Connect2Hackney

About the Role At Connect2Hackney, we are recruiting for a skilled Lawyer to join our Legal & Governance Services team. We are looking for a professional who can demonstrate they are part of an ambitious, agile legal team with a sound grasp of the bigger picture, understanding the Council's key priorities. In this pivotal role, you will contribute to the development and delivery of corporate strategies and operational plans. You will be responsible for managing a caseload of both routine and non-routine legal matters with minimum supervision , while providing clear, consistent, and accurate legal advice to clients across the Council's services. Key Responsibilities Case Management: Manage a demanding caseload of legal matters and complex reports , ensuring compliance with the Service's practice management standards. Advocacy: Undertake advocacy on behalf of the Council in courts and tribunals. Advisory: Deliver seminars or briefings to clients, colleagues, and Members and advise on legal issues, governance, and procedure. Performance: Use the case management system effectively to record at least 1,200 chargeable hours per annum. Collaboration: Work collaboratively with clients to ensure a customer-focused approach and supervise junior staff when required. About You We are looking for a qualified solicitor or barrister (Supreme Court of England and Wales) or a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives. You must be IT literate and have a strong understanding of the workings of local government and the issues affecting a multi-cultural inner-city area. You should have experience in one or more of the following areas relevant to the team: Adult Social Services or Children's Services Employment, Housing, or Litigation Planning, Property, or Regeneration Licensing, Procurement, or Prosecutions Skills & Attributes Communication: Highly developed oral and written communication skills , with the ability to research and present complex legal arguments. Flexibility: Willingness to attend evening meetings as required and adopt new ways of working to manage a varied workload. Proactivity: Able to take initiative, work independently , and take responsibility for your own self-development. Join Us If you are ready to support the Council in achieving its strategic aims and can relate professionally to a wide range of stakeholders, from senior officers to members of the public, we want to hear from you. Commercial Services Trading Ltd is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.

Connect2Hackney is the internal talent team for the London Borough of Hackney, one of the UK's most diverse and highest-performing local authorities. We serve one of London's best places to live and work. Our staff are what makes the Council great; we thrive on challenge and change, and we are Open, Inclusive, Ambitious, Pioneering, Proactive, and Proud. We are looking for a leader to join our team of HR Specialists, who are focused on supporting our mission to make Hackney a place for everyone. The Role We are seeking a Strategic Lead: Business Development to provide strategic management of the Business Development Team and increase the profitability of our Traded Services arm. In this pivotal role, you will be part of the HR and Traded Services Management Team. You will oversee the procurement, management, and review of key HR contracts, such as managed service providers and HR systems, ensuring they consistently deliver exceptional value and performance. You will be responsible for: Driving Growth: Proactively identifying, promoting, and facilitating traded services opportunities to retain existing business and win new business. Strategic Marketing: Developing and implementing a comprehensive marketing and sales strategy, including market research and competitor analysis. Financial Oversight: Conducting annual pricing reviews and cost-to-serve analyses to ensure services remain competitive and profitable. Contract Management: Overseeing tendering for all HR contracts and ensuring delivery meets expected standards and Service Level Agreements (SLAs). Team Leadership: Leading, mentoring, and nurturing the Business Development team to ensure high performance. About You We are looking for an innovative professional who can demonstrate a track record of generating new business and achieving income targets. You should possess excellent financial planning and business modelling experience, along with a good understanding of sales-driven business models. Key Requirements: Experience: Proven experience in developing and executing successful marketing and sales strategies within a service-oriented environment. Commercial Acumen: Experience conducting cost-to-serve analysis, leading pricing reviews, and working effectively in a commercial environment. Relationship Building: A track record of negotiating contract agreements and building relationships with stakeholders at all levels of seniority. Skills: Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex service offerings persuasively. Qualifications: While no mandatory qualifications are required, you may be qualified in business management or marketing, or hold a qualification in Project Management. Why Join Us? Impact: You will help design and drive the People agenda, devising HR strategies that support corporate objectives and generate income. Flexibility: We support agile working through a combination of hybrid working at our different offices and from home. Culture: You will join a team that encourages innovative, smart, and collaborative working. Commercial Services Trading Ltd is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.

