Paralegal

Role overview

This full-time position offers 37.5 hours each week and requires working on site. You will join Dorset HealthCare’s Clinical Legal Services Team in a role centered on patient safety, quality, and legal accountability. The post supports the Trust in meeting its legal, regulatory, and governance duties while helping drive learning and better outcomes across services.

What the role involves

You will handle a varied and important workload involving inquests and clinical negligence matters. The position calls for a calm, professional, and compassionate approach when dealing with sensitive and sometimes difficult situations, while ensuring the Trust’s responses align with national expectations.

Key duties

• Take ownership of a caseload covering inquests and clinical negligence claims, helping maintain a high-quality Clinical Legal Services function.
• Carry out detailed early-stage reviews of incidents, claims, and inquest matters affecting the Trust.
• Work closely with clinical colleagues to identify lessons learned and support their integration into practice to improve safety and quality.
• Make sure actions and documentation comply fully with NHS Resolution guidance and requirements.
• Keep precise, current records and provide clear visibility of legal activity and organisational risk.
• Help the Trust meet its legal, regulatory, and governance responsibilities in a confident and professional manner.

What the team is looking for

The Trust is seeking someone who is highly organised, careful with detail, and an excellent communicator. The ideal candidate should be able to work sensitively across complex situations and build effective relationships with clinicians, senior leaders, and external partners. A collaborative, practical, and solutions-led style is essential.

Additional information

Visa sponsorship is not available for this post. Candidates must already have the right to work in the UK and should not require sponsorship if appointed.

A standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required for this role, and the Trust will pay for it.

About the employer

Dorset HealthCare is committed to helping people live healthier, fuller lives through integrated healthcare services. The organisation operates 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities, and a broad range of community and mental health services for nearly 800,000 people.

The Trust describes itself as forward-thinking and collaborative, with a strong workforce of around 7,000 people. It values equality, diversity, and inclusion, and aims to create a workplace where people can be authentic and contribute their best work.

Staff are encouraged to grow their careers, work as part of a strong team, and contribute to the vision of healthier lives, empowered citizens, and thriving communities.

Contact for informal enquiries

For further information or an informal discussion, contact Amelia Atkin, Clinical Legal Services Manager, at amelia.atkin@nhs.net. A telephone number was also provided in the source.