PROJECT MANAGER/SOLICITOR (Child Protection):

JOB DESCRIPTION

LOCATION:Children’s Legal Centre, 38 Great Portland Street, London, W1W 8QY, with some time in our Colchester Office.

SALARY SCALE:£30,000 - £35,000 (depending on experience)

RESPONSIBLE TO: The Head of Research, Policy and Communications

HOURS:40 hours per week with 1 hour paid lunch break

FIXED TERM POSITION: Until 31stMarch 2013

PURPOSE:

The Children’s Legal Centre requires an enthusiastic and experienced child protection lawyer to lead a new and dynamic service for front line practitioners on safeguarding children, including a phone line, an innovative website, training, legal and policy updates.

This exciting new service will address all issues of child protection and safeguarding for professionals working with children and young people and will be used by a range of professionals including multi-disciplinary teams, social workers and medical professionals.

You will set up a new project funded by the Department for Education. You will be expected to have extensive experience of child law and especially of child protection and safeguarding in its widest sense. You will be expected to demonstrate writing and research skills and an experience of both developing and delivering training. You will be responsible for leading the team and providing advice to professionals who call in via the advice line.

MAINDUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1Project Management

1.1Lead a team and recruit new team members;

1.2Work with team members to ensure that deadlines are met;

1.3Provide regular supervision for junior members of staff;

1.4Prepare reports for funders;

1.5Meet key performance indicators;

1.6Ensure that all project materials are accurate and up to date;

1.7Set up and chair meetings with a High Level Advisory Group;

1.8Oversee development of new website and all website content;

1.9 Liaise with other organisations to promote awareness of the project;

1.10 Ensure the financial sustainability of the project;

1.11Find ongoing funding;

1.12Initiate and oversee the evaluation processes undertaken by the team to ensure user satisfaction.

2Providing the Service

2.1Provide advice to professionals via a dedicated telephone line;

2.2Contribute to the development of training materials and other resources;

2.3Remain informed of all changes to legislation and policy in relation to child protection and safeguarding;

2.4Provide training to professionals working with children and young people;

2.5Accurately record full details of all telephone and other communications with service users;

2.6Ensure the sustainability of the project.

3.Working within the Children’s Legal Centre’s Policy, Procedures and

Standards

3.1Maintain the standard of professional service in line with the Children’s Legal Centre’s Standards and Procedures documents,SRA regulations and LSC requirements.

3.2Comply with other relevant policies and procedures i.e. the Children’s Legal Centre’s H&S policy

4.Representing the Children’s Legal Centre and promoting the work of the service

4.1Work with team members to promote the new project to various audiences including multi-disciplinary teams andnot for profit organisations;

4.2Initiate contacts and attend meetings or appropriate external groups;

4.3Provide professional advice in answer to enquiries from inside or outside the Children’s Legal Centre;

4.4Seek out and participate in media interviews as advised.

5.Work in partnership with staff from other organisations

5.1Develop and maintain professional working relationships with staff from other agencies;

5.2Work alongside staff from other agencies or departments to deliver services;

5.3Liaise closely with colleagues and other professionals to promote good working relationships and safe child protection practices;

5.4 Develop networks and key contacts.

6.Contribute to personal and lead team development

6.1Actively participate in team meetings, briefings and training events;

6.2Take responsibility for developing your own and other professional knowledge and skills;

6.3Critically appraise and comment on the work of others to aid their development;

6.4Set objectives by which they can be measured;

6.5Attend evening meetings where necessary.

7.Contribute to the development of best practice and service development

7.1Assist in identifying opportunities to develop service activities;

7.2Assist in developing and using best practice in the light of legal and other changes;

7.3Contribute to service development, setting objectives and systems to monitor these as required by line management;

7.4Contribute to policy development within the organisation and in the wider child protection network;

7.5Contribute and assist in the updating and development of information and resources;

7.6Keep informed about the policies of the Children’s Legal Centre and the organisation’s strategies and explain these to a variety of audiences;

7.7Be proactive in maintaining our case management system and record keeping;

7.8 Actively contribute to, and participate in, team and departmental meetings.

Other

Although the core duties of the post are set out within the job description, a flexible approach to work is essential. You may be required to adapt the above duties to take account of changes to working practices (e.g. introduction of new technology).

PROJECT LEAD

Person Specification

QUALIFICATIONS/TRAINING

Essential

  • A solicitor entitled to practice within the jurisdiction
  • Holds a good honours degree

EXPERIENCE/KNOWLEDGE

Essential

  • Knowledge of the law relating to child protection and safeguarding
  • 3 years PQE minimum
  • Membership of the Child/ Family Law Panel / Resolution Accreditation
  • Leadership skills

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Essential

  • Excellent analytical skills, ability to demonstrate sound and balanced judgement
  • Excellent project management skills, including the ability to set up a new project;
  • Good attention to detail and nuance;
  • Articulate with excellent communication skills, both face to face and via telephone;
  • Experience of fundraising and promoting a service to others;
  • The ability to lead and work effectively as part of a team;
  • The ability to master new skills and topics quickly;
  • Ability to set priorities and motivate others;
  • Capable of working calmly and effectively under pressure and to tight deadlines;
  • An interest in Child law and Child Protection;
  • Excellent research skills;
  • Ability to analyse data for the purpose of reporting;
  • The ability to question, check or query as appropriate;
  • Dynamic and flexible attitude;
  • Pragmatic approach and ability to be innovative where appropriate;
  • Experience of Case Management Systems and able to be self supporting administratorily.

ADDITIONAL FACTORS

Essential

  • Highly motivated, committed and willing to persevere;
  • Presenting a smart, professional, positive and acceptable image to both internal and external contacts;
  • Ability to cope with the pressures of the post, including a positive attitude and the ability to accept constructive criticism;
  • Understanding of and empathy for clients, including vulnerable young people;
  • Able to lead and cope with change.

Desirable

  • Clean driving licence

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

The Children’s Legal Centre is committed to providing equal opportunities in employment. This means that all job applicants, employees, advisers and volunteers will receive equal treatment regardless of race, colour, ethnic or national origins, sex, marital status, sexual orientation or disability.

The successful candidate will be asked to submit to a CRB Disclosure application.

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