Caseworker - Birmingham - Legal Aid Agency

Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working

Location: Birmingham

Salary range (depending on location): National - £25,582

If you are applying for a part time role, please note that in order to meet business demands we need cover for a minimum of 28 hours and to cover 4 days of the week, your working days must include Friday.

The Legal Aid Agency (LAA) helps eligible people meet the costs of legal advice, family mediation and representation in a court or tribunal in England and Wales. Our people are at the heart of achieving excellence. We have some of the best People Survey results in the Civil Service and are proud of our supportive, inclusive culture.

We’ll invest in you by providing structured training and development opportunities. This is a great chance to start your career with the LAA and we offer real opportunities to progress and develop your career, either with us or the wider Civil Service if you choose.

The Case Management team is responsible for handling legal aid applications, processing case payments and dealing with correspondence and enquiries received in both Civil and Criminal Legal aid matters. Our dedicated staff ensure that 600,000 new clients access justice each year, while ensuring that legal aid lawyers are paid fairly.

Our Administration Officers (AO) are responsible for processing applications for legal aid and assessing claims for payments in accordance with regulations and guidance. Working as part of a team, you'll manage your own time while helping to achieve operational, performance and service standards within your work area.

The role can include the following:

• Making accurate decisions on applications to determine eligibility based on the merits of the case and financial eligibility of the client.
• Making accurate decisions on claims for payments submitted by Solicitors and Barristers to ensure the correct spending of public funds.
• Dealing effectively and professionally with enquiries from customers both in writing and verbally.
• Regular interaction with Solicitors, legal aid clients and colleagues across the LAA and MoJ.
• Achieving performance and quality targets in your work.
• Ensuring information and data is recorded accurately on case management systems and that case records are up to date.

Being an AO caseworker within the LAA is an interesting and varied role, where you can make a real difference.

Essential Knowledge, Experience and skills:

• Ability to make decisions using evidence/information.
• Experience of working in a team.
• Ability to work to deadlines or targets.
• Ability to use computers and Microsoft 365.
• Ability to communicate effectively using written and verbal skills.

No prior experience is required, as full training will be provided. However, we are looking for someone who:

• Works well both independently and as part of a team.
• Enjoys being part of a fast-paced and rewarding work environment.
• Brings a positive, can-do attitude and a genuine enthusiasm for learning.

As a Disability Confident organisation, we will offer a guaranteed interview to candidates with a disability who meet the essential criteria for this role.

The LAA’s goal is to build an organisation that is open and inclusive and truly values and celebrates the diversity of its workforce.

We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible to all. If you have a disability or long-term condition and need us to make any reasonable adjustments to support you through the recruitment process, please let us know.

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.

Benefits include:

• Annual Leave: 25 days on appointment, increasing to 30 days after five years’ service.
• Pension: The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes.
• Training: Extensive range of training and development opportunities.
• Support: A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies.