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General Information

Salary
£28,312 - £30,011
Working Pattern
Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working
Vacancy Approach
Cross Government
Location
Birmingham
Region
West Midlands
Closing Date
29-Apr-2025
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
EO
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
4996

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Case Management

The Legal Aid Agency (LAA) is responsible for making sure legal aid services from solicitors, barristers and the not-for-profit sector are available to the general public. Our work to administer legal aid is essential to the fair, efficient and effective operation of the criminal justice systems and we work closely with legal providers and the wider Ministry of Justice (MoJ) to achieve our purpose. This commitment is at the heart of our day-to-day decision making and our work to improve legal aid services. The engagement and commitment of our staff is crucial to achieving our purpose. Together we show openness, honesty and commitment, and, of course, to deliver results.  

The Case Management department is the delivery function of the Legal Aid Agency and our staff ensure that each year 600,000 new clients are able to access the justice they require, and that their providers are fairly remunerated for the delivery of the legal aid. With over 800 staff based across 11 sites we deliver services for those facing both criminal and civil legal problems.


Crime case management is responsible for the processing applications and claims for costs for legal aid and their associated items of work.  

 Job Summary

The role holder will primarily support the Team Manager in the effective supervision of the team, including work allocation, collation and analysis of performance statistics, people management and development of team members on a daily basis.

Key Responsibilities:

·       Plan and allocate team resources to meet key performance indicators and targets, including quality and productivity. Collate and analyse data to inform decisions, reporting to the Team Manager, escalating issues as they emerge and helping to identify and implement effective solutions. 

·       Support team members to achieve their potential, including conducting 1-2-1 meetings, touch point meetings, absence review meetings, mentoring, coaching, setting objectives and developing training plans

·       Tackle problems with performance, understanding the causes and supporting staff to overcome these. Effectively manage both team and individual performance, addressing any issues as they arise in line with the HR policies.

·       Be aware of risks inherent in internal processes, including Health and Safety and Information Awareness. Ensure risks are logged, relevant managers made aware and appropriate action taken.

·       Support team engagement and communication, delivering team briefings and cascading messages. Take a leading role in team meetings, encouraging the sharing of views, ideas, and solutions. 

·       Take part in the recruitment and selection of staff: short listing, interview panels, deliver new starter inductions


If there is capacity, the post holder may also undertake some caseworker tasks and deal with escalated/complex communications.

 
Essential Knowledge, Experience and skills
  • Comprehensive knowledge of the Crime Application workstreams and processes. 
  • Effective communication skills both written and verbal
  • Effective analytical and numerical skills with proven ability to solve problems and make decisions
  • Effective interpersonal skills
  •  Ability to feedback to others constructively
  • Established knowledge of Microsoft office
Desirable Knowledge, Experience and skills
  • Experience of Coaching and Mentoring.
  • Knowledge of key priorities for organisation and how these relate to and impact on specific business unit and across Case Management as a whole.
  • Knowledge of information assurance
  • Health & Safety Awareness
Person Specification
  • The role holder is someone who enjoys leading a team working in a fast-changing environment
Assessment approach

Application Process

To apply please provide a statement of suitability showing how you meet the essential criteria in no more than 750 words. 

Your statement should demonstrate your ability to do all of the essential criteria listed, using examples can help strengthen your application. 

Please note we do not require a CV. 

Interview / assessment Process

If you are successful through the application stage, you will be invited to an interview / assessment centre in person or via Microsoft Teams where you will be assessed against strengths and experience required by the role and some or all of the following behaviours:

Delivering at Pace

  • regularly review the success of activities in the team to identify barriers to progress or challenging objectives
  • identify who and what is required to ensure success, set clear goals and areas of responsibility and continually assess workloads considering individual needs
  • follow relevant policies, procedures and legislation to complete your work
  • ensure colleagues have the correct tools and resources available to them to do their jobs
  • have a positive and focused attitude to achieving outcomes, despite any setbacks
  • regularly check performance against objectives, making suggestions for improvement or taking corrective action where necessary
  • ensure that colleagues are supported where tasks are challenging

