Lawyer (Children & Families Legal Service)

Old Moat; Manchester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A local council in Manchester is seeking a qualified Solicitor to manage legal casework related to children and families. You will represent the Council in court and ensure compliance with legal standards. The ideal candidate should have strong advocacy skills and a commitment to self-development. This full-time position includes generous benefits such as a pension scheme and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Generous holiday allowance

Local government pension scheme

Enhanced parental leave

Learning and development opportunities

Volunteering leave

Qualifications

• Must have a working knowledge of local government law.
• Able to manage legal casework with minimal supervision.
• Experience in child and family law.

Responsibilities

• Represent the Council in complex contested proceedings.
• Draft legal documentation and provide client advice.
• Manage own caseload and attend court regularly.

Skills

Knowledge of local government law

Strong communication skills

Advocacy skills

Team collaboration

Education

Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive

Advocacy Certificate

Job description

About The Role

Working Hours: 35 hours per week
Contract type: Permanent, full time
Closing date: 11.59pm, 9 November 2025
Interview method: in person
Application: CV and detailed Expression of Interest setting out how your skills and experience meet the requirements on the attached role profile

This role is subject to:

• Qualification - qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive with Advocacy Certificate
• DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance - this post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (amended in 2013). Appointable candidates will be required to apply for a Standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Information provided by you or the DBS will be dealt with in a confidential manner and in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice which can be viewed here. We have a policy on the Employment of Ex-Offenders and it is available upon request.

This position may be subject to TUPE Transfer to Rochdale Borough Council.

The successful candidate whilst demonstrating a working knowledge of local government law will have the ability to manage an existing wide range of legal case work with minimum supervision.

You will:

• Have knowledge of the law relating to children and families and be able to develop existing advocacy skills to represent the Council in complex contested proceedings.
• Be a qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive with Advocacy Certificate, able and committed to working in a flexible manner including outside normal office hours, when the role necessitates the same.
• Be a key member of the group, confident and able to work independently and act upon your own initiative.
• Be able to evidence personal commitment to continuous self development and service improvement.

Legal Services of Manchester and Salford merged in 2012 and with Rochdale’s Children’s and Adult’s legal teams in 2017. There are 3x Lawyer roles within the Children & Families Legal Group.

About the Candidate

• Are your skills and legal mind being rewarded?
• Do you work together as part of a supportive team?
• Is your work wide-ranging and varied?
• Are you achieving your goals?
• Are you able to conduct your own advocacy?

You will be someone who works well as part of a team but equally can plan and complete your own work with minimal supervision. You will have your own caseload so the ability to manage your time effectively is essential. You will have excellent communications skills, both written and verbal, as you will need to draft legal documentation and provide advice to our clients. You will also represent the local authority at court on a regular basis. The role will suit someone who enjoys advocacy, which is a substantial part of the role as a childcare lawyer.

As part your application, please submit your Curriculum Vitae and detailed Expression of Interest setting out how your skills and experience meet the requirements on the attached role profile.

About Us

We’re the local council for one of the UK’s most vibrant and diverse cities.

Working for Manchester isn’t just a job – it’s an opportunity to contribute to a city that leads change and transforms lives. Whether it’s strengthening communities or driving innovation in public services, you’ll play a vital role in creating opportunities and shaping a brighter future for everyone.

Our Manchester is our vision for a fairer, greener, and healthier city – a vision shaped by the people of Manchester. It guides everything we do at the Council and is brought to life through the Our Manchester behaviours:

• We take time to listen and understand
• We work together and trust each other
• We show that we value our differences and treat each other fairly
• We ‘own it’ and we’re not afraid to try new things
• We’re proud and passionate about Manchester

Benefits we offer

• Generous holiday allowance- Enjoy up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays. Increasing to 31 days after five years of local government service. You can purchase up to two additional weeks.
• A buzzing pension- You’ll be enrolled in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme, with plenty of options to top up your benefits. Includes life cover of three-times your salary as a lump sum.
• Enhanced parental and carers leave- Take advantage of our enhanced family leave options, designed to provide ample time for you to bond with your new born or support your family during critical life events.
• Brilliant perks- Access a range of discounts, from saving on the weekly shop to holidays and days out with MCR+. Plus discounts on phone contracts, cycle to work scheme, free flu jabs and eye tests, and more.
• Learn and grow- We are dedicated to nurturing talent and providing you with the tools to thrive. Take part in a diverse set of learning opportunities, from workshops and training sessions through to apprenticeships and qualifications. All this begins with our comprehensive onboarding process.
• A Good Employment Charter member- We are committed to offering secure, flexible work and embedding fairness into everything we do. We review pay annually, recognize three trade unions, and are constantly working to offer the best possible health and wellbeing support throughout all stages of your working life.
• Up to 3 days volunteering leave- Give back to the community with three days pro-rata of paid volunteering leave, in addition to existing benefits.

Creating an Inclusive Team at Manchester City Council

At Manchester City Council, we’re dedicated to creating a workplace that truly reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, Disabled people and young people.

Support During the Process

• Interview Adjustments: Let us know if you need any adjustments to demonstrate your suitability during the interview.
• Accessible Formats: Our ReciteMe tool can be accessed through the "Accessibility tools" button at the top of our careers page. This tool offers features like text-to-speech, translation into multiple languages, and adjustable text size and colour to make our site more accessible for everyone.

Guaranteed Assessment Scheme

We guarantee assessments for applicants who meet the minimum shortlisting requirements for the role and identify with at least one of the following criteria:

• Members of the Armed Forces or veterans
• Current or former care leavers
• Have a disability or long-term condition
• If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme or any MCC positive action programme

If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme, please indicate this within the Supporting Statement section of your application.

When You Join Us

We’re a Disability Confident Employer, offering:

• A workplace adjustment hub which provides specialist support, advice and guidance to ensure you have the adjustments needed to thrive at work.
• Disabled Staff Network, Neurodiversity Staff Network and Mental Health Staff Network that provides a safe inclusive space to share experiences and opportunities to influence council practice.
• A strong commitment to ensuring all information adheres to accessibility standards and that our workplaces are accessible and disability-friendly.

For more information about the role or any adjustments, email [e-mail].

What we will need from you if you’re successful

In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy.

Pre-Employment Checks

If you are successful in securing a position with us, the pre-employment checks required will depend on the role you’ve applied for. As a guide, these checks may include:

• Proof of Right to Work: You’ll need to provide documentary evidence of your right to work in the UK. Visa sponsorship is not guaranteed for this role.
• References: We’ll require references from your current and previous employer(s).
• Proof of Qualifications: Evidence of qualifications relevant to the role will be required.
• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check: A criminal record check may be necessary, depending on the role.
• Proof of Manchester Residency: For some roles, you may need to demonstrate that you reside within the boundaries of Manchester City Council.
• Police Vetting: Some roles may require police vetting to ensure suitability for accessing sensitive information.
• Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) Clearance: BPSS clearance is primarily used for roles that involve access to government data, systems, or assets. It ensures that individuals meet basic security requirements.
• Driving Licence: If the role requires driving, we’ll need evidence of your valid driving licence.

These checks are an important part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our workforce and the community we serve.

Other relevant information

We want everyone to be able to be themselves at work and give their best. If you need additional support to undertake the duties of the role, we’ll make every effort to source any necessary aids, adaptations or equipment. If, however, any task proves to be unachievable, we will look at redesigning parts of the role.

For more information about the role, please ensure that you read the role profile attached.

Please note: information about pay and other services can be found on the related pages.