VACANCIES: Part-time peer reviewers needed for Children’s Quality Assurance Scheme

We recruiting solicitors to join our panel of peer reviewers.

Applicants must have been on our Children’s Legal Assistance Register for at least three years and have significant experience in working within the Children’s Hearing System.

As a children’s peer reviewer you will conduct periodic reviews of other solicitor’s children’s legal assistance case files to ensure that the work carried out by them complies with the guidelines and criteria agreed between us and the Law Society of Scotland.

The part-time posts are for a fixed three-year period and attract a daily rate of £410 (excluding VAT), as well as travel and subsistence expenses when required.

The closing date for receipt of applications is 5pm Wednesday, 29 May

About the Scheme

The Children’s Quality Assurance Scheme is administered by us under section 28P of the Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 1986 and is part of our overall compliance regime.

The process is overseen by our Children’s Quality Assurance Committee, which comprises of three members appointed by us, three members appointed by the Law Society of Scotland, and three independent or lay members appointed in consultation with the Society.

How the Scheme works

All children’s solicitors who have registered with us to provide children’s legal assistance are subject to peer review.

The Peer Reviews consist of an examination of a range of solicitor’s files by one or more of a panel of Peer Reviewers who are experienced and currently practising children’s solicitors.

The purpose of the review is to examine the quality of the work carried out on behalf of the client, based on the evidence contained within the files.

Files are assessed against set peer review criteria.

Further information on the Quality Assurance Scheme is available on our website.

Requirements for Peer Reviewers

Due to the nature of the role, you require the following if you wish to apply to us to become a peer reviewer:

• hold a full and current practising certificate with no restrictions
• be currently registered on the Children’s Legal Assistance Register and have been so for at least three consecutive years
• can demonstrate a high level of experience in dealing with children’s cases at all levels within the children’s hearings system (panel hearings and associated court proceedings)
• can demonstrate a good level of knowledge and experience of the children’s legal assistance regime that surrounds this area of work
• continue to practise during the three-year period of the contract.

Basis of Appointment and remuneration:

Successful applicants will:

• be contracted on a consultancy basis for a fixed three-year period
• must be available to provide up to two days a month to carry out reviews and be prepared to attend the occasional on-site review at a solicitor’s office
• be required to attend two days paid compulsory training, which will be provided before conducting any reviews
• be required to attend yearly training once in post
• be paid on a daily rate basis (£410 excluding VAT). Travel and subsistence expenses will also be paid when required. Each review is expected to take one half day and the payments will be £205.

How to apply

To apply, we require the following:

• a detailed CV (including full postal addresses of all solicitor-related employment within the last three years)
• a brief covering letter explaining your reasons for applying
• your availability dates for interview the week beginning 10 June and your preference for either in person or via Teams.

Applications should then be emailed to:

Tracy Brown BrownTr@slab.org.uk

Children’s Quality Assurance Coordinator.

Your application will be acknowledged within two working days.

Closing date

The closing date for receipt of applications is 5pm Wednesday, 29 May

Interviews are due to be held the week beginning 10 June

Interviews will take place in person or via Teams.