Release

This is a full time position (35 hours per week). The post holder can work through a mixed model of home working with a minimum 2 days per week in the office. At the moment, the post holder will be required to deliver a minimum of 2 outreach services per week providing legal services to clients of the centre. The services delivered at the centres include legal advice, assistance and representation with particular focus on welfare benefits, housing and debt matters. The post holder will also be required (after a period of induction and/or training) to provide advice on Release’s national legal helpline. This usually entails providing advice on issues pertaining to the criminal law and criminal justice system related to drugs offences. In addition to the delivery of legal services, the post holder will also be required to assist with the policy work undertaken by the organisation. The working hours are 10am – 6pm Monday to Friday with a one hour lunch break.

MAIN OBJECTIVES

• To provide advice, casework and (where appropriate) representation in the category of welfare benefits, housing and debt.
• To provide legal advice on the national helpline to those impacted upon by the drug laws or have legal problems due to their drug use.
• To assist in developing new areas of legal practice within the organsation working closely with the management to achieve this/these.
• To provide guidance and oversight to the legal advisors, caseworkers, and volunteers/interns

DELIVERY OF LEGAL SERVICES

1        To provide legal advice and assistance on a wide range of social welfare law, including welfare benefits, housing, homelessness and debt. This will include dealing with: cessation of benefits; benefit appeals; overpayments; backdated claims; homelessness applications; rent arrears; debts with creditors including commercial debts and court fines.

2        To provide representation at Social Security Tribunals.

3        Undertake casework where appropriate to do so and refer to external agencies/firms where necessary.

4        To keep up‐to‐date with changes in relevant areas of law through own research and attending training.

5        To provide legal advice on the national helpline as and when required.

6        To engage in project work, training, publicity and information work as required.

7        To undertake your own document administration and processing.

8        To undertake regular reviews of all new and ongoing clients.

VOLUNTEER PROGRAMME

9        To assist in recruiting volunteers to the legal volunteer programme.

10     Provide guidance, oversight and training to legal volunteers.

POLICY WORK

11     To assist the Manager/Head of Legal Services/Executive Director in setting and developing both operational and strategic policies.

12     Provide commentary on legal developments within the context of drug legislation and policies.

13     Feed into public consultations which impacts on drug policy and/or people who use drugs.

GENERAL

14     To work effectively, co‐operatively and in a supportive manner with colleagues at Release and other organisations with which it works.

15     To keep accurate and up to date records and ensure that all communications, written and oral, are of a professional standard. To creatively use telephone, email and website for communicating legal advice and information.

16     Represent the organisation in a positive and professional manner.

17     To undertake any other duties as may be reasonably required by senior management at Release.

Closing time & date:       5.00 pm on Friday 09 September 2022

Interviews to be held:     As applications arrive final interview date 12 September 2022

Start date:                        Preferably by 10 October 2022, or earlier if possible

Salary:                               £29,577 to £34,728 p.a. based on PQE and relevant experience

Contract Type:                 Permanent

Holidays:                          29 days plus public holidays

Location:                          Hybrid - Office (Aldgate, London)/Working from home

To apply for the position, please send a current CV and a supporting statement  detailing why you are suitable for the position quoting reference SOL0822 to recruitment@release.org.uk

Applicants are strongly advised to use the supporting statement as the opportunity to relate their skills to the job description and person specification.

For an informal and confidential discussion regarding the position, please contact the Legal Services Manager –Stephen Cutter on 020 7324 2991 or email stephen@release.org.uk