Pro Bono Community is a registered charity that has developed specialised training programmes for students, trainees and lawyers specialising in the practical skills involved in delivering free legal advice and areas of social welfare law. In conjunction with the training, the charity coordinates volunteering placements at Law Centres and other advice agencies. The charity’s activities include a number of grant-funded projects, one of which will involve the charity setting up and running its own digital advice clinic.
We are looking for individuals to join our team who share our aims and mission and are driven to make them a reality.
Title: Welfare Benefits Appeals Clinic Supervisor
Rate: £20-25 per hour
Hours: Up to 20 hours per week
Contract: Freelance
Location: Mainly remote working
Start Date: Provisionally September 1st 2022
Introduction
Pro Bono Community (PBC) is looking to recruit a part-time Welfare Benefits Appeals Clinic Supervisor. In addition to leading a team of law students providing remote case work and representation for claimants appealing welfare benefits decisions to the First-tier and Upper Tribunal for Social Security, the role may include contributing to the PBC’s wider activities.
About the Remote Appeals Clinic
PBC’s Remote Appeals Clinic – opening in late 2022 – will provide free advice, case work and representation to clients who want to appeal welfare benefits decisions to the First-tier and Upper Tribunal for Social Security. The clinic will operate entirely remotely, with staff, volunteers and clients all participating via digital channels and telephone. The service will be provided by a supervisor supported by other PBC staff and up to sixteen law student volunteers working on a rota basis. The Remote Appeals Clinic aims to secure access to justice for welfare benefits claimants who lack existing support. It is envisaged that the clinic will initially be open to clients one morning or afternoon a week but this may increase over time.
The role includes:
· Helping to design the clinic and building a body of template policies, materials and other documents prior to launch
· Supervising law student volunteers to provide casework and representation to claimants appealing including work capability assessment and disability benefit decisions, working remotely through telephone and digital channels
· Coordinating the clinic’s case load, ensuring deadlines, paperwork and communications with HMCTS and relevant parties are dealt with appropriately
· Providing guidance to law student volunteers on dealing with clients, casework, the appeals process, legal grounds, evidence, and tribunal hearings
· Undertaking appeals casework and representation where necessary, and working flexibly with other staff to ensure the smooth running of the clinic
· Contributing to the wider work of Pro Bono Community, including coordinating volunteer placements at advice agencies, the administration of volunteer training programmes and the monitoring and evaluation of volunteers’ impact.
Note: This role is subject to a DBS check
If you wish to apply for this position,
please send a covering letter and CV (including reference: Web) via email
stating how you meet the JD and PS for this role to: Bill Skirrow at bill@probonocommunity.org.uk
Application Closing Date: Wednesday 22nd June 2022
Key Documents:
