Contents Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information Location This position is based at NOTTINGHAM OPG NOTTINGHAM, NG2 1AR, OPG Victoria Square House, B2 4AJ About the job Job summary Please refer to Job Description Job description Organisational Overview The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) protects people in England and Wales who may not have the mental capacity to make certain decisions for themselves, such as about their health and finance. We are an Executive Agency of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), set up in 2007 following the introduction of the Mental Capacity Act of 2005. OPG is responsible for registering lasting powers of attorney (LPA) and enduring powers of attorney (EPA) and supervising deputies who are appointed by the Court of Protection. OPG is a fantastic place to work offering a range of development opportunities. The OPG is a disability confident employer and is committed to developing a supportive and inclusive environment that reflects the diverse community we serve. OPG is currently delivering an ambitious transformation programme. This will change the way we provide services and help us meet the growing needs of our users, partners and our stakeholders. It will make sure our users experience a better level of support and will help us to respond to the changing needs of society. Transformation will ensure we can better support adults at risk and create high-quality services that are accessible and affordable. Team Overview The team comprising 70 to 80 staff members is multidisciplinary in nature and aims to provide a high quality and efficient specialist legal service for OPG. We have Senior Lawyers, Lawyers, Senior Paralegals and Paralegals, a Legal Support team as well as an excellent team of legal operations specialists. The team has two principal functions: (1) to conduct litigation on behalf of the Public Guardian in the Court of Protection, managing the whole litigation process. This involves reviewing cases from colleagues in Operations, Investigations and Supervision, and making a decision as to whether to issue applications covering the following: 1. Determination of the lawfulness of certain provisions of LPAs and the severance of unlawful parts; 2. Removal of attorneys appointed on the ground they are not acting in accordance with their MCA obligations; and 3. Removal of non-compliant deputies. (2) to provide legal advice across the organisation on a wide range of matters including policy, investigations, complaints and where litigation is threatened/brought against OPG. The work is important, rewarding and challenging in ensuring timely action is taken to prevent abuse. Whilst being based across several different offices, the team works well together as a community, team members are well-supported and there is progression at all levels. For paralegals, there are potential opportunities for support with applications to qualify as lawyers. Duties and Responsibilities To ensure the Public Guardian (or those representing them) is fully prepared to present cases in Court by assisting OPG lawyers in the preparation and progression of matter through the Court of Protection (COP). You will retain ownership of the case from court application to closure ensuring all documents are received from parties and COP and are stored appropriately within the Legal Case Management System. This is a fast-paced environment, where you must be able to manage and prioritise your work, through the life of a case including regular reviews and closure to ensure effective delivery of all targets. This is a technical position with no management responsibilities. Your responsibilities will include but are not limited to: · Following client department instructions and providing legal information to both client departments and the public. · Managing a caseload to meet relevant Impact Indicators and Service Standard targets · Accurately inputting case information into legal management systems and preparing court documents such as witness statements and COP forms. · Performing general administrative tasks, interpreting court orders, and managing the lawyer's diary. · Reviewing and making decisions on severance cases and gathering formal statements and evidence for lawyer review · Drafting responses to correspondence under lawyer oversight and preparing court bundles and indexes. · Engaging and liaising with clients via different methods of communication to maintain positive relationships and successful progression of cases · Providing support during court hearings and meetings, conducting legal research, and arranging meetings with various parties. · Identifying urgent matters and escalating them as needed, collaborating with lawyers to progress and close cases. · Supporting continuous improvement in the legal team's work and delivery of training as and when required · Keeping up to date with legal changes and ensuring services align with new legislation and policies. · Travel to other locations as required and handling confidential information. Agreed Expectations The successful candidate will be expected to work from their base location on a weekly basis in line with current Civil Service requirements, outside of any reasonable adjustments. Occasional travel to other offices is required. Skills & Qualifications Essential Skills Experience of working in a legal environment Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office computer packages i.e., Word, Excel, Outlook, MS Teams, OneNote, Presentations and PowerPoint Excellent written and oral communication skills. Flexible approach to dealing with the changing nature of the work. Accuracy and attention to detail Ability to independently plan and manage a caseload, analyse data and meet tight deadlines Ability to work across all grades and areas of OPG, MoJ and other government departments, to deliver competing priorities Desirable Skills Legal qualification, including but not limited to; law degree, qualifying law degree, Graduate Diploma in Law, CiLex, LPC, BPC. Experience in casework. Knowledge of court procedures and government regulations. Knowledge of MCA, Code of Practice, LPA & EPA Regulations. Application process This vacancy is being advertised using Success Profiles which will assess your Experience, Behaviours, Strengths and Technical Skills. There will be 3 stages to the application process. Sift Candidates will be expected to provide a Personal Statement of Suitability of no more than 1000 words in support of your application based on essential and desirable skills and experience. Assessment If you are successful at sift, you will be invited for a practical assessment which will test your technical skills. The assessment may be held remotely via MS teams. You will be asked to have your camera on during the assessment. Interview Process If you are successful at the assessment, you will be invited to an interview which will use the Civil Service Success Profiles. At interview, candidates should expect questions on: Strengths relevant to the role The following Behaviours: Working Together (Level 2) Managing a Quality Service (Level 2) Delivering at Pace (Level 2) Your Experience of working in a legal environment All interviews will be held remotely via MS Teams. You will be asked to have your camera on during the interview. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview. Reasonable Adjustments At OPG we consider all applications on the basis of merit and want you to feel able to demonstrate your full potential whatever type of assessment is used. If you require any reasonable adjustments for any aspect of the selection process, do not hesitate to get in contact with us. As a Disability Confident organisation, we will offer a guaranteed interview to candidates with a disability who meet the essential criteria for this role. If you are applying for a role within OPG and would like to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme, please indicate this in your application and let us know of any reasonable adjustments you may require during the selection process. For further information on benefits of working for OPG, such as our Flexible Working Policy and a FAQ, please check the candidate information pack attached to this advert. If your application for this role is unsuccessful, we may offer you an alternative role at the same or lower grade should one be available. Person specification Please refer to Job Description Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Working Together Managing a Quality Service Delivering at Pace Technical skills We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process: Assessment Benefits Alongside your salary of £28,312, Office of the Public Guardian contributes £8,201 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. Access to learning and development A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options to enhance your work life balance A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% Annual Leave Public Holidays Season Ticket Advance For more information about the recruitment process, benefits and allowances and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page. Link: https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ Things you need to know Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills. https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Nationality requirements This job is broadly open to the following groups: UK nationals nationals of the Republic of Ireland nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. Diversity and Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window). Apply and further information This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative. The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window). Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Contact point for applicants Job contact : Name : SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team Email : Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiriesgov.sscl.com Telephone : 0845 241 5359 Recruitment team Email : Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiriesgov.sscl.com Further information Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commissions Recruitment Principles. I you feel a department has breached the requirement of the Recruitment Principles and would like to raise this, please contact SSCL (Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiriesgov.sscl.com) in the first instance. If the role has been advertised externally (outside of the Civil Service) and you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/civil-service-recruitment/complaints/ https://jobs.justice.gov.uk/careers/JobDetail/2125?entityId2125 Apply at advertiser's site Share this page Print Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn GMail