Adult Social Care Solicitor

Luton Borough Council; Luton; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

FQPS Academy Ltd. is seeking a qualified Solicitor, Barrister or FCILEx with England practising certificate to join Luton Council's legal team. You will advise on Adult Social Care matters, manage a varied caseload, and represent the Council in courts and tribunals.

With at least four years PQE, you'll handle Care Act, Mental Capacity Act, and safeguarding issues, working collaboratively with social care colleagues to ensure compliant, effective outcomes for residents.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor, barrister or FCILEx with current practising certificate in England.
• At least four years PQE in Adult Social Care matters.
• Experience representing the Council in courts/tribunals.
• Strong knowledge of Care Act, Mental Capacity Act, and data protection law.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality legal advice to Luton Council on Adult Social Care issues.
• Manage a varied caseload and advocate in courts/tribunals.
• Draft legal documents and manage Court of Protection proceedings.
• Collaborate with social care teams and external counsel.

Skills

Advocacy experience

Caseload management

Legal analysis

Communication skills

Education

Qualified Solicitor or Barrister or FCILEx

Practising certificate in England

Job description

Hours: 37 hours a week

Contract type: Permanent

Please note this role does not attract sponsorship.

What You’ll be doing

You’ll provide high-quality legal advice to Luton Council on a range of Adult Social Care matters, helping officers and elected members make informed decisions and meet their statutory responsibilities. Managing your own varied caseload, you’ll work on complex issues involving the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005, Mental Health Act 1983, safeguarding adults and human rights.

You’ll prepare legal documents, manage Court of Protection proceedings, advise on deprivation of liberty matters and represent the Council in court and tribunal hearings. You’ll also work closely with social care teams, attend safeguarding meetings and collaborate with colleagues and external counsel to achieve effective outcomes.

This is an opportunity to develop your expertise and progress your legal career while contributing to important work that protects vulnerable adults. You’ll also support the development of legal guidance and precedents, share your knowledge with colleagues and help improve the delivery of the Council’s legal services.

What we’re looking for

You’ll be a qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (FCILEx), with a current practising certificate in England and at least four years’ post-qualification experience (PQE). You’ll have experience managing an Adult Social Care caseload and advocacy experience in adult cases before courts or tribunals.

You’ll bring a sound working knowledge of community care, mental capacity, mental health, civil procedure, evidence and data protection law. You’ll be confident analysing complex issues, drafting clear legal documents and making sound decisions, with the ability to manage competing priorities and work both independently and collaboratively.

With strong communication, negotiation and organisational skills, you’ll be committed to equality, professional development and delivering practical, high-quality legal advice. You’ll also be flexible to attend court hearings, meetings and Council offices as required, with agile working arrangements to meet the needs of the service.

About Us

Our ambitious Luton 2040 Vision – that no-one in Luton will have to live in poverty – is at the heart of everything we do. We recognise that our people are remarkable, talented, committed and passionate about serving our residents.

The people of Luton depend heavily on this council – and that means our workforce! Are you ready to realise the remarkable and help us deliver our vision?

Application Process
LBC employees and LBC agency workers may apply for this position.

Because of the nature of this job, it will be necessary for the appropriate level of criminal record disclosure to be undertaken. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare all unspent cautions and convictions; and also any adult cautions (simple or conditional), and spent convictions that are not protected as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020). A person’s criminal record will not in itself prevent a person from being appointed to this post. Applicants will not be refused posts because of offences which are not relevant to, and do not place them at or make them a risk in, the role for which they are applying. However in the event of the employment being taken up, any failure to disclose such offence, as detailed above, will result in dismissal or disciplinary action by the Authority.

QWE

Will this role count as your QWE, and who will confirm it?

Check it against the SRA’s questions in two minutes. If there is no COLP or solicitor where you work, the SRA lets a solicitor outside confirm it: an FQPS solicitor can, from £149.