Legal Aid Agency requirements
• Liaise with the Legal Aid Agency in respect of funding applications and claims
• Complete public funding forms via CCMS and paper applications where appropriate
• Promptly cost and bill closed cases in order to meet individual and team targets
• Carry out file reviews
• Work in partnership with other organisations who are supporting our client group
• Keep up to date with current legislation, case law and policy in relation to housing
• Identify opportunities for strategic litigation work, to influence the local authority and others public bodies.

General

The housing caseworker/solicitor will also:

• Demonstrate commitment to the vision, mission and aims of Central England Law Centre
• Abide by policies and procedures as set out in the office manual and staff handbook
• Attend team meetings, CELC away days and external event as required
• Undertake any other task reasonably required within the context of this post

Person spec

• A solicitor or caseworker with proven experience of the delivery of casework through a legal aid contract
• A demonstrable commitment to social justice
• The ability to work sympathetically and effectively with a wide variety of clients
• Experience of advocating for clients in court and with other agencies
• Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of legal aid eligibility requirements and legal aid applications
• Experience of the completion of public funding forms via CCMS and in hard copy
• Proven ability to meet cost targets
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• An understanding of the importance of confidentiality
• A non-judgmental attitude
• Experience of using specialist legal case management systems, and of MS Outlook, Word and Excel
• Sound organisational skills with the ability to organise and prioritise workload, always ensuring excellent service to your clients
• The ability to get on with people and be polite under pressure and to work co-operatively as part of a team.
• Ability to work as part of a team and with partner agencies