Immigration Lawyer Jobs

Praxis is a dynamic, award-winning human rights charity. We have 40 years of experience working with migrant communities in London. Our immigration advice service offers support to more than 2,000 people each year. Praxis provides a safe space and support through immigration advice and support to access services such as housing and health. We run peer support groups that build social networks and confidence. Together with people with lived experience, Praxis campaigns for a compassionate and humane immigration system where no one is discriminated against based on their immigration status, race, or class.

Praxis has recently significantly scaled up its campaigns and communications work. We are looking for a new Stories and Media Coordinator to join our Fundraising and Communications team, to help ensure that people with lived experience of the immigration system are the driving force of our dynamic communications work, whilst also building the organisation’s profile and amplifying our systems-change work.

You will play an integral role in the Fundraising and Communications team in an ambitious organisation.  

We are looking for the below skills and experience:

· Strong experience and understanding of working with experts by experience in communications, media and storytelling work, including excellent understanding of safeguarding and risk management;

· Significant experience of developing and maintaining good relationships with a range of journalists;

· A sharp understanding of what makes a strong story;

· Strong communication skills, both written and verbal;

· Ability to build relationships and rapport with a wide range of people.

See the Person Specification and Job Description for more detail. 

Our Attractive Benefits Package Includes 

· A 35-hour working week including flexible working hours (pro rata for part time posts)

· A hybrid work model 

· 25 days annual leave, increasing annually to the maximum 30 days (plus paid Bank Holidays) 

· Option to buy up to 3 days annual leave each year.

· 1-day additional birthday leave

· A defined contribution pension scheme 

· Our employee assistance programme offers counselling and support for you 24/7. 

· A season ticket loan to help you spread the cost of your commute. 

We are an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourage applications from those with lived experience of migration, and from diverse applicants regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital/civil partnership status, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, or pregnancy/maternity leave status. 

Please see our website to find out more about our work.

For further details, please contact Josephine Whitaker-Yilmaz, our Policy and Public Affairs Manager.

To apply, send us your CV and cover letter demonstrating your capabilities in relation to each of the points of the person specification. Where relevant use your answers to illustrate how your competencies have helped you to achieve positive results. This will give you the best possible chance to be shortlisted. 

If you would like to speak to someone about any adjustments or have any questions you can email and we will be in touch with you to make the necessary arrangements.

Application deadline: Monday 30th September 2024 at midnight.  

Interviews will be held on Tuesday 15th October 2024.

As Head of Advocacy, you will lead the development and delivery of Medical Justice’s advocacy programme, drawing on our evidence of the harm caused by immigration detention, to secure lasting change through combinations of research, policy, parliamentary, and media work, as well as contribute to strategic litigation.

Reporting directly to the Director, you will lead our experienced team advocacy team, help develop our strategic objectives and shape our emerging Senior Management Team.

We particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience –

Support from Experts by Experience Employment Network 

Medical Justice is a member of the initiative so candidates with lived experience for our jobs can receive its support with reviewing covering letters, CVs, and interview preparation, as well as give encouraging and constructive feedback to applicants during and after the application process, subject to its volunteers’ availability.

If you are an expert by experience (a refugee or a migrant with direct, first-hand experience of issues and challenges of the UK asylum or immigration system), you can ask for an independent and confidential support for your job application from the Experts by Experience Employment Network. Please follow the link in the application pack to request support and they will confirm if they can match you with a mentor to support your application.

- see the Application Pack for more details.

Main duties and responsibilities

1. Develop the advocacy team’s expertise in all of the ways our evidence can be used to effect change, including policy work both with the Home Office and NHS England who commission healthcare in immigration detention, parliamentary work, media work, and to contribute to strategic litigation, and how and when they interrelate.
2. Understand and keep updated on what is happening with immigration detention policy, including matters that influence it, such as the literature on health issues of detainees, key legal judgements, inquests, reports by official monitors and parliamentary committees, responses to parliamentary questions, parliamentary debates, research produced by other organisations, and information that you glean from FOI requests.
3. Keep abreast of the wider political context that may influence immigration and detention policy.
4. Represent Medical Justice at external meetings and events.
   - Participate in Home Office, NHS England and monitoring bodies’ stakeholder forums.
   - Participate in formal and informal ad-hoc NGO groupings.
5. Work both reactively and pro-actively, identify opportunities for securing change and prioritise work according to its strategic importance as well as ‘return on investment’.
6. Work with the Director and the Head of Casework to ensure ;
7. Further develop Medical Justice’s Strategy and ensure that strategic objectives across the organisation are impactful, current and coherent.
   - Developments that affect detention policy are shared within Medical Justice.
   - Issues experienced in our casework are documented and used in our advocacy work.
   - Our material is robust so that we maintain credibility as an organisation which is vital for our advocacy work as well as for the use of our medico-legal reports in clients’ individual legal cases.
   - Develop the monitoring and evaluation framework for our advocacy work.
8. Facilitate the meaningful involvement of people with lived experience of detention Medical Justice advocacy work, including in its design and development.
9. Line-manage the Parliamentary & Research Analyst and the Researcher, including providing support in terms of personal development/training and well-being. There will also be line-managing responsibilities for some periods of an individual on the Casework Trainee programme for people with lived experience, once it is introduced.

