Court Duty Scheme Housing Law Caseworker (Cardiff, Vale and Valleys)

Shelter Cymru is funded by the Legal Aid Agency to deliver the Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service (HLPAS), which has two components: the In-Court Duty Scheme (ICDS) and Early Legal Advice (ELA). This role will primarily deliver the In-Court Duty Scheme by operating the duty desk at various county courts in the Cardiff, Vale and the Valleys region, and also provide ongoing advice and casework arising from the ICDS sessions. The postholder will also contribute to the promotion of housing policy initiatives and best practice, working in a constructive and collaborative way with other services, including local authorities and housing associations when it is in the best interest of our users.

Key responsibilities – Casework

• Provide on-the-day advice at court to people facing housing possession proceedings.
• Review possession claim papers and take instructions from clients in order to identify and advise clients on potential defences.
• Liaise with landlord and mortgage lenders representatives on the day of the hearing to gather relevant information and, where possible, reach agreements or negotiate terms that will benefit the defendant.
• Provide ongoing housing advice and casework to people following their possession hearing, for example, where proceedings are adjourned or follow-up work is required.
• Identify all cases that qualify for legal aid and ensure that the necessary procedures are followed and recording systems maintained.
• Make appropriate referrals to Shelter Cymru’s Legal Team where ongoing Legal Representation is required.
• Ensure that all casework records are kept up-to-date, accessible to other staff, and that all local casework information systems are maintained effectively.
• Actively participate in file review meetings and all other evaluation structures designed to maintain and improve the quality and standards of casework provision.

Key responsibilities – Policy, campaigning and training

• Identify opportunities to effect positive change to housing policy in Wales and pursue such opportunities in liaison with the line manager and other staff.
• Engage positively and constructively with other services, including local authorities and housing associations, where it is in the best interest of our users and maintain good local relationships in line with agreed partnership protocols.
• Assist in the development and implementation of strategies to promote the housing rights service to other agencies and potential funders.
• Assist in the development of team work-plans, within the overall planning procedure, and be responsible for individual performance against agreed team objectives.
• Participate in policy meetings and ensure that work in progress is communicated to other relevant staff.
• Participate in policy conferences, seminars and events and respond to requests for information from the media in consultation with the line manager and other relevant staff.
• Make a contribution to the public training programme and undertake speaking engagements with outside groups as agreed with the line manager.
• Identify opportunities to effect positive change to housing policy in Wales and pursue such opportunities in liaison with the line manager and other staff.

Organisational responsibilities

• Represent Shelter Cymru in a professional manner and in a manner consistent with its values at all times.
• Ensure all activities comply with appropriate legal requirements and with Shelter Cymru policies and procedures.
• Adapt to the charity’s guidelines for hybrid working.
• Promote and safeguard the welfare of children or adults at risk encountered through the role, ensuring any safeguarding concerns are addressed through the Charity’s Safeguarding Policy.
• Comply with the charity’s health and safety policies and procedures.
• Ensure, in the course of employment, complete confidentiality is maintained in respect of the charity, its dealings, transactions, affairs and all other information relating to clients, participants, associates, staff and other subsidiaries.
• Demonstrate a commitment to the aims and objectives of Shelter Cymru and the implementation of its Diversity Policy and Welsh Language Scheme in the workplace.
• Keep up to date with developments within Shelter Cymru that influence the day-to-day activities within the role, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and any other relevant internal/external factor(s).
• Recognise that the duties and responsibilities may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the duties or level of responsibilities entailed.
• Operate as part of "One Shelter Cymru" and support colleagues flexibly when needed to meet the charity’s aims.
• The post will be subject to a performance review, incorporating a review of the above duties and performance over the period.
• Because the post may involve working with vulnerable people, a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Scheme check will be required.