Education Lawyer

Reading Borough Council; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking local government legal team as an Education Lawyer, where you will manage SEN appeals and provide expert legal advice. This role offers a dynamic and supportive environment, emphasizing collaboration and innovation. You'll engage with diverse stakeholders, ensuring compliance with education law while advocating in SEND Tribunals. Enjoy generous holiday entitlements, flexible working options, and a modern working environment. Be part of a recognized center of excellence in education law, contributing to meaningful changes in the community.

Benefits

Generous holiday entitlement

Flexible working opportunities

Local Government Pension Scheme

Life Assurance

On-site nursery

Season Ticket Loan

Lease car salary sacrifice scheme

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of education legislation and SEN appeals.
• Current practising certificate to practice in England.

Responsibilities

• Manage SEN appeals and provide legal advice on education law.
• Advocate in SEND Tribunals and guide stakeholders strategically.

Skills

Education Law Knowledge

SEN Appeals Handling

Advocacy Skills

Stakeholder Engagement

Education

Solicitor or Barrister Qualification

Chartered Institute of Legal Executives Fellowship

Job description

Are you ready to make a meaningful impact in education law? We're looking for a dedicated and skilled education lawyer to join our Adult Social Care and Education Team at Reading Borough Council.

Now is the perfect time to be part of our journey as we strive to be the best place to practice law in local government — close to our customers, investing in the best talent, leveraging legal technology, and expanding our business to new partners.

Reading's Legal Service provides professional, high-quality legal advice and representation to support the Council and its partners. Our Joint Legal Team is a long-standing shared service for all Berkshire councils and a recognized centre of excellence for childcare, adults, and education law. We also lead an internal Corporate Legal Team handling a wide range of legal matters for the Council. The team is high-performing and was recently shortlisted as Legal Team of the Year by Lawyers in Local Government (LLG).

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of applicants, as diversity and inclusion are key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and committed to the recruitment and ongoing employment of people with disabilities.

We are open to flexible working patterns and can provide a hybrid working environment, combining office work in central Reading with homeworking according to service needs.

About The Role

As an Education Lawyer, you will manage a caseload of SEN appeals, providing expert legal advice and ensuring compliance with education law frameworks through judicial reviews. You will give strategic guidance to a diverse range of stakeholders and take responsibility for advocacy in SEND Tribunals.

Working within a dynamic and supportive team, you will thrive in a fast-paced environment, meeting tight deadlines while delivering effective legal solutions.

About You

Our ideal candidate will have a strong working knowledge of key education legislation, with expertise in handling SEN appeals and conducting advocacy at SEND Tribunals. They should hold a current practising certificate, qualifying them to practice in England as a Solicitor, Barrister, or Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives, with post-qualification experience in education law, including SEN appeals.

The role requires effective performance under pressure, meeting deadlines while maintaining high-quality legal support. A collaborative approach is essential, as the candidate will work closely within a team to provide strategic advice to stakeholders. Strong advocacy skills and the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders are key to success.

Our Offer

We provide a supportive environment for career growth and development, encouraging innovation and ambition within a friendly, collaborative setting.

Salary and Benefits include:

1. Generous holiday entitlement: 25 days plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years, with options to buy additional leave.
2. Flexible working opportunities.
3. Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in Reading.
4. Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
5. Life Assurance: three times your annual salary (LGPS members).
6. On-site nursery (Kennet Day Nursery), rated outstanding by Ofsted.
7. Season Ticket Loan for travel costs.
8. Lease car salary sacrifice scheme for a new, eco-friendly car, including insurance, servicing, and road tax.

For more information, please contact Lindsey Marks, Strategic Lead for Adult Social Care and Education.

Closing Date: 26th May 2025

Interview Date: To be confirmed.

Note: The closing date is a guideline; the vacancy may close early once enough applications are received. Apply promptly to avoid missing out.

Proud to be a Disability Confident employer. We encourage applicants with disabilities to apply, as we are committed to providing equal opportunities.