Job description

Job responsibilities

Inquest Management

• Ensure the Head of Legal Services and Senior Director of Corporate Governance are fully briefed on any Inquests that may have significant effect on the reputation of the Trust.
• Manage a portfolio of Inquests ensuring timely response to requests for witness statements/reports.
• To provide support for frontline staff, and all those required to attend Coroners Court, including support in the preparation of witness statements and attendance at hearings.
• To oversee the administration of requirements as set by Her Majestys Coroner and officers, developing good working relationship to ensure that coronial and inquest processes occur without delay through Trust action or inaction.
• To ensure that all necessary information is collated prior to the inquest.
• To consider whether NHS Resolution inquest funding should be applied for.
• To carry out the advocacy at both pre-inquest reviews and inquests, including making submissions as to whether the inquest needs to be Article 2 or held in front of a jury.
• To identify whether the Trust is at risk of criticism or at risk of being subject to a Prevention of Future Death Report. To liaise with external support, i.e. NHSR/Counsel, when required, and to provide assurance to the Trust Board in relation to the outcome of inquests.
• Provide reports relating to all Prevention of Future Death reports associated with the Trust and to lead if reports/ feedback is required to provide assurance to Her Majestys Coroner that action has been taken to mitigate the risk of future occurrence.
• To provide quarterly reports to the Risk and Compliance Group relating to national PFD reports and the potential action required to take to mitigate the risk of similar occurrences within the Trust in line with best practice guidance.
• To consider whether any learning needs to be disseminated to the relevant Divisions following an inquest.
• Maintain comprehensive Datix database regarding Inquest activity ensuring utilisation of the Datix database to flag key dates and manage alerts related to ensuring timely file reviews.
• Ensure an inquest database is established and maintained in order to meet reporting requirements for the production of management reports for the Board and Quality and Safety Committee. Keeping Datix up to date with the progress of each inquest.

Other Duties

• Undertake professional and personal development by maintaining own knowledge of relevant law and clinical management procedures through reading and attending relevant study days.

Service Delivery and Improvement

• Provide claims analysis information to Care Units to inform their improvement work.
• In conjunction with the Head of Legal Services, review and manage policies and procedures for the management and monitoring of claims across the Trust.

Financial and Performance Management

• To be aware of the restriction, both budgetary and of resources within the team and working within these limitations.

Risk Management and Governance

• To work within the governance framework of the Trust, escalating issues and risks when identified.
• Facilitate the timely provision of information when requested.
• Contribute to proactively manage risk to delivery of own service and that of the wide Governance Directorate Team.
• Organise and maintain electronic filing systems, ensuring proper records are kept which are accurate and accessible.

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications

Essential

• Degree level standard and professional qualification in law
• Post-graduate degree in relevant area
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Qualified Solicitor or Barrister with a Current Practising Certificate

Desirable

• Information management qualification

Knowledge

Essential

• Good knowledge of national health service, and local, regional and national policy
• Extensive knowledge of coronial law management.
• Good knowledge of legal requirements, processes and terminologies.
• Understanding of medical terminology
• Experience of preparing electronic reports

Desirable

• Knowledge investigation tools and techniques and best practice

Skills/Experience

Essential

• Experience of managing all aspects of Inquests including preparation and advocacy.
• Working with complex, sensitive and confidential information
• Identifying and interpreting national policy / guidance and implementing required changes.
• Experience of using electronic filing / case management systems

Desirable

• Experience of working within the NHS

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Excellent communication skills (written verbal and presentational)
• Advocacy experience and strong advocacy skills
• Eye for detail and accuracy
• Analytical and problem solving skills
• Good investigation skills
• Empathy, ability to deal with distressed and highly emotive patients/relatives
• Good negotiation skills to manage potentially conflicting positions
• Ability to prioritise and manage a number of conflicting requirements in a professional manner and deal with a number of complex issues at the same time.
• Able to understand and communicate complex, sensitive and situations when persuasion and empathy may be required
• IT literate - working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel
• Able to deal with an unpredictable workload, ensuring key priorities and deadlines are met through effective time management
• Able to work on own initiative and as part of a team
• Able to identify serious issues, prioritise and escalate appropriately

Desirable

• Good project management skills

Additional Qualities

Essential

• Able to use own initiative.
• Able to meet deadlines, and work under pressure.
• Team working.
• Able to secure co-operation of colleagues at all levels.
• Organised/able to organise others
• Attention to detail.
• Able to deal with distressing situations.
• Sensitive to others particularly when dealing with bereaved complainants or relatives.
• Calm under pressure.
• Able to work with staff and others outside of the organisation in a positive and professional manner.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website .

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants .

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website .

Employer details

Employer name

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Lodge

Lodge Approach

Runwell, Wickford

SS11 7XX