Shelter

Paralegal

£25,159 pa (pro rata, 30 hours a week) + excellent benefits including flexible working

Fixed term contract until April 2023

Blackburn, Central Library, Lancashire

Closing date: 26th September 2022 at 11.30pm.

We’re looking for a results-driven, commercially aware individual with a good understanding of litigation work to join our team as a Paralegal.

About Shelter
A home is a fundamental human need, as essential as education or healthcare. Yet millions of people across Britain struggle on a daily basis with homelessness, bad housing conditions, soaring rents, discrimination and the threat of eviction. So, we are striving for change, with individuals, in communities, across society, and leading the way to a safe home. We need ambitious, best-in-class individuals who are passionate about our cause to join us at this exciting time. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.

At Shelter we are united by our purpose to defend the right to a safe home. Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. We believe that to win that fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement for change. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, fair, equitable and transparent.

We have committed to combat racism both within and outside Shelter and welcome you on our journey to becoming a truly anti-racist organisation.

About the Role

A great chance to help us ensure we provide our clients with a full service, you’ll assist our solicitors to maintain an active caseload to enable homeless people, as well as those with housing and related problems, to enforce their rights. Taking instructions and witness statements, drafting letters, making applications, providing court representation – you’ll do all of this. And when it comes to making sure time recording and income targets are met, again we’ll count on you to deliver.

We are happy to talk about flexible working, personal growth, and to promote a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.

About you

You’ll need an intellectual aptitude and excellent critical reasoning skills, not to mention the ability to provide a good standard of professional service and client care. Proactive, results-driven and commercially aware, you enjoy collaborating as part of a team, respond quickly and positively to change and are not afraid to challenge the status quo and introduce new ideas when appropriate. What’s more, you’re a great listener – someone who, having taken the facts into account, is able to communicate their thoughts clearly both in writing and face-to-face. Proficiency using case management systems and Microsoft Office applications is also essential, with good typing skills preferred.

Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave (pro rata), enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.

Shelter helps millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness through our advice, support and legal services. And we campaign to make sure that, one day, no one will have to turn to us for help. We’re here so no one has to fight bad housing or homelessness on their own.

To find out more about the role and the benefits of working for Shelter please visit our website. Apply to be part of our team and be the change you want to see in society.

Safeguarding is everyone’s business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.

Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.

Lawstop – Housing Solicitor – Nationwide

Lawstop seeks a dedicated and talented Housing Solicitor to join our dynamic legal aid practice. We require a self-motivated individual with excellent communication and written skills. You will be highly organised, able to manage a varied workload and work well under pressure. Patience and tact are necessary as you will be assisting vulnerable people whose welfare is our priority. Sound knowledge of legal aid funding is required.

As a solicitor joining our friendly and expanding team, we will provide support and on-going training; however, you must have enough experience to hit the ground running.

We are a versatile and adaptive practice with a unique approach to the delivery of legal services, and we work hard to achieve the best results for our clients.

Salary is negotiable

Please contact Mary Bennett to discuss the role and/or to provide covering letter and CV – maryb@lawstop.co.uk.

Lawstop is committed to equal opportunities and embraces diversity of its staff. The firm strives to ensure that our staff reflects the diversity of the communities we serve.

Mary Ward Legal Centre