Deputy Head of Service - Access and Safeguarding Location: Hackney (Hybrid Working) Rate: £450 per day Contract Type: Interim / Contract We?re seeking an experienced Deputy Head of Service to join the Access and Safeguarding service within Adults Social Care on an interim basis. You will be helping to deliver high-quality, person-centred services that empower adults to live safe, independent, and fulfilling lives. About the Role As Deputy Head of Service, you will lead operational excellence across three critical service areas: Access & Duty Team Safeguarding Adults Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and the Safeguarding Adults Board functions You'll be responsible for ensuring services are safe, high-performing, and aligned with our strength-based, personalised approach. You?ll also play a key role in shaping strategic direction, managing budgets, and driving innovation across the department. Key Responsibilities Lead the delivery of high-quality, legally compliant services that promote independence, choice, and wellbeing. Provide strong leadership that fosters a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing culture. Manage operational budgets and contribute to departmental savings and efficiencies. Build and maintain effective partnerships across the Council, Integrated Care System, and voluntary and community sectors. Champion continuous improvement, innovation, and learning across all service areas. Ensure robust performance management and quality assurance frameworks are in place. Support the Head of Service in delivering strategic objectives and representing the department at a senior level. About You We're looking for a confident and experienced leader who brings: A deep understanding of adult safeguarding, access services, and statutory responsibilities. Proven experience managing complex services and leading multi-disciplinary teams. Strong financial acumen and experience managing budgets and commissioning care. A collaborative and solution-focused approach to leadership and service development. A commitment to equity, inclusion, and co-production with residents and communities. Ready to lead with purpose and impact? For an informal conversation or to request the full job description, please contact: Commercial Services Trading Ltd is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.

Are you passionate about providing direct support to residents and preventing homelessness? Do you have a deep understanding of the welfare benefits system? Connect2Hackney, the internal talent team for the London Borough of Hackney, are recruiting for Hackney's vital Here To Help service for a dedicated and empathetic Benefits and Housing Needs Officer . This is a crucial role where you will be the first point of contact for residents struggling with their housing costs. You will take a holistic and hands-on approach, using your expertise to provide immediate financial relief while empowering residents to achieve long-term financial stability. You will manage a varied caseload, where every day brings a new challenge and a new opportunity to make a tangible difference in someone's life. About the Role As a Benefits and Housing Needs Officer, you will be responsible for both the specialist assessment of applications and the administrative processes that ensure our service runs efficiently. You will be expected to support approximately 10-15 residents a week. Your key responsibilities will include: Casework and Assessment: Contacting residents to understand their circumstances and decide on the best package of financial and non-financial support to help them. Assessing, awarding, and processing Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs), using your discretion in line with internal guidance. Conducting comprehensive benefit checks with residents to identify underclaiming and maximise their income across benefits like Council Tax Reduction, Universal Credit, and Pension Credit. Working with residents to develop shared plans to sustain their tenancy, which may include advice on downsizing or increasing working hours. Triaging and Administration: Reviewing and triaging incoming applications daily, assigning them to the correct officer or work tray. Managing the shared team inbox and responding to resident queries, especially those relating to supermarket vouchers. Processing payments for cash support schemes using BACS transfers. Maintaining accurate and secure records on systems including Academy and Jigsaw. Collaboration and Support: Liaising with landlords, with resident consent, to prevent evictions. Working closely with colleagues across Here To Help and other services to ensure joined-up support for residents with complex needs. Writing clear, empathetic, and tailored decision letters that explain the support being offered. About You We are looking for a proactive and highly organised individual with a strong background in welfare benefits and a genuine desire to help people. You must be comfortable working both independently and collaboratively within a fast-paced team environment. To be successful, you will need: Essential Experience & Knowledge: A strong understanding of welfare benefits and the ability to spot opportunities for income maximisation. Experience assessing DHPs in line with policy and guidance. Proficiency in using benefits systems, including Academy, Comino, and Searchlight . Proven experience in an administrative or support role, preferably within a welfare or social care environment. Experience handling sensitive and confidential information with care and integrity. Skills and Abilities: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to show sensitivity and empathy when dealing with people in challenging situations. The ability to remain calm and focused under pressure. Strong organisational skills with a keen attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities efficiently. A collaborative, team-player attitude and a flexible approach to changing priorities. Commercial Services Trading Ltd is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.

Job Title: Senior Occupational Therapist Location: Hackney Contract Type: Fixed Term Overview: We're looking for a passionate and experienced Senior Occupational Therapist to join our team and help drive meaningful outcomes for individuals across our service. This is a fantastic opportunity to take a lead role in shaping therapeutic interventions, mentoring junior staff, and collaborating across disciplines to deliver person-centred care. Key Responsibilities: Lead on complex assessments and interventions to support individuals in achieving independence and wellbeing. Provide clinical supervision and guidance to junior occupational therapists and support staff. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to develop and implement care plans. Contribute to service development, quality improvement initiatives, and best practice sharing. Maintain accurate and timely documentation in line with professional standards. Essential Skills & Experience: HCPC registration as an Occupational Therapist. Significant post-qualification experience in a relevant setting. Strong clinical reasoning and decision-making skills. Experience in supervising or mentoring others. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Desirable: Experience in community-based or integrated care settings. Knowledge of current legislation and frameworks relevant to occupational therapy. What We Offer: Supportive team environment with opportunities for professional development. Access to training and CPD. Commercial Services Trading Ltd is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.