Developing Self & Others

  • identify gaps in own and team’s skills and knowledge
  • set and consistently meet development objectives
  • seek learning opportunities
  • support the development plans of all colleagues, recognising how diversity of experience/background can help to build an inclusive team culture
  • consider the contributions of all team members and delegate work to aid the learning and development of all
  • encourage and listen to developmental feedback from colleagues

Leadership – Lead Behaviour

  • show pride and passion for your work and positive, inclusive engagement with your team
  • understand your areas of responsibility and display awareness of the wider impact of your actions
  • proactively role model and promote an inclusive workplace, promptly dealing with inappropriate language and behaviours when they arise - including any instances of discrimination or misconduct
  • give praise and credit to colleagues and stakeholders where appropriate

Making Effective Decisions

  • take responsibility for making effective and fair decisions, in a timely manner
  • analyse and research further information to support decisions
  • talk to relevant people to get advice and information when unsure how to proceed
  • explain how decisions have been reached in a clear and concise way, both verbally and in writing
  • demonstrate the consideration of all options, costs, risks and wider implications, including the diverse needs of end users and any accessibility requirements

Your Experience of implementing, promoting, or understanding diversity and inclusion policy - Diversity is the presence of difference, this can include one or more of the protected characteristics (Gender, Age, Race, Disability etc.) or it can be about working patterns, whether we like to jump into a task or reflect on it before acting. Inclusion is how we welcome, value, and celebrate diversity, giving everyone a voice, tapping into ideas, and enabling everyone to be themselves at work and achieve their potential.

For this grade/ role we would expect the candidate to demonstrate understanding of the terms Diversity and Inclusion and be able to explain why they are important to them and to where they work. Examples of action they have taken (in or outside of work) to embrace diversity (e.g., increasing understanding) or improve inclusion for others will increase the strength of their answer.

Shortlisting is planned for week commencing 5th May 2025

Interviews are planned for week commencing 26th May 2025

If you would like more information on this opportunity, please contact – Nadeem, Safina | She/Hers Safina.Nadeem@justice.gov.uk

Complaints procedure

If you have any complaints about this recruitment activity, please share your concerns by emailing LAARecruitment@justice.gov.uk initially. We aim to respond to any complaint within 10 working days.

 

Additional Information

Working Arrangements & Further Information

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.

Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

For nationally advertised roles: All successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale.  This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation, a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO) – See Map. All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity). 

For current MoJ employees, your base location will need to be changed to the nearest viable office (to your home postcode), either at a HQ building, JCC or JSO within the National Office Network and moved its location’s respective pay scale (any legacy arrangements/locations will need to be amended).

Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer.

All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet.

Flexible working hours 

The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ’s Flexible Working policy.

Benefits 

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

Annual Leave

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.

There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.

Pension 

The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Training 

The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Networks 

The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.

Eligibility

Staff on fixed term appointments must have been recruited through fair and open competition.

Vacancies advertised “cross-government” are only open to all Civil Service employees and employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) who were appointed on merit following a fair and open competition; or were appointed to a permanent post through an exception in the Civil Service Commissioners' rules.

Support

  • A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
  • Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
  • For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www.www.GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
  • Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
  • Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team.

For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos.

Diversity & Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.

MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

Civil Service Nationality Rules

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

Reserve list

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.

Contact Information

MoJ:

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference 4996

HMPPS

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference

Application form stage assessments

Experience
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
Experience Questions, Statement of Suitability
Experience Questions Application Form Question Word Limit
250
Evidence of Experience
Experience Questions, Statement of Suitability

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
Interviews are planned for week commencing 26th May 2025
Behaviours
Leadership
Developing Self and Others
Delivering at Pace
Making Effective Decisions
Experience
Your Experience for this role will be assessed at interview. To learn more about Experience and how they are assessed please click here.
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
Experience Questions
Strengths
Strengths will be assessed but these are not shared in advance. To learn more about Strengths and how they are assessed please click here.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)
You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application, including your CV, statement of suitability and behaviour examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Please note that plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.
Level of security checks required
Baseline Personnal Security Standard (BPSS)