Adult Social Care Lawyer

CRA Legal; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government entity in Sheffield is seeking a Senior Lawyer to lead the Adult Social Care legal team. This hybrid position involves managing high-profile cases and providing expert legal advocacy. Applicants need to be qualified solicitors with significant public sector experience. A competitive salary and generous benefits, including extensive annual leave and a strong pension scheme, are offered.

Benefits

Generous annual leave: 26 days + bank holidays

Outstanding pension: ~19% employer contribution

Health & wellbeing support

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• 3+ years' PQE in Adult Social Care law.
• Experience in leading complex public sector legal teams.
• Passion for public service and improving outcomes for vulnerable adults.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of Lawyers and Officers.
• Ensure quality and timely delivery of legal work.
• Provide expert advocacy at court and committees.

Skills

Leadership in public sector

Legal risk assessment

Strong communication

Case management skills

Advocacy and representation

Education

Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or FCILEX

Job description

Role: Senior Lawyer - Adult Social Care
Employer: Sheffield City Council (recruited by CRA Consulting)
Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire (Hybrid - typically one office day per week, plus court/committee as required)
Salary: £50,788 - £54,928 per annum
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Team: Legal & Governance (Adult Social Care)

Make a direct impact on vulnerable adults in Sheffield.
Sheffield City Council leads with purpose, placing people and communities at the centre of everything it does. We're seeking a senior public law professional to steer complex Adult Social Care matters and lead a capable team within our Legal & Governance service.

The Opportunity

You'll exercise genuine professional autonomy while delivering high-quality legal services across the full spectrum of Adult Social Care work. This is a hybrid role: work from home with regular (weekly) office attendance and in-person advocacy/meetings when required.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of Lawyers, Professional Officers and Assistant Professional Officers
• Ensure quality, integrity and timely delivery of Adult Social Care legal work
• Allocate, supervise and personally handle complex, high-profile matters
• Provide expert advocacy and representation at court, committees, boards and panels
• Drive continuous improvement, innovation and efficiency across the team
• Recruit, train and develop colleagues aligned to service and Council goals
• Collaborate with the Legal Leadership Team to deliver high-quality, value-led services

About You

• Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or FCILEX with 3+ years' PQE
• Proven leadership in a complex public sector environment
• Deep knowledge of Adult Social Care law and statutory services
• Strong legal risk assessment, drafting and case management skills (incl. digital systems)
• Confident communicator and advocate across courts, committees and senior stakeholders
• Track record of recruiting, mentoring and inspiring high-performing legal teams
• Passionate about public service and improving outcomes for vulnerable adults

Benefits & Work/Life

• Generous annual leave: 26 days + bank holidays (rising to 31 after 5 years); option to buy additional leave
• Outstanding pension: ~19% employer contribution via the LGPS
• Flexible working: hybrid, part-time, job share and term-time options
• Health & wellbeing support: Occupational Health, eye care vouchers, confidential EAP
• Inclusive culture: employee networks and equality hubs
• Learning & development: e-learning, coaching and wide-ranging professional development

How to Apply

Please send your CV and a brief covering letter quoting "Senior Lawyer - Adult Social Care (SCC)" to Rob Addy, CRA Consulting at [e-mail].

Equal Opportunities
Sheffield City Council and CRA Consulting are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates.