At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape and expand legal services in community care and social justice.
- Company: Values-driven organisation focused on high-quality legal aid and systemic change.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, supportive environment, and leadership development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team committed to social justice and innovative legal solutions.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on marginalised communities while advancing your legal career.
- Qualifications: Minimum 4 years as a solicitor with experience in legal aid and supervision.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Release is seeking to appoint a Supervising Solicitor for Community Care— with genuine flexibility for part‑time or full‑time working — to help shape and expand our legal services at the intersection of social justice and community care law. This role is particularly well‑suited to candidates seeking reduced hours, portfolio careers, or a position that allows for balance alongside caring responsibilities, or other commitments. The successful candidate will join a values‑driven organisation delivering high‑quality casework, innovative community‑based legal services, and strategic litigation aimed at systemic change.
Person Specification
- Essential Minimum 4 years post qualified solicitor with a current practising certificate.
- Minimum 3 years substantial experience in legal aid casework, supervision and/or compliance.
- Minimum 1 year experience of supervising others.
- Experience in public law, housing law, and/or community care law within legal aid practice.
- Strong commitment to social justice, harm reduction, and trauma-informed practice.
- Approved legal aid supervisor with the Legal Aid Agency.
- Desirable
- Experience working in a charity or non-profit organisation.
- Experience supporting or contributing to strategic litigation or test case work.
- Understanding of the impact of drug policy and criminalisation on marginalised communities.
- Experience in developing new services, partnerships, or funding-linked delivery models.
Important notice: For this job, Release will only consider applications from those who already have the right to live and work in the UK. See the Home Office Immigration & Nationality Directorate for information on the UK Government's immigration policy.
About the Role
The Supervising Solicitor for Community Care – Legal Aid is a key role in shaping and strengthening Release’s legal services. Working closely with the Joint Head of Legal Services and Executive Director, and in collaboration with other colleagues, you will supervise the delivery of high-quality legal advice and representation, supporting the growth of legal aid practice whilst ensuring Release continues to train and develop social justice lawyers for the future. We are looking for an experienced legal aid practitioner who is strongly committed to social justice and the legal rights of marginalised communities, and who wants to build leadership experience in a movement-led organisation. The role will combine hands-on practice, leadership, supervision and compliance responsibilities.
Please note: We do not expect the postholder to generate legal aid income at a multiple of their salary. While we do aim to grow legal aid income across the team to an initial target of £15,000–£25,000 per annum, the focus of this role is on developing high‑quality legal aid practice and building sustainable income collectively, as part of a mixed‑income organisational model.
As Supervising Solicitor for Community Care – Legal Aid, you will:
- Support Strategic Development: Contribute to developing the direction and priorities of Release’s legal services, including expanding legal aid work and strengthening access to justice.
- Provide Practice Supervision: Support a multidisciplinary team of solicitors, legal advisers and volunteers to deliver excellent, trauma-informed legal support. Support and mentor team members on how to adhere to legal aid file compliance, time recording and CCMS applications.
- Ensure Quality and Compliance: Help ensure consistent regulatory compliance and quality assurance across legal casework, including legal aid requirements.
- Strengthen and Grow Services: Help develop and improve legal service delivery models, including responding to emerging needs and client priorities.
- Contribute to Systemic Change: Support Release’s wider mission by helping connect legal services with policy, research, and advocacy work.
This role is ideal for someone with legal aid expertise and management potential, who wants to take a meaningful step into leadership whilst continuing to centre client care, justice and harm reduction.
Supervising Solicitor for Community Care in London employer: Release - L.E.A.D.S
Contact Detail:
Release - L.E.A.D.S Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Supervising Solicitor for Community Care in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with folks in the legal aid community. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for social justice! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your commitment to community care law and how it aligns with their mission. Share your experiences and how they’ve shaped your approach to legal practice.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation thoroughly. Understand their values, recent projects, and challenges they face in the legal aid sector. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you’re genuinely interested in contributing to their goals.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We want to see your application and hear your story. Plus, applying directly can sometimes give you a better chance of standing out. So, get your CV ready and let’s make it happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Supervising Solicitor for Community Care in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience in community care law and legal aid. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission of social justice and supporting marginalised communities.
Showcase Your Supervision Skills: Since this role involves supervising others, don’t forget to mention your experience in mentoring or leading teams. We’re keen to know how you’ve supported colleagues in delivering high-quality legal services.
Demonstrate Your Commitment: We’re looking for candidates who are genuinely passionate about social justice. Use your application to share specific examples of how you’ve contributed to systemic change or supported vulnerable communities in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: To make sure your application gets the attention it deserves, apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it reaches the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Release - L.E.A.D.S
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on community care law, legal aid casework, and the specific challenges faced by marginalised communities. Familiarise yourself with Release’s mission and values, as well as their approach to social justice and trauma-informed practice.
✨Show Your Passion
During the interview, express your commitment to social justice and harm reduction. Share personal experiences or examples from your career that demonstrate your dedication to these principles, especially in relation to community care law.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions about how you would handle specific legal scenarios or supervise a team. Think of examples where you've successfully managed compliance or mentored others, and be ready to discuss your approach to developing high-quality legal services.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the role and the organisation. Inquire about their current projects, future goals, and how they measure success in their legal services. This shows your genuine interest and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.