Your New Company
Our client is a leading organisation that supports people affected by crime in NI. They’re recruiting for a lawyer (Solicitor or Barrister) to join their team on a new project scheme to provide publicly funded independent legal advice and advocacy to child complainants in serious sexual offence cases.
Duration: Fixed Term Contract 30th November 2025 - with possibility of extension, subject to funding.
Salary: £39,553 FTE per annum
Your New Role
The main purpose of the role is to prepare and provide informed legal advice to child complainants in serious sexual offence cases as they navigate the criminal justice system, in a way that is accessible and age appropriate to children and young people aged under 18.
The post-holder will manage a caseload and provide direct service to clients and their families from the point that an offence is reported throughout the process up to the commencement of the trial. They may also on occasion provide advice to victims who are considering reporting a crime.
While it is important to emphasise that this role will be based within the organisation, it is also very important that applicants appreciate that this is a legal appointment requiring highly relevant experience.
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare and provide relevant legal advice, information, and their role and entitlements to child complainants in serious sexual offence cases, pre-report or from the point of referral following the report of a relevant offence, in a way that is accessible and age appropriate to Children and Young People (CYP), their parents and guardians.
- Prepare and provide case-specific legal advice, as required, on disclosure of evidence where personal information would engage a CYP complainant’s ECHR Article 8 rights and on the introduction of previous sexual history.
- Represent and communicate the interests and views of CYP complainants to PPS in respect of issues relating to the disclosure of evidence engaging Article 8 rights or where the CYP complainant wishes to object to the introduction of their previous sexual history.
- Subject to the necessary management direction, prepare instructions to seek Counsel advice where that is considered appropriate and in the public interest in individual cases.
- Support the empowerment of CYP victims in a trauma-informed way, by delivering an adaptable and flexible service with a clear child-centred focus. Ensure that the CYP victim’s voice is heard and taken account of and that their views are represented to PPS or other parties, so they may be taken account of, as appropriate.
- Demonstrable awareness of the entitlements of CYP within the victim charter and working with the ChISVA in ensuring the CYP victim is aware of and understand their entitlements.
- Where appropriate, liaise with PSNI, PPS and the Victim and Witness Care Unit (VWCU) regarding any on-going complaint, in order to track progress through the criminal justice system.
- Occasionally, and where appropriate, observe or attend pre-trial hearings.
- Provide advice to parents and designated appropriate adults, helping them to help their CYP understand the criminal justice process.
- Ensure that at all stages of the CYP complainant’s engagement, services are undertaken in a victim led, trauma informed manner with the needs of the CYP placed at the centre of all actions and decisions.
- Ensure that all engagements are conducted in an appropriate manner according to the age and needs of the CYP, including directly to the CYP and in premises approved and accredited as appropriate for CYP support.
- Ensure that all support is undertaken in conjunction with the provisions of the Statutory Services and avoid, as far is ever possible, duplication of services.
- Prioritise, manage and monitor own caseload effectively within safe capacity limits, ensuring that each CYP victim receives a service appropriate to their individual needs, as agreed in conjunction with the CYP and their parent / appropriate adult and refer/signpost to other relevant support services as required.
- Ensure safeguarding is prioritised and timely referrals are made in line with local Safeguarding policy and procedures, including keeping any on-going Joint Operating Protocols appraised of changes to safety, risk and service engagement.
- Demonstrate a clear understanding of the myths and facts of sexual violence, domestic violence, rape trauma and the long-term mental health implications particularly on CYP.
- Undertake any other duties that fall within the nature of the role and its responsibilities.
- Contribute to effective information gathering and monitoring performance to facilitate operational and strategic development and evaluation of the pilot; record statistics in line with service provider and funder requirements (anonymised where appropriate)
- Engage with internal and external stakeholders, including the media to promote the experience of victims and effect positive change
- Maintain electronic case management records to a high standard ensuring they are accurate, completed in a timely fashion and follow confidentiality policies and procedures.
