Over 18,000 people a year come to us for help. At Shelter Cymru, our people are our most important asset.
We’re looking for a passionate individual to join our Legal Team.
This is a rewarding role working for an organisation that makes a real difference to
peoples’ lives.
Vacancy Information Pack
Post No SC424 - Solicitor
Croeso… …Welcome
Dear Candidate,
It is my pleasure to extend a warm, Welsh welcome to you as you think about joining our organisation.
Shelter Cymru is an independent Welsh charity (i.e. not part of Shelter England/ Scotland); founded on the belief that everyone in Wales has the right to a decent, secure home. Since 1981, Shelter Cymru has helped more than half a million people fight for their rights, get back on their feet and find and keep a home. We also tackle the root causes of homelessness by campaigning for new laws, policies and solutions.
Homelessness can happen to anyone. No one should face it alone.
Last year, Shelter Cymru helped over 18,000 people who were struggling with bad housing or homelessness through free, independent, expert housing and legal advice on the phone, online and face to face.
At Shelter Cymru, we face a very real challenge; we need to raise more money if we are to help everyone in Wales that needs us – both now and in the future. We need to develop more services to support more people and we also want more people to support us through campaigning, volunteering and donating.
Everyone in Shelter Cymru, whatever they do, contributes to these aims.
And you too can make a difference.
If you feel passionate about helping us to end homelessness in Wales and have the skills we’re looking for, we’d love to hear from you.
Thank you for your interest in this role.
With best wishes,
John Puzey
Director
If this vacancy is not for you, why not join us as a volunteer? Find out about current opportunities and how to get involved by visiting
We’re making a difference. We’re changing lives. More people need our help.
Job Description
Job Title:Solicitor
Reports to:Senior Solicitor
Salary:£29,948 per annum (pro rata)
Location:Wrexham, Rhyl or Felinheli office
Hours:17.5 hours
Post No:SC424
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Background to our organisation
Shelter Cymru is the people and homes charity in Wales and works for the prevention of homelessness, the improvement of housing conditions, and the right of everyone to a safe, suitable and affordable home.
We understand the damage that bad housing causes. Every day we deal with the effect it has on people's lives.
Shelter Cymru’s 2020 Vision
Shelter Cymru has an ambitious vision that by 2020 the organisation will:
- Be able to help 50% more people each year and offer increased access to its services through a wide range of channels
- Have established a mass movement of passion and influence
- Have become more financially independent through a substantial growth in fundraising
- Be a more enterprising organisation, innovative, competitive and quick to grasp opportunities.
Background to the post
The delivery and development of a National Housing Advice network is one of the primary means by which Shelter Cymru fulfils its aims and objectives of preventing homelessness and improving bad housing conditions.
The Solicitor post is part of Shelter Cymru’s legal team and will be expected to provide a range of legal services and support for Shelter Cymru staff including litigation and consultancy work. The Legal Services team provides specialist legal advice on all areas of housing law to Shelter Cymru’s network of housing advice services, specific areas of work include:
Representation/Test cases
The Team enables homeless people or those with housing problems to enforce their rights, this involves carrying out representation on behalf of individual clients, through certificated work and taking on test cases which impact on the work of the housing advice service and projects.
Emphasis will be on undertaking direct casework under a Legal Aid certificate, with a particular focus on work from North Wales. Shelter Cymru has a national team of housing law caseworkers who will refer cases to the Legal team that are picked up as ’Legal Help’ or at court duty sessions and the legal team will progress these cases under a certificate.
Information
The Team provides up-to-date information on changes in legislation and case law by writing articles for Shelter Cymru and other publications.
Policy, Campaigns & Training
The Team works with other parts of Shelter Cymru to advise Shelter Cymru’s policy and campaigns work of relevant legal changes and their implications, as well as delivering internal and external training courses on all aspects of housing law.
Key responsibilities
1.0Main duties
1.1Maintain an active caseload, including litigation, which enables homeless people or those with housing problems to enforce their existing rights. This involves litigation, including where appropriate judicial review and emergency applications, under a legal aid certificate.
1.2Ensure that Legal Aid certificated income targets are maximised through clear guidance to caseworkers and promotion of services to outside agencies.
1.3Provide flexible cover across the legal services team
1.4Provide casework support to Shelter Cymru’s network of housing advice services and projects, by answering legal enquiries on housing law, the legal process, tactics and other relevant areas of law.
1.5Attend agreed regional adviser meetings to provide legal updates, training and briefing sessions
1.6Contribute to the maintenance and updating of the LAA office manual.
1.7Work with the other solicitors and senior solicitor to ensure that work you undertake complies with the Legal Aid Agency’s contract, the Specialist Level Quality Mark, Solicitor’s Regulatory Authority and the Law Society's Practice Rules.
1.8Ensure that the necessary procedures are followed and recording systems maintained, including using Shelter Cymru’s case management system and information regarding certificated income, work-in-progress levels, disbursements and billing.
1.9Keep informed and up-to-date of changes in legislation, case law and other relevant areas of law and regulation
1.10Identify opportunities to effect positive change to housing policy in Wales and pursue such opportunities in liaison with the senior solicitor and other staff.