Research / line-management of the Researcher

1. Consulting colleagues, other NGOs and lawyers to identify research projects that draw on medical evidence from our casework that would have the most impact, including carrying out research for strategic litigation and supporting such litigation.
2. Collaborate with other organisations as appropriate.
3. Lead the team in conducting research and provide periodic feedback of policy implications regarding the emerging findings to others within the organisation for consideration.
4. Lead the team in the producing analysis of research and audits of our MLRs, writing up into required formats, including research reports, text for inclusion in policy work, submissions, witness statements, briefing papers for parliamentarians, and media articles. 
5. Together with colleagues, offer suitable material for peer review publication and contribute where appropriate to research carried out by medical professional bodies and others.
6. Contribute to the further development of the Medical Justice datasystem and its functionality.

Policy work

1. Carry out policy work with the Home Office, NHS England and their contractors – this may include responding to consultations, and challenging issues proactively.
2. Build relationships with the Home Office, NHS England, and monitoring bodies – make sure Medical Justice is included in all relevant consultations and alert others if they have been missed out.
3. Collaborate as much as is sensible with other organisations to get the best outcomes for people in detention.

Parliamentary work / line-management of the Parliamentary & Research Analyst

1. Oversee our work as the secretariat for the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Immigration Detention, raising awareness of immigration detention amongst parliamentarians and priming them to take action. Work to ensure the APPG brings together parliamentarians with experts, NGOs, lawyers and people with lived experience to amplify our collective impact.
2. Oversee the briefing of parliamentarians for challenging unjust policies, asking parliamentary questions, holding parliamentary debates, opposing parliamentary approval of harmful policy amendments, and assisting parliamentarians in tabling amendments to relevant Bills.
3. Oversee submissions parliamentary committees to inquires they hold as well as the briefing of committee members and clerks.

 Galvanise Medical professional organisations

1. Work with Royal Colleges, the British Medical Association and others to galvanise their communities, encouraging helpful evidence from them, and organising events with them.

Media

1. Work both with the Director and on your own to create mainstream and social media opportunities to promote the work of Medical Justice and the needed content.

General

• Provide reports for staff and/or trustees as requested.
• Respect and comply in full with Medical Justice patients’ confidentiality requirements and contribute to developing our own policy in this area.
• To work flexibly as a member of a team and the organisation and undertake other reasonable duties and responsibilities at the request of the Director.
• To assist the smooth running of the organisation, working with other Medical Justice staff and the trustees to meet overall objectives, including strategic and operational planning, participation in periodic appraisals, and contribute to organisational development. Also, attending and assisting with relevant events as appropriate.
• To promote Medical Justice policies including our equal opportunities and anti-discrimination policies.
• To be self servicing, to pro-actively share relevant information and expertise within the organisation, and to keep all records, statistics and qualitative information in accordance with Medical Justice policy and practice.

For more information about Medical Justice, this role, the Person Specification, Guidance notes for completing the application form, and the application form, please download the application pack

Rainbow Migration, the longest-running charity in Europe dedicated to supporting LGBTQI+ people through the asylum and immigration system, is recruiting a Legal Officer to advise and help improve the representation of LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum and help change the asylum and immigration system to one that treats everyone with compassion, dignity and respect.

We are looking for a qualified solicitor or barrister with valid practising certificate, or already accredited to Level 3 OISC, with two years’ experience in providing advice and representation in asylum including working in legal aid.

You will be responsible for the day-to-day delivery of the legal advice service. Under the guidance of our Legal Service Manager, you will also build capacity amongst legal representatives by designing and delivering training, giving second tier advice and developing and coordinating a network of practitioners working in this area. You will use the knowledge you gain in this role to help deliver Rainbow Migration’s policy work, such as inputting into policy papers and meeting with partner organisations when required.

