Head of Legal Services

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust are looking to recruit a highly motivated, talented, dynamic and experienced Head of Legal Services to join the Inquest Team. The Head of Legal Services, through the provision of expert legal advice and guidance, will ensure that we are fully prepared for inquests, that staff have access to clear, relevant and up-to-date legal advice, and that there are robust processes in place to work closely both internally and externally with stakeholders, and particularly local Coroners.

We are looking for someone who is comfortable working in a dynamic and fast-moving environment, who has the skills and temperament to work in a collaborative manner across a wide range of internal services, and who has experience and resilience to be able to handle potentially emotionally challenging inquests and other legal situations, involving distressing detail in relation to patient care.

The post holder will provide expert legal advice to frontline staff, managers and the Board of Directors.

The Inquest Team is essential in facilitating and supporting Trust staff in relation to claims, Coroner's requests and inquests. The post holder will provide strategic management and development for the team to maximise learning and quality improvement in line with the Trust's long term strategy.
- The lead for the management of all claims (both clinical and non-clinical) against our organisation.
- The provision of expert legal advice to frontline staff, managers and the board in relation to Trust clinical activities (excluding corporate legalities as managed by the Trusts’ Company Secretaries), requiring the highest level of analytical skills and the ability to communicate complex and sensitive information.
- The Trusts’ lead for management of inquests. This includes providing the advocacy services at inquests and pre-inquest reviews and legal advice to the staff during the inquest process.

EPUT are looking for motivated staff who shares our Trust values of Care, Learn and Empower. In return, EPUT can offer you a range of benefits and development including;
- Season Ticket Loans
- NHS discounts for staff
- Excellent Training facilities and opportunities
- Buying and Selling annual leave scheme
- The opportunity to work bank shifts and expand knowledge and experience in other areas
- Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work
- Day One Flexible Employer

Claims & Litigation Management
- Responsible for policy implementation and development for Legal Services, which impacts across the Trust, ensuring they reflect national best practice and legal requirements.
- Trust-lead for the Claims Policy CP10 and Claims Procedure CPG10, ensuring they reflect national best practice and requirements in relation to claims management.
- Accountable for operations within the Legal Services division whilst ensuring communication and record keeping within the service is clear and concise.
- To take receipt of all litigation claims (clinical negligence, employers liability, public liability and occupiers liability) and manage these ethically and cost effectively on behalf of the Trust and in accordance with national guidance and the standards required by the National Health Service Resolution Authority (NHSR) and the Trusts’ policies and procedures. This includes planning and managing each case effectively, whilst ensuring relevant Directors, medical, nursing and professional staff are kept informed of the progress and the outcome of each case.
- Ensure a claims database is established and maintained in order to meet reporting requirements of the NHSR together with the production of management reports for the assurance committees to the Trusts’ Boards.
- Accountable for keeping Datix up to date with the progress of each claim.
- Work with the NHSR/panel solicitors to ensure the effective investigation, assessment and defence of claims within the parameters required by the NHSR. Ensure that comments are sought from the clinical staff involved as to their views on the allegations made.
- Work with colleagues in the relevant corporate teams and across clinical and corporate services to proactively identify potential litigation matters and risks or issues which need to be addressed so that action to mitigate against potential costs or prevent future harm or damage can be taken.
- In regards to non-clinical negligence claims, notify the Directors of Finance of financial estimates (budget setting) and quantum in order to ensure sufficient reserves are available to meet excesses.
- Be the Trusts lead point of contact with the NHSR/panel solicitors and its current compensation schemes.
- Obtain and retain witness statements. Support staff in drafting witness statements and in interviews, conferences with Counsel and Court.
- Under the scheme of delegation, the post holder has authority to settle or defend cases where the compensation payment is made under legal obligation up to the value