Head of Legal Services with certificate of sponsorship to the UK
Job Overview
South East Coast Ambulance NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb) is seeking a dynamic and highly skilled Head of Legal Services to lead our Legal Services team. This is an excellent opportunity for legal professionals looking to relocate to the UK, as the employer offers a Certificate of Sponsorship for eligible candidates.
Visa Information
This position offers a Certificate of Sponsorship for international candidates who require skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK. Applicants must confirm their visa/work permit eligibility directly with the employer. From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants applying for entry clearance into the UK must present criminal record certificates from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.
Job Details
Company: SECamb
Location: Crawley HQ
Salary: £64,455 to £74,896 per annum
Schedule: Full-time
Employment Type: Permanent
Language: English
Application Deadline: 14 April 2026
About the Role
As Head of Legal Services, you will provide expert legal advice across a broad range of healthcare-related matters, including clinical negligence, coroners’ inquests, personal injury claims, and complex ethical issues. You will act as a trusted advisor to the Trust’s Executive Team, senior clinicians, and operational leaders, ensuring legal compliance and supporting continuous improvement in patient safety and governance.
Key Responsibilities
- Independently manage and advocate in coroners’ inquests
- Provide expert legal advice on healthcare law, patient consent, capacity, confidentiality, and more
- Lead the management of clinical negligence and personal injury claims
- Support staff across the Trust with legal guidance and training
- Collaborate with governance, safety, and clinical teams to embed learning and improve practice
- Line manage legal services staff and oversee the department’s budget
Person Specification
Essential Skills/Ability/ Knowledge
- Able to communicate highly contentious, sensitive and complex information (both written and oral) often within an antagonistic atmosphere in order to provide a legal advisory service and associate specialist litigation
- Able to take evidence from witnesses and submissions in court or tribunal
- Ability to deal confidently with staff at all levels of an organisation
- Well-developed interpersonal skills with the ability to work with a range of professionals
Desirable Skills/Ability/ Knowledge
- Excellent communication skills at all levels, confident when speaking in public and at large meetings
- Developing & delivering training programmes
Qualifications
Essential Qualifications
- Degree in Law (or other degree with completion of relevant conversion course)
- Masters level qualification, or demonstrable experience as a senior and expert specialist solicitor or barrister
Desirable Qualifications
- Knowledge and experience associated with NHS specific legal provisions, structures and social care policies
- Experience of Datix
Experience
Essential Experience
- Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge within the specialised field of Health Law, including litigation, inquests and general advice on protection of interests of medical staff and organisations
- Inquest Advocacy
- Experience of managing staff and budgets
Desirable Experience
- Experience of using the NHSLA Extranet and Claims Wizard
- Experience of working within the NHS or public sector environment
About SECamb
SECamb offers a comprehensive benefits package including:
- Option to join NHS pension scheme
- A minimum 27 days’ holiday each year, increasing after 5 years’ service
- Personal and professional development and training opportunities
- Salary Sacrifice schemes for cars or push bikes
- Access to occupational health and counselling services
- Award winning wellbeing hub
- Access to NHS discounts, offering NHS employees a range of money-saving deals
Please note that other than in exceptional circumstances, the starting salary for staff new to the NHS will be the bottom point of the band to which they have been appointed.
Job Description Details
The post holder is responsible for the daily management of the Legal Services allocated budget and line management of legal services staff. They will lead the legal management of inquests, including advocacy and witness support, and oversee the conduct of claims and litigation. The role also involves identifying organisational learning from legal processes and contributing to policy development and internal training.
Coroners Inquests
You will be accountable for the effective legal conduct of all inquests involving the Trust, including adherence to professional standards of all Legal staff and compliance with evidentiary and Coronial rules. This involves acting as a confident advocate, including the ability to examine and cross-examine witnesses, present evidence and make submissions to Coroners on relevant law. You will need to understand the medical complexities of each case in conjunction with senior clinicians and recognise potentially problematic areas, both clinically and legally.
Legal Advice
You will ensure the provision of the highest level of prompt and accurate expert legal advice on matters including, but not limited to, patient consent, withholding/withdrawing of life sustaining treatment and end of life decisions, capacity, confidentiality, access to patient information, medical ethics, mental health law, trust law, contract law, criminal law, dealings with the police, child protection, occupiers liability, interpretation of relevant legislation, legal principles and case law.
How to Apply
To apply for this position with certificate of sponsorship to the UK, please follow these steps:
Application Process
- Visit the NHS Jobs website to submit your application
- Prepare all required documents including CV, cover letter, and proof of qualifications
- Complete the online application form ensuring you provide all requested information
- Submit your application before the closing date of 14 April 2026
International Applicant Checklist
- Verify your eligibility for skilled worker sponsorship with the employer
- Prepare criminal record certificates from all countries where you have resided for 12+ months in the past 10 years
- Ensure your qualifications are recognized in the UK
- Prepare evidence of English language proficiency if required
- Contact the employer directly with any questions about the sponsorship process
Employer Contact Information
For questions about the job:
Contact: Richard Banks (Head Of Corporate Governance)
Email: richard.banks@secamb.nhs.uk
Phone: Not provided
Additional Information
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, and a submission for Disclosure will be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.
For more information about SECamb, please visit their website at https://www.secamb.nhs.uk/
Privacy Notice
Please note that your personal data will be processed in accordance with SECamb’s privacy statement, which can be found at https://www.secamb.nhs.uk/privacy-statement/