We will also consider applications from people who do not want to do the policy elements of the job, but to instead focus on first and second tier advice. Please mention in your covering letter if you are applying for this option.

This is a unique opportunity to build on your experience as a lawyer to improve representation across the sector and create change in government policy and practice. You will be supported to develop as a specialist lawyer and in your policy skills.

Responsibilities will include:

· Deliver one-off advice to adult LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum and work with colleagues to refer them to quality legal aid and pro bono lawyers

· Provide casework assistance e.g. helping to prepare witness statements, making referrals to other specialist organisations and taking other urgent steps (whilst not representing service users or maintaining a caseload)

· Provide occasional advice (within competence) on other issues affecting asylum and partnership service users such as asylum support, legal aid, trafficking, family reunion or community care

· Deliver second tier advice to the legal representatives of LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum and other charities and professionals

· Work with the Legal Service Manager to design and deliver training to lawyers, NGOs and other professionals

· Write blogs and articles on asylum and immigration policy and legislation as they apply to LGBTQI+ people

· Contribute to policy and briefing papers

· Assist with preparing guidelines and briefings for legal services and pro bono lawyers

The Legal Officer will not be providing direct legal representation of service users. However, the role includes substantive advice and casework within the scope of legal support and referrals for our service users, as well as merits testing and second tier advice.

Rainbow Migration’s vision is that LGBTQI+ people can settle in the UK and lead fulfilling lives. Our values are: 

· Safety: We believe everyone should be safe from persecution and safe to be themselves. We strive to create a safe workplace culture, and we place importance on the wellbeing of everyone involved with Rainbow Migration. 

· Integrity: We are thorough and honest in everything we do, and we take responsibility for our actions. We want to be accountable to our communities and those who support us. 

· Belonging: We welcome and include all LGBTQI+ people, and we celebrate and value their range of experience in terms of gender, religion, race, age, disability status and class. We try to remove obstacles to participation, champion equality and promote a sense of family or home through our services. 

· Respect: We believe that every person is equal and deserves the same level of courtesy, care, and attention. We respect the rights, wishes and feelings of our service users, and campaign for their rights to be respected as they go through the asylum and immigration system. 

At Rainbow Migration, we don’t just accept difference – we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on it. We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability status. We consider all qualified applicants, consistent with any legal requirements. 

We welcome applications from candidates with lived experience of going through the UK asylum or immigration system or who have been subject to immigration control. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for anyone considered as disabled under the Equality Act 2010 if they meet the necessary criteria in the person specification.

Owing to the nature of the work, the successful applicant will be required at the point of conditional job offer to disclose all spent and unspent criminal records and subsequently to undergo an enhanced DBS check. See our website for more information.

Contract Type: Permanent.

Hours: Full-time (35 hours per week). Working part-time or job-sharing will be considered. Occasional work in the evenings and at weekends may be required but with plenty of notice. Rainbow Migration encourages staff to maintain a good work life balance and has a TOIL system in place.

Salary: Starting at £40,175, with potential annual step increases up to £44,868 (pro-rata for part-time employees), plus statutory employer’s pension contribution. In addition to an annual step increase, the trustees consider giving a separate inflationary increase every April. 

Location: Remote or from Rainbow Migration’s offices in central London. Hybrid working will also be considered. The successful candidate could work from anywhere in the UK but would be expected to occasionally travel to London and other parts of the country for meetings and events. At the time of posting this advert, none of our staff are going into the office every day. Please contact us if you have any questions.

Annual Leave: 25 days per year rising after 24 months by 1 day after each year of service to maximum of 28 days per year (pro rata if working part-time).

Benefits:

· Two days of wellbeing leave to be taken at short notice in each calendar year (pro rata for part-time staff)

· Enhanced parental leave and pay

· Full pay for jury service (up to four weeks), compassionate leave (up to two weeks) and dependents leave (up to four days, pro rata for part-time staff)

· Separate salary step and inflationary increases considered every year

· TOIL system

· Hybrid working policy, including possibility of working abroad for 10 working days (pro rata for part-time staff) each year

· Policy on staff loans or salary advances for difficult times

· Work laptop and mobile phone

· Training and learning opportunities

· Employee telephone counselling service

· Clinical supervision for staff delivering services

How to apply

Closing date: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, but the first consideration of received applications will take place on 25 July.