- Comply with GDPR, data protection legislation, confidentiality and information sharing policy and procedures and legislation connected to the legal advisor role. Remain up to date and compliant with organisational procedures, policies and professional codes of conduct and uphold standards of best practice.
- Support the promotion of the service with statutory and voluntary partners to help improve the multi-agency response to victims of serious sexual offences.
- Travel to other Victim Support NI Office locations and outreach locations, where we provide support service will be expected.
- Full compliance with all financial, HR and other VSNI corporate responsibilities.
- Ensure that all Victim Support policies, particularly those relating to Confidentiality, Health & Safety and Equal Opportunities are applied consistently.
The above detail of main responsibilities is not intended to be an exhaustive listing and the post-holder may be expected to accept additional / amended responsibilities in line with the organisation’s needs. Such additions / amendments will be in line with the capabilities of the post-holder.
What you’ll Need To Succeed
Essential Criteria:
Qualifications and Experience
- University level degree, or equivalent, in law or another relevant subject.
And must;
- Be a qualified solicitor or barrister who holds a current NI practicing certificate OR be on the Roll of solicitors in NI and eligible to obtain a NI practicing certificate by the date of appointment.
- Be qualified to practice in Northern Ireland with a minimum of three years’ post-qualification experience gained within the last five years.
Knowledge and Skills:
- Have proven substantial experience of providing legal advice in a criminal law setting to children and young people with a range of age, comprehension and vulnerability.
- Have proven experience of managing large caseloads in respect of advice, review and advocacy, including challenging and sensitive cases.
- Have a demonstrable track record of exceptional client care; and
- Excellent verbal and listening skills and the ability to communicate well with a wide range of people from a wide range of diverse backgrounds, including children and young people.
- Demonstrable knowledge of the criminal justice system, court and police procedures and how these relate to sexual offences and in particular children and young people;
- Demonstrable understanding of safeguarding protocols and familiarisation with the roles of agencies and services involved in cases where child protection issues are raised and the associated legal responsibilities.
- Awareness of all investigation and protocols, and steps taken by relevant authorities when investigating allegations of child abuse.
- Experience of supporting victims and a commitment to anti-discriminatory practice.
- Current knowledge of the enhanced protection children and adolescents have under the criminal law in NI, specifically in relation to the ‘best interests of the child’ principle;
- Excellent written communication skills including report writing.
- Good crisis management skills and the ability to work effectively under pressure and to deadlines.
- Ability to manage own workload and prioritise tasks; and
- Experience of representing an organisation values and ethos with a range of key internal and external stakeholders.
Desirable Criteria:
In addition to the above essential criteria, the following additional desirable criteria may be used to shortlist applicants:
- Previous experience of providing legal advice in respect of serious sexual offence cases in Northern Ireland;
- Previous experience of providing legal advice in relation to Article 8 ECHR rights; and
- Experience of working with organisational information systems.
We reserve the right to enhance the criteria as deemed appropriate in the event of a large volume of applications.
Additional Requirements:
- The post holder will be required to demonstrate the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the post.
- The post holder will be required to undertake child Safeguarding training and regularly refresh on an ongoing basis, skills in communication with children and young people and being aware of their rights under the UNCRC etc.
What You'll Receive In Return
Duration: Fixed Term Contract 30th November 2025 - with possibility of extension, subject to funding.
Salary: £39,553 FTE per annum
Equal Opportunities:
Our client is an equal opportunities employer. They welcome applications from all suitably
Qualified persons. However, as Black and Minority ethnic groups, disabled people and
People from the LGBT community are currently under-represented within the organisation,
they would particularly welcome applications from the above-mentioned communities and
backgrounds. All appointments will be made on merit.
Applying For Your New Role
Does this position sound of interest? Please submit your CV confidentially and we will be in
touch shortly to discuss the opportunity in further detail. Or, if you prefer to chat about the
role confidentially before submitting a CV, please get in touch via the contact details
provided.