Organisation Detail
Children’s Law Centre (CLC) is a charity, established in 1997, working to uphold and defend the rights of children especially the most vulnerable including those affected by mental ill health, disability, special education needs, homelessness and refugee and asylum-seeking children, to ensure their equal access to services without discrimination. CLC is the only charity providing free legal information, advice and support to children and their families in Northern Ireland, addressing denial of services to which children are legally entitled, advising duty holders of their responsibilities and challenging them when these are not met through client advocacy and representation.
For further information, visit our website.
Any questions regarding this organisation or the position should be directed to kathrynstevenson@childrenslawcentre.org
Job Description
This role is supported by the Legal Education Foundation's Justice First Fellowship and the successful candidate will be required to complete the LEF Justice First Fellowship Scheme.
This role will be based at the Children's Law Centre (CLC) undertaking legal services work including delivery of CLC's legal advice and information service, provision of legal outreach services, client casework, negotiation and representation at tribunal hearings, involvement in strategic litigation, policy and training from a children's rights perspective.
The successful candidate will compete the recognised post graduate solicitors training through The Institute of Professional Legal Studies (IPLS), Queen's University, Belfast (QUB), in accordance with the Law Society of Northern Ireland requirements.
In addition, they must also develop and implement an agreed Scheme project that will advance access to justice. The successful candidate will be supervised and supported by the CLC Senior Solicitor and will have the opportunity to attend and participate in the wider support, training and opportunities component of the Scheme organised by the Legal Education Foundation and its partners.
What can a trainee expect by training at this organisation?
The trainee would have a 29-month solicitor apprenticeship combining pre and post course periods of in-office training with 12 months full time study at IPLS, QUB. The period of training under the Fellowship scheme would commence in April 2024 and finish at the end of August 2026.
Pre-course training includes comprehensive induction with staff, familiarisation with CLC's legal policy and procedures, child safeguarding and data protection training and access to our inhouse legal training programme.
Detailed operational training on advice giving and recording with ongoing support and supervision and shadowing CLC's Legal Team in client interviews and casework and receive practical training on communicating and working with child clients.
Post-course the trainees will develop their knowledge and experience of tribunal procedures and strategic casework; be supported to prepare for and represents clients at SENDIST and Mental Health Tribunals and receive training to develop their knowledge and experience conducting strategic litigation, judicial review procedure and developing legal strategies for broader impact public interest case outcomes.
Main Responsibilities & Duties
Advice and Casework
With appropriate supervision provide CLC clients with legal advice, information and appropriate representation on the law as it relates to children and young people.
To carry out legal research as required to assist with legal advice and information enquiries and ongoing casework.
With appropriate supervision, to advise, represent and negotiate on behalf of children and young people and their parents/carers in relation to casework including providing representation at tribunal.
To participate in CLC casework meetings and to assist the Legal Team in identifying, initiating and conducting strategic litigation at court and tribunals in accordance with the Casework Policy.
To assist the Legal Team with the drafting and preparation of legal documents or submissions
To assist with the preparation and processing of applications for legal aid assistance in accordance with the regulations governing legal aid.
To maintain accurate records of all advice, information and representation provided in accordance with CLC accredited quality standards and any funder requirements.
To participate in the delivery of legal outreach services and awareness raising sessions to promote CLC legal services.
To assist in the production and revision of the Centre's legal information resources to reflect changes in the law including updating of legal information on CLC's website as required.
To undertake training, supervision and development relevant to the post including shadowing other members of the Legal Team.
To work as a member of the Legal Team and to contribute to the overall operations, advancement and strategic development of the CLC in accordance with organisational aims and objectives.
To assist CLC staff and volunteers as required.
To liaise with other agencies and working contacts as appropriate.
To undertake such administrative duties as may be appropriate in the performance of the main duties of the post and to assist the running of the Legal Unit
Policy and Training Work
With appropriate supervision to undertake policy research and analysis, including preparing papers, briefings and publications in order to inform and support ongoing influencing work.
To assist the Policy and Legal Teams in preparing responses to consultation documents and policy statements.
To assist in identifying the training needs of CLC members and others in response to changes in legislation and policy or test cases/case law developments
With appropriate supervision to research and produce written training resources and assist in the delivery of training.
To assist with preparation for and participate in seminars and conferences as appropriate.
Justice First Fellowship Scheme Project
As a fellow of the JFF Scheme to develop and implement an agreed Scheme project that will advance access to justice.
To report as required on the progress of the Scheme project.
To monitor and measure outcomes of the project by agreed methods to assist the CLC to evaluate the impact of the project.
