Deputy Head of Legal Services - Inquests

£57528-£64750

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford

Full time
Temporary
Onsite working

Posted 2 days ago, 22 Apr | Get your application in today.

Closing date: Closing date not specified

Job ref: 6079b161be8a421fbf6516355cd14bda

Location ref: Oxford

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Full Job Description

To deputise for the Head of Legal Services in the management of the Legal Services Department and Subject Access Request Team and to directly line manager the Claims and Inquest Officers;
To provide cross-cover for the duties of the Deputy Head of Legal Services -Claims, as required;
To act as a role model and provide positive, professional and accountable leadership to the legal team;
Role and Leadership: The post involves deputising for the Head of Legal Services, managing the Legal Services Department and Subject Access Request Team, and directly line managing Claims and Inquest Officers, providing accountable leadership to the legal team.
Inquest Management: The role requires independently conducting a portfolio of complex coroner's inquests, acting as legal advocate in court, liaising with coroners, instructing external legal representation, and preparing responses to Regulation 28 reports to ensure compliance and organisational learning.
Patient Safety and Communication: Identifying and escalating patient safety risks from claims or inquests, and providing non-clinical information to patients and relatives about legal claims and inquest processes.
Policy, Training, and Development: Advising on clinical and non-clinical policies, assisting in legal training development and delivery for staff, researching legal developments, leading inquest case management meetings, and supporting continuous professional development., Healthcare Legal Advice: Providing expert legal advice on healthcare law including patient consent, capacity, confidentiality, safeguarding, and regulatory matters, and briefing senior management on sensitive legal issues with potential operational or reputational impact.
Safeguarding Responsibilities: Liaising with safeguarding leads on care proceedings, providing advice on disclosure and statements, supporting staff giving evidence in family courts, and advising on complex legal issues related to Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.
Police and Criminal Cases: Deputising in managing police requests for healthcare records and statements, ensuring compliance with GDPR and confidentiality, liaising with police and security, and advising on legal actions to protect patients and staff during violent or threatening incidents.
Reporting and Administration: Assisting in preparing claims reports, managing inquest data audits, attending committees, and supporting complaint and incident report reviews, alongside developing operational procedures for efficient inquest management.

o Must be a qualified solicitor, Legal Executive, or Barrister admitted to practice in England and Wales, with relevant post-qualification experience.
o Educated to degree level with the LPC or equivalent qualification.
o Significant specialist work experience in inquest management within an NHS Trust or similar environment.
o Significant leadership experience, with excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills.
o Ability to communicate with a wide range of audiences and establish credibility quickly.
o Ability to analyse and process highly complex facts and information in respect to clinical negligence claims and devise appropriate management strategies., o Previous experience working in health and social care law, beyond the essential NHS claims and inquest management background.
o Experience working in a public sector, legal, or insurance environment, especially at a senior level in a large, complex, and dynamic organisation.
o Demonstrated experience in staff management, training, teaching, setting objectives, and performance management, including holding people to account.
o Knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act, Mental Health Act, and other associated general advice matters.

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research.

Direct job link

https://www.jobs24.co.uk/job/deputy-head-of-legal-services-inquests-126724285