Specialist housing first worker jobs in belfast

Legal Casework Manager (Helpline)

Are you aware of the significant health inequalities that people with a learning disability face in the UK and levels of avoidable deaths? Are you passionate about access to justice for the families of people with a learning disability who have died avoidably in acute healthcare settings?

We’re looking for a dedicated Legal Casework Manager (Helpline) to join our committed information and advice team covering England at Mencap on a full time (37.5 hours per week) fixed term contract for 2 years.

Here at Mencap we are a leading charity providing advice, support and opportunities to people with a learning disability across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The role will lead on supporting families to get answers about how their loved ones died and change across the healthcare system to prevent future deaths. 

The role is flexible in terms of location, which can include home working, using Mencap’s office bases, such as in London and Peterborough, and will include some national travel, for example to inquest hearings or to meet families when needed. 

About the Role

As Legal Casework Manager (Helpline), you’ll provide advice, support, and casework assistance to families facing complex legal issues, specifically relating to people with a learning disability who have died in avoidable circumstances across England, mainly within the healthcare system. Working within a small, supportive team, you’ll manage your own caseload, contribute to the body of knowledge about avoidable deaths and help empower families to understand and exercise their rights and get answers through the inquest and other investigations processes. 

Key Responsibilities

· Provide clear, accurate, and timely legal advice and casework support for families.

· Work closely with clients, many of whom will be distressed, ensuring a sensitive, trauma informed and professional approach

· Maintain up-to-date case records and comply with quality and regulatory standards

· Support strategic litigation and advocacy efforts where appropriate

· Liaise with other charities, coroners, legal professionals, and agencies to support families to get answers

· Work towards a world where people with a learning disability are no more at risk of death in hospitals, than any other person

· Manage a team of caseworkers working across different areas of advice.

About You

We’re looking for someone:

· Legally qualified in the UK or similar jurisdiction with at least 3 years post qualification, working in either clinical negligence, inquests or inquiries. Or similar number of years working as a senior case worker in an inquest/clinical negligence/inquiries advice role.

· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a non-judgemental and empathetic approach

· Ability to manage a varied workload, prioritise effectively, and work independently

· Ability to travel effectively to support families at inquests, and to attend meetings

· A clear understanding of the importance of professional boundaries and in maintaining their emotional wellbeing in distressing situations

· Strong management skills and ability to supervise, coach and mentor colleagues. 

· Experience of accurately recording client case records and use of CRM/client database system

What We Offer

· A meaningful role supporting families and delivering change in a values-driven organisation

· Supportive and collaborative team environment

· Professional supervision

· Flexible working arrangements

Please see attached the full job description for further information on the role.

 Closing date: Monday 18th August 2025

Interview date: Thursday 4th September 2025

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace. 

Benefits

Here at Mencap, we offer an impressive range of benefits designed to support and reward our employees to ensure that our teams feel valued and appreciated.

Our benefits package offers 32 days of paid holiday (including bank holidays, pro rata), along with a range of perks such as discounts at leading high-street retailers, access to health cash plans, interest-free loans, and many more exciting offerings.

For more details on what we have to offer, please see the attached document outlining all the fantastic benefits available to you as a member of our team!

About Mencap

Our vision is for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives. We're here to support people with a learning disability, their families and their carers. We fight for a kinder, fairer and more inclusive society for people with a learning disability to live in.

At Mencap, everyone works with people with a learning disability either providing support or advice, or alongside one another as colleagues. Belonging at Mencap is for everyone, every day, everywhere.

· Everyone is expected to treat people well and make Mencap an inclusive organisation.

· Every day we grow and learn. It’s okay to make mistakes but we learn from them and make changes

· Everywhere people will feel respected, valued, and safe to be themselves.

We have Belonging network groups that meet online and are open to all colleagues. The groups include people who identify as Black and Asian, LGBTQIA+, disabled or with a long- term health condition, women, parents and carers, and their allies. We want to encourage everyone to apply to work at Mencap and we offer a variety of different contract types and working patterns. We’re not looking for specific experience. It is your personality and values that will make you a great colleague. We will train and develop you to succeed in the role you’re applying for.