Children and Adults Social Care Lawyer 5278538

Triumph Consultants Ltd; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading legal consultancy in Exeter is seeking a Principal Lawyer specializing in Childcare Law, with knowledge in Adult Social Care Law. This role involves managing complex legal cases and guiding a high-performing legal team. Candidates should have substantial experience in Childcare Law within a local authority context and possess strong influencing and communication skills. This position offers a hybrid working model, with a pay rate of £54.31 per hour.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in Childcare Law, ideally within a local authority setting.
• Working knowledge of Adult Social Care Law and its intersection with public law.
• Proven ability to manage high-performing legal teams.

Responsibilities

• Manage complex legal cases.
• Guide the team through high-profile cases.
• Advise on Judicial Review cases.

Skills

Childcare Law

Adult Social Care Law

People management

Influencing skills

Strategic decision-making

Education

Degree level education with Post Graduate qualification

Job description

Job Title: Children and Adults Social Care Lawyer

Ref: Devon 5278538

Pay rate: £54.31 per hour PAYE

Role length: Anticipated 4 - 5 months

Working arrangements: Hybrid working – a minimum of 2 days in the office and as the role requires

The role:

We are seeking an outstanding Principal Lawyer to lead a specialist legal team, with a particular focus on Childcare Law, with Adult Social Care Law as a secondary area of focus.

You will bring not only deep legal expertise but also exceptional people management skills and be able to foster a high-performing, motivated team and create a culture of professionalism, accountability, and support. You will need substantial experience in Childcare Law and working knowledge of Adult Social Care Law, and you will be expected to manage sensitive matters with professionalism and resilience.

Key responsibilities:

• Manage the most complex legal cases
• Guide the team through complex and high-profile cases, supervise, monitor and review all lawyers’ work on less complex cases
• Advise on and provide guidance relating to high profile cases/matters
• Manage Judicial Review cases
• Advise and influence the decisions and actions of Council Members and Senior Managers across the Council. Attend and advise at Council and Committee meetings, as required
• Support strategic decision-making across the Council and the strategic aims of client departments in line with the Council’s priorities
• Actively manage and review budgets for Legal Services to ensure spend is kept within the budget set and opportunities for income generation are met

What the client is looking for:

• Educated to Degree level with Post Graduate qualification as a solicitor, legal executive or barrister with admission and current membership of the Law Society or CILEX Professional qualification
• Substantial experience in Childcare Law, ideally within a local authority setting
• Working knowledge of Adult Social Care Law and its intersection with public law and safeguarding responsibilities
• Proven ability to manage and develop high-performing legal teams
• High-level influencing skills and political acumen
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills across internal and external stakeholders
• Experience advising senior leaders and contributing to strategic decision-making
• A collaborative and resilient leadership style, capable of managing emotionally complex and high-pressure legal matters
• A strategic mindset with the ability to balance legal risk, governance, and service priorities

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all qualified candidates.