Legal Caseworker Officer
Rate of Pay: £16.35 per hour PAYE or £21.44 per hour Umbrella
Recruiter: Opus People Solutions, on behalf of our client
Location: Hybrid, onsite on Friday's is fixed.
Hours: 22.5 hours per week, 3 days per week, working days and hours are flexible.
Duration: Temporary basis, up to 12 months. Term time only.
About the Role
The Legal Casework Officer is responsible for preparing high‑quality legal files relating to irregular school attendance. The role ensures that cases are investigated thoroughly, accurately recorded, and progressed in line with statutory requirements. The postholder will liaise proactively with schools, parents/carers, and the Local Authority's Legal Services to support the enforcement process.
Key Responsibilities
Case Preparation & File Management
- Prepare and complete accurate, compliant Section 444(1) legal files for irregular school attendance.
- Review, analyse, and investigate information provided by schools and parents to ensure all evidence is complete and legally robust.
- Maintain meticulous case records, ensuring all documents are up‑to‑date, clearly presented, and meet required standards.
- Escalate incomplete or conflicting information and work with stakeholders to resolve issues.
Communication
- Communicate professionally with schools, parents/carers, and local authority officers to gather information, clarify evidence, and progress cases.
- Work closely with school attendance officers to ensure accurate attendance coding and evidence is submitted.
- Liaise with Legal Services on case readiness, documentation, and procedural requirements.
- Complete telephone calls to parents/carers and schools to obtain statements, verify information, and ensure timely case progression.
Investigation & Evidence Gathering
- Investigate reported reasons for non‑attendance, identifying discrepancies or missing information.
- Assess evidence and ensure it meets legal thresholds for enforcement action.
- Request supporting documents such as attendance registers, communication logs, and witness statements.
Compliance & Standards
- Ensure all work meets statutory requirements under the Education Act and local authority enforcement protocols.
- Maintain high standards of accuracy, confidentiality, and record‑
- Contribute to continuous improvement of processes, documentation templates, and workflows.
Skills & Competencies
Essential
- Strong attention to detail and ability to produce accurate, consistent legal files.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple cases and work to tight deadlines.
- Confident in handling challenging conversations with parents/carers and school staff.
- Investigative mindset with the ability to analyse and verify information.
- Proficient in using case management systems and Microsoft Office applications.
If you feel you can be successful in this role, please apply now!