Interview date:  Interviews will be scheduled on an ongoing basis in response to applications received.

Please read the job description and person specification. If you have any questions about the role or would like to find out more before applying, then you can contact the line manager via the email in the JD.

Please send:

1. Your CV

2. A written statement (max 1,000 words). Instead of a written statement you may submit your statement by video or audio recording (max 8 minutes)

to the email address in the JD.

3. Optional: please use this link to complete a monitoring form (link in the JD)

In your statement, please:

1. Give examples of how you meet the person specification. In addition to what is on your CV, we want to hear about any relevant skills and experience that demonstrate how you meet the necessary criteria for the role, and if you meet any of the advantageous criteria. Skills and experience could be from training, volunteering, interests or life experience

2. Confirm if you wish to be considered under the guaranteed interview scheme for anyone considered as disabled under the Equality Act 2010 (physical or mental impairment that has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ effect on your ability to do normal daily activities)

3. State how many hours a week you wish to work and if you have a preferred pattern, or if you are applying as part of a job-share

4. If you do not want to do the policy elements of the job and instead focus on first and second tier advice, please mention this.

By submitting an application, you:

1. Confirm that you have the right to work in the UK and will produce the necessary documentation if you are offered this post.

2. Declare that to the best of your knowledge and belief, the information provided with your application is true and correct and that you understand that any false information or statement given will justify the dismissal from Rainbow Migration if appointed.

3. Accept that, if successful, you will be required to disclose all spent and unspent criminal records at the point of conditional job and subsequently to undergo an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check.

We are proud to be a member of the Experts by Experience Employment Network (please see the JD for web address), which aims to create a charitable sector that is led by people with lived experience of the asylum and immigration system. As part of this network, we challenge the one-size-fits-all approach in our employment practices, and respect personal circumstances and needs of people with lived experience. Please feel free to use information and resources at the website in the JD which may help in preparing your job application.

Privacy notice

If you apply for this role, the information you provide will be processed according to Rainbow Migration's privacy policy (link in the JD). Rainbow Migration will not share your information with any third parties unless part of the recruitment process or are legally required to do so. By applying, you are permitting Rainbow Migration to access and use the information for recruitment purposes. Rainbow Migration will store your data for 12 months after the conclusion of the recruitment campaign. Monitoring information is kept separately and is pseudonymised to avoid identification of applicants. It is amalgamated for statistical purposes and the original data is then deleted after six months.

Are you an organised and efficient coordinator who can help us deliver high-quality training to ensure that children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive the education they are legally entitled to?

IPSEA is a national charity that works to ensure that children and young people with SEND receive the educational support they are legally entitled to. Since we were formed in 1983, we have helped to improve the education experience of thousands of children and young people with all kinds of SEND. We do this by providing free and independent legal advice and casework support, undertaking policy work and delivering training on the SEND law framework.

We’re looking for a dedicated and detail-oriented Training Coordinator to coordinate and organise our SEND law training sessions.

About our training

IPSEA’s legal team and training courses set the standard in SEND law education. We run between 10 and 16 courses a month covering a range of SEND law topics for both parents/carers and professionals. In addition, we organise webinars every quarter for parents and carers on current issues we are seeing. 

Our training encompasses both spot purchase sessions, which we schedule and offer for individuals to book, and commissioned training, which organisations can arrange specifically for their teams. 

Key responsibilities

As the Training Coordinator, you will:

• Organise all our live training events (remote or in person) and handle the administration for each session.
• Coordinate the entire process from timetabling, reserving trainers, managing enquiries, handling website bookings, reserving places, setting up remote training links, and liaising with the finance team.
• Launch virtual training sessions, admit attendees, and address any ad hoc enquiries.
• Seek responses to post-training questionnaires once sessions are complete.
• Manage various online/e-learning courses, including setting up users, managing accounts, uploading updated courses, and reporting to users as required.

We are looking for a good communicator, a team player and someone who is organised and efficient. You will be confident using the telephone, emails and video conferencing and have a professional and friendly communication style. You will be familiar with inputting information into, and extracting data from, excel spreadsheets, know how to manage Zoom and Microsoft Teams and ideally have some knowledge of case management systems.

The role is a full-time position that can be office-based, home-based, or hybrid, with occasional visits to the IPSEA office in Takeley, Essex, or a London venue.

Next steps

Visit our website to download a recruitment pack and application form. 

Deadline for applications: 9am on Monday 6 September 2024

Interviews: Friday 20 September 2024 (in London)