1.11Participate in agreed policy conferences, seminars and events and to respond to requests for information from the media in consultation with your line manager and other relevant staff.
1.12Make a contribution to the public training programme and to undertake speaking engagements with outside groups as agreed with the line manager.
2.0General
2.1Participate as and when required in meetings and one-to-one meetings, and undertake, as appropriate, courses/training/other developmental activities, which is relevant to the role.
2.2Ensure, 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 etc.
2.3Keep 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).
2.4Ensure all activities comply with appropriate legal requirements and with Shelter Cymru policies and procedures.
2.5Demonstrate a commitment to the aims and objectives of Shelter Cymru and the implementation of its Diversity Policy and Welsh Language Scheme in the workplace.
2.6To support the work of volunteers and other placements as requested.
In addition to the above duties and responsibilities, the postholder must be prepared to undertake such additional duties which may result from changing circumstances, but which may not of necessity change the general character or level of responsibility to the post.
You will be subject to a performance review which will incorporate a review of the above duties and performance over the period.
As the post may involve working with vulnerable people, your employment will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Scheme check.
Job Specification – Solicitor
Knowledge, Skills and Experience / Essential / DesirableLaw Society finals or Legal Practice Course and a minimum of 1 year practicing certificate. /
Meets LAA Housing Supervisor criteria already OR if not able to meet the Housing Supervisor criteria agrees to work towards it over a set period of time once in the role. /
Experience of handling a range of legal cases (including litigation) /
Experience of handling a range of housing cases (both public and private sector) including litigation, on issues such as homelessness, security of tenure, anti-social behaviour and possession proceedings. /
Ability to meet all professional and financial requirements, including those of the Law Society and the Legal Aid Agency. /
Able to communicate clearly, concisely and persuasively both orally and in writing with a variety of audiences /
Able to exercise judgement in identifying and assessing a range of complicated legal cases where a range of options, and the implications of each of these, have to be considered. /
Knowledge of housing policy / current housing and legal issues in Wales. /
Experience and appreciation of the procedures required to establish and maintain systems for the LAA Specialist Quality Mark standard and / or Lexcel /
Able to work towards specified income targets and to record and monitor relevant information to assist with performance management. /
Understands dynamics of working within a team setting. /
Confident in use of word, excel, email, internet and able to maintain and input data accurately. /
Able to speak Welsh fluently /
Full driving licence and access to a vehicle. /
Works flexibly which will include travelling to other locations/surgeries in an acceptably time-efficient manner, and on occasion, working outside usual office hours. /
Core competencies
Listed below are Shelter Cymru’s core competencies. Each competency provides a list ofpositive behavioural indicators which we believe best describe what good performance looks like.
1.Leadership and Integrity
This is about being able to motivate teams and colleagues, having a clear vision for the team and acting fairly and responsibly in all circumstances. Also, where there is no formal leadership role, taking the lead on certain projects or initiatives.
2Motivation and initiative
We believe that staff should make as many decisions as possible within their remit and concerning their roles and responsibilities without having to refer to managers.
3.Working co-operatively
Being able to work effectively with other team members and with other teams is essential in getting work done effectively.
4.Reliability
This is not only about being punctual and carrying through agreed actions to a conclusion, it is also about being able to perform the job with the minimum of supervision.
5.Change and adaptability
We want staff to be open minded about new ideas and methods of working. We want staff to be pro-active in improving their skills and knowledge in line with new developments and opportunities. We also want staff to contribute to ideas and innovations.
6.Respect
We expect staff to reflect the key organisation attribute of respect, which is both towards other colleagues, and users of the organisation.
7.Problem solving
We expect staff not to simply identify problems but to help solve them.
8.Budget and cost aware
Whatever staff do they must consider whether it is value for money. In addition staff should be aware of team and organisational budgets and adhere to financial rules and procedures.
9.Administration
Staff are expected to complete their own personal administration requirements on time and accurately. Also, when required, to provide timely information for team or project reports.
Other Conditions
Salary / £29,948 per annum (pro rata)Contract type / Permanent (subject to continued funding)
Hours / Normal office hours are 9.30 am to 5.30 pm, Monday to Friday, although alternative hours may be worked with line manager agreement. Work outside office hours may sometimes be necessary and will be compensated for by time off in lieu.
Annual leave / 29 days plus 2 concessionary days at Christmas and New Year (excluding statutory and national holidays).
Annual leave and statutory holidays are calculated on a pro rata basis where applicable.
Pension / Shelter Cymru operates a contributory pension scheme. Shelter Cymru will contribute an amount equivalent to 4% of gross salary upon 4% from the member of staff, into our Group Stakeholder pension scheme.
If you wish to join this scheme, it can come into force once you begin working Shelter Cymru and can continue for the duration of the contract.
Mileage / A fixed rate allowance is payable for agreed mileage undertaken on Shelter Cymru business in a private vehicle, over and above your usual journey to your workplace/s.
Please return your completed application by email to
or by post to:
Human Resources
Shelter Cymru
PO Box 5002
CARDIFF
CF5 3YY
An application form and guidelines can be found online on our Vacancies page
Registered Charity Number: 515902
Closing date for applications: Thursday 1st March 2018 at 10.00am
Interview date: Monday 12th March 2018 (to be held in Wrexham)