Job Title: Senior Investigations Paralegal

Job description

Job title: Senior Investigations Paralegal

Reporting to: High Profile Investigations Manager

Job family: Regulatory Casework

Pay level: D

Role purpose

You will support the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s (NMC) fitness to practise investigation work in relation to the analysis and review of high profile and complex matters including: regulatory and police investigations; public inquiries; coroner inquests and media articles to identify issues requiring regulatory consideration by the NMC.

You will be responsible for the assessment of allegations of impairment of fitness to practise as received by the NMC in the most serious and complex cases. As well as initial assessment, you will responsible for advising on risk, evidence and the need for an interim order. You will also be responsible for the initial case progression of high profile, complex, multi registrant matters and, on occasion, investigation of a caseload of these matters against NMC registrants.

You will also act as a point of contact for key stakeholder engagement both internal and external to the NMC on this area of work as directed. You will be required to support the senior investigation lawyer in the progression of their cases and enquiries and liaise regularly with external investigators and the Head of Department.

Key accountabilities

 Hold and manage a case load of high profile and complex fitness to practise referrals. Review and analyse information related to these referrals with a view to providing final advice on case progression.

 Review and analyse complex and detailed material and reports to identify relevant issues for regulatory consideration.

 Provision of advice to case officers, investigators and case managers on risk assessment, evidence to be obtained, principles of disclosure and the need for an interim order.

 Review and analyse initial referrals on high profile cases, drafting clear and accurate case summaries and preliminary investigation plans.

Fitness to Practise April 2015 Page 1 of 6  Liaise with NMC staff in all directorates to ensure the progression of FtP cases.

 Final draft of case documentation and decision making, in relation to:

o investigation plans o investigation reports o case chronologies o witness statements and conduct of investigations, including witness handling in complex and sensitive cases

 Support senior lawyers and investigation lawyers as and when required with their caseload and preparation of cases for interim order and substantive hearings

 Support the investigations department as and when required with the preparation of cases to the High Court and Court of Appeal, including:

o drafting court documents o preparing bundles o drafting witness statements o undertaking research, and o any other necessary steps required

 Act as a subject expert in high profile matters within investigations and respond promptly to requests for information from senior NMC staff.

 Communication with senior external stakeholders, including negotiations in relation to disclosure and case progression.

 Advise case officers, investigators, case managers and the Head of Department on case closures.

 To monitor and oversee cases which generate media or political interest and to liaise with relevant departments when further action is required.

 To attend and participate in internal meetings, to provide information and updates on the status of high profile cases being managed by the team.

 Establish and maintain data and enable data analysis of matters undertaken by the team.

 To deliver internal and external presentations when required.

 To carry out all tasks to a high standard, efficiently, effectively and within required timescales.

Fitness to Practise April 2015 Page 2 of 6  To provide support to the Head of Department and the wider organisation with ad hoc requests.

 Provide assistance to members of the wider Case Preparation and Presentation team with active cases and by presenting interim order hearings, where required.

Standards and training

 Assist with ensuring continued improvement and establishment of best practice for the advancement of the team and business unit.

 Participate in the delivery of in-house training.

 Keep up to date with developments in regulatory law.

Customer service standards and communication

 Deliver a high quality service to all customers, both internal and external.

 To ensure a high standard of all written and oral communication with external stakeholders.

 Liaise regularly and proactively with other members of the FtP directorate.

 Draft standard and non-standard correspondence.

Other responsibilities

There are a number of standard duties and responsibilities that all employees, irrespective of their role and level of seniority within the NMC, are expected to be familiar with and adhere to:

 To comply at all times with the requirements of Health and Safety Regulations to ensure their own wellbeing and that of their colleagues;

 To promote and comply with NMC policies on diversity and equality both in the delivery of services and treatment of others;

 To ensure confidentiality at all times, only releasing confidential information obtained during the course of employment to those acting in an official capacity in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Act and the document ‘Operational Guidance for the publication and disclosure of Fitness to Practise Information’;

 To comply with NMC protocols on the appropriate use of telephone, email and internet facilities;

 To comply with the principles of risk management in relation to individual and corporate responsibilities;

Fitness to Practise April 2015 Page 3 of 6  To comply with NMC policies and procedures as compiled on the organisation’s intranet;

 This job description is not exhaustive and as such, the post holder will be expected to be flexible, and any changes will only be made following a discussion with the post holder.

Fitness to Practise April 2015 Page 4 of 6 Person specification

Job title: Senior Investigations Paralegal

Qualifications and experience

 Educated to degree level or equivalent

 Demonstrable experience of managing complex and high profile matters, preferably in either criminal or regulatory law

 Experience of casework: assessing evidence, reviewing reports, report writing

 Expertise in understanding the data protection considerations that might apply when handling complex cases

 Experience of working in a politically sensitive environment working with confidential material

 Experience of working in a pressurised environment and to tight deadlines

 Well-developed analytical skills

 Track record of managing own workload

 Experience of working with a wide range of external partners

Skills, knowledge and abilities

 An understanding of the professional regulation framework and fitness to practise issues

 Knowledge of health regulation

 Excellent time management and organisational skills with the ability to achieve results

 Excellent oral, written and presentation skills

 Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to develop a rapport and obtain client confidence

 Ability to prepare and draft legal documents, detailed letters and reports

 Ability to work to targets and tight deadlines

 Excellent IT skills

 Legal research and analytical skills

Fitness to Practise April 2015 Page 5 of 6 Personal qualities

 A highly-motivated and flexible self- starter able to work independently and as part of team

 Well-organised and able to problem solve

 Demonstrates a high level of integrity, patience, resilience, confidence and professionalism in dealing with pressured, unpredictable and sensitive situations and, at times, differing points of view.

 A commitment to and understanding of the importance of equality and diversity within the environment that the NMC operates

 Able to travel and work out of office hours as required

Fitness to Practise April 2015 Page 6 of 6