Continuing Healthcare Advocate

About the Organization

Ethical Legal Services Ltd is a unique social enterprise with a long history of delivering skilled advocacy and training in NHS continuing healthcare. We are committed to delivering excellence and achieving success in line with our objectives.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and skilled advocate to join our team as a Continuing Healthcare Advocate. The successful candidate will provide specialist advocacy to individuals navigating the NHS continuing healthcare assessment and complaints processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide advocacy and active case support in person or remotely to clients in England and Wales throughout the NHS continuing healthcare assessment process.
• Analytically examine all relevant care records and assessments in preparation for continuing healthcare assessments and reviews.
• Prepare clients for their assessment and provide robust advocacy at assessment meetings based upon a sound understanding of the facts, and referencing evidence compiled from such records.
• Manage personal travel arrangements in line with company policies and procedures.
• Provide advocacy and casework to clients who wish to make a formal complaint through the NHS complaints procedure about a continuing healthcare-related matter from a sound understanding of the facts, having prepared key arguments by researching relevant records.
• Prepare factual written submissions and reports for clients and relevant Integrated Care Boards.
• Provide specialist information and advice to clients tailored to their specific situation and needs regarding the interpretation of a primary health need from a thorough understanding of relevant criteria, assessment frameworks and legal tests which are based upon case-law.
• Keep informed of issues, policies, guidance and legislation affecting clients ensuring that the information provided is relevant, current, complete and accurate.
• Respond to new referrals by making prompt initial contact with the client within the timescales specified by company policies.
• Work closely and efficiently with health professionals from relevant Continuing Healthcare (CHC) teams with the aim of resolving client issues at the earliest possible opportunity so as to provide an efficient and cost-effective service, and to minimise stress for the client.
• Develop and maintain working relationships with health and social care colleagues within the field of Continuing Healthcare in order to influence best practice.
• Work with partner organisations and stakeholders to share knowledge, make appropriate referrals, maintain consistency and draw upon each other’s expertise, always striving to improve the quality of both services and provide a better customer experience.
• Keep relevant and sufficiently detailed case records at each stage and as the case progresses; ensuring that all client information is kept up to date in line with company systems and procedures, including data protection (GDPR) policies.
• Minimise business costs and maximise income for the company by meeting chargeable time targets, working efficiently, charging clients appropriately and in a timely manner.
• Uphold the principles of paralegal casework as specified by the Institute of Paralegals, providing a good standard of client care by working with skill and competence thereby ensuring clients are able to place their trust in you.
• Uphold organisational values, promoting Beacon’s social goals through each area of your work.
• Manage your own caseload and work independently within the boundaries of company policies.
• Foster an atmosphere of continuous learning and development.
• Attend line management, supervision and team meetings as appropriate, and to play a full part in the development and success of Beacon.

Requirements

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience working within the field of NHS continuing healthcare or a similar role with a transferable knowledgebase.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with an ability to engage effectively with a range of stakeholders in challenging circumstances.
• Ability to establish a good rapport with clients in a professional and caring manner and represent them in situations that may at times be highly emotionally charged.
• Ability to travel long distances with overnight stays on a frequently (weekly) basis.
• Health, social care, advocacy or legal qualification is desirable but not essential.

Nice to Have

• Proven ability to analyse complex matters, provide a clear and coherent rationale and deliver robust advocacy by presenting a persuasive, fact-based argument.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary with performance-related bonus
• Pension Scheme
• Generous Annual Leave Entitlement
• Company credit card
• Death in Service Benefit 4x salary
• Flexible Working
• Health & Dental Care Plan
• Professional Development Plan
• Employee Rewards Scheme (Perkbox)