Housing Team Manager - Solicitor or CILEx (Legal Aid)

Voluntary Action Sheffield; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

A charitable organization in Sheffield is seeking a Housing Team Manager with a focus on legal aid. The successful candidate will provide high-quality legal advice, manage a team of advisors, and ensure compliance with legal standards. This full-time position offers a salary between £34,263 to £36,649 per annum, alongside a supportive work culture and attractive benefits. Applicants must be solicitors or CILEx qualified, with experience in social welfare law. Early applications are encouraged.

Benefits

Pension scheme with 4% employer contribution

Health plan with integrated employee assistance programme

Onsite gym

Qualifications

• Experience in providing legal advice and representation in social welfare law.
• Ability to manage a caseload and deliver services effectively.
• Strong communication skills to assist clients and supervise staff.

Responsibilities

• Deliver legal advice and representation to clients.
• Manage the team and maintain quality of work.
• Conduct training and develop resources for staff.

Skills

Legal advice

Case management

Team leadership

Social welfare law

Education

Solicitor or CILEx qualification

Accreditation for specialist practice

Job description

Housing Team Manager - Solicitor or CILEx (Legal Aid)

Category: Managerial

Organisation: Job Description

When applying, please ensure to answer the person specification based on qualifications, skills and experience, team manager person specification for CILEx, Solicitor person specification for Solicitor. Applications will be reviewed as they arrive, and interviews may be conducted before the closing date. Therefore, early applications are strongly encouraged.

The Role

Solicitor specialising in a specific area of social welfare law, providing high‑quality legal advice and representation. Managing their own caseload and providing comprehensive legal services under our Legal Aid contract, the solicitor is also responsible for managing a team of advisors within their specific specialist area of law and monitoring the quality of their work through both local and national Citizens Advice standards and the external ones set by the Legal Aid Agency.

An important aspect of this role is to communicate effectively with other client‑facing staff members to offer support, advice and guidance when dealing with clients presenting with queries relating to their specialist area.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Deliver services in accordance with our service delivery strategy and operational plans, including telephone, digital and pre‑booked appointment services.
• Meet the needs of all clients, wherever possible empowering clients to improve their confidence and capability, and supporting them to develop and implement action plans to meet their needs.
• Provide expert legal advice, casework assistance and representation to clients in your specialist area (eg Housing, Employment, or Immigration Law).
• Manage a varied caseload, including conducting initial interviews, undertaking legal research, drafting legal documents, negotiating settlements, and representing clients in court or tribunals.
• Conduct thorough case analysis and develop effective legal strategies.
• Maintain accurate and up‑to‑date case files in accordance with Legal Aid Agency requirements and internal procedures.
• Comply with all relevant Law Society and Legal Aid Agency regulations, standards and quality requirements, including preparation, record keeping and Service Quality Mark (SQM) audits.
• Ensure that accurate and securely stored records are maintained for the required period and are available for timely legal aid billing requirements.
• Contribute to the development of legal resources and training materials for staff and volunteers.
• Participate in internal and external meetings and networking events as required.
• Work collaboratively with other team members, including caseworkers, volunteers and administrative staff, to provide a holistic service to clients.
• Contribute to the organisation's aims and objectives, including promoting access to justice and raising awareness of social welfare issues.
• Undertake continuous professional development to maintain and enhance legal knowledge and skills.

Staff Supervision, Support and Development

• Contribute to creating and supporting a positive culture in which all paid staff and volunteers are supported and valued.
• Engage paid staff and volunteers in good teamwork, planning and delivering services, and in campaigning.
• Supervise paid staff and volunteers in accordance with our policies and procedures.
• Provide advice, guidance and support to and supervise paid staff and volunteers in relation to any aspect of service delivery.
• Support the design and delivery of training.

Campaigning and Social Policy Development

• Support research and other activity to identify priorities for campaigns and social policy development, and the evidence to support such campaigns.
• Support the design and implementation of campaigns locally.
• Assist with our contribution to regional and national campaigns, and with acting upon these campaigns locally.

Service Strategy, Planning and Development

• Support and advise the leadership team to develop and implement service delivery strategies and plans.

Professional Learning and Development

• Keep up to date with legislation, policies and procedures.
• Attend internal and external training.
• Obtain and maintain accreditation for specialist practice.

Reporting to: Service Manager

Responsible for: a team of paid advisers/advice workers and volunteers.

Location

Sheffield

Salary

£34,263 to £36,649 p.a. depending on experience and qualifications

Type of Contract

Full Time

Hours

35 hours per week

We offer a supportive culture within a charity setting committed to social justice. We offer an attractive remuneration package with good terms and conditions of employment including a pension scheme with 4% employer contribution, a health plan with integrated employee assistance programme and onsite gym.

Closing Date

08‑01‑2026

How to Apply

Job application packs are available to download at www.citizensadvicesheffield.org.uk or you can contact [e-mail]. Please quote the job reference number in the subject heading. All candidates must submit the application form (no CVs accepted) to [e-mail] by 5pm on Thursday 8th Jan 2026. For an informal discussion about the post, contact the applications inbox and we will arrange for someone to contact you. Interview date Thursday 15th January 2026. Applications will be reviewed as they arrive, and interviews may be conducted before the closing date. Therefore, early applications are strongly encouraged. This post will be subject to a basic DBS check for work with adults.