Lawyer (Childrens)

Cornwall Council; Truro; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible/Hybrid working

Defined benefit pension

Generous annual leave

Health & wellbeing programme

Discounts on goods/services

Job summary

Cornwall Council’s Children’s Legal Team is seeking a skilled Lawyer to manage a caseload of children’s matters, supported by a Legal Assistant and supervised by a Senior Lawyer. The role offers autonomy within a collaborative team focused on safeguarding children.

We offer hybrid working, flexibility, and opportunities for professional development, with a criminal record disclosure check required. Applications welcome from solicitors, CILEX, or barristers.

Qualifications

• A Solicitor, CILEX Lawyer or Barrister (with litigation rights) including newly qualified professionals.
• Experience in children’s social care, public law or local government practice.
• Ability to analyse complex information and apply the law practically.
• Comfortable working collaboratively and escalating issues when needed.
• Organised, professional and committed to public service values.

Responsibilities

• Conduct and progress complex children’s legal cases with deadlines and service standards.
• Undertake legal research, drafting, negotiation and advocacy.
• Work across Legal Services and Children’s Services to improve service delivery and manage risk.
• Maintain up-to-date legal knowledge and advise on changes in law and practice.
• Provide high-quality legal advice to officers, senior leaders and elected Members.

Skills

Solicitor/CILEX/Barrister

Public law / Local government

Children’s social care experience

Analytical/problem solving

Team collaboration

Education

Qualified lawyer (Solicitor/CILEX/Barrister)

Job description

The Service & Team:

Cornwall Council’s Children’s Legal Team plays a central role in safeguarding children and young people across the county. We are looking for a skilled and committed Lawyer to join our supportive and experienced team, advising on sensitive and high‑profile matters at the heart of the Council’s work to protect children.

The Role:

As a Lawyer in our Children’s Legal Team, you will manage your own caseload of children’s legal matters, supported by a Legal Assistant and supervised by a Senior Lawyer. You will have the autonomy to take ownership of your cases while working within a collaborative team environment that provides the guidance and support needed to develop and thrive.

This is a challenging and rewarding role offering the opportunity to work on complex public law matters that make a genuine difference to children and families, while helping the Council meet its statutory and safeguarding responsibilities.

You will:

• Conduct and progress complex children’s legal cases, ensuring court deadlines, procedural requirements and service standards are met, while keeping clients and stakeholders appropriately informed
• Undertake legal research, drafting, negotiation and advocacy where authorised, including representation before courts, tribunals and public inquiries
• Work collaboratively across Legal Services and Children’s Services to improve service delivery, manage risk and support council priorities
• Maintain up‑to‑date legal knowledge and advise client services on relevant changes in law and practice
• Provide clear, high-quality legal advice to officers, senior leaders and elected Members, including Council, Cabinet and Committee meetings

This is a public/customer-facing role, where the statutory English language requirement for public sector workers applies.

This position will be subject to a standard criminal record disclosure check.

Why Join Us?

Joining Cornwall Council means more than just working in a legal role, it’s a chance to build a fulfilling career with opportunities for growth and progression. We offer a flexible, supportive environment with a focus on both professional development and work‑life balance. Whether through hybrid working options or flexible working hours, we ensure our team members can manage both their personal and professional commitments effectively.

Don’t worry if you don’t have local government experience as we’ll give you the support you need to excel with us. By joining us, you will be at the forefront of shaping Children’s legal services for Cornwall, working collaboratively with dedicated colleagues while advancing your career in a supportive environment.

As one of the largest unitary authorities in the UK, you'll be contributing to a team that ensures Cornwall has a strong and united voice when engaging with national government, regional agencies, and partner organisations.

Working Pattern:

We have both full time (37 hours) and part time (18.5 hours) vacancies available, with part‑time, flexible and hybrid working options considered. Remote working is available alongside office‑based collaboration, subject to service needs.

What you’ll need to succeed:

This role would suit you if you are:

• A Solicitor, CILEX Lawyer or Barrister (with litigation rights) including newly qualified professionals
• Interested in, or experienced in, children’s social care, public law or local government practice, with a commitment to developing specialist expertise in this area
• Confident analysing complex information and applying the law in a practical, solutions‑focused way
• Comfortable working collaboratively, knowing when to escalated issues and seek support
• Organised, professional and committed to public service values

Please read the role profile for the full details of this role attached below in this advert

What you’ll get in return:

Cornwall Council’s ambition is to be an employer of choice, a high performing Council and a learning organisation. We commit to providing a reward and benefits package to attract, motivate and reward our employees. We offer a range of flexible working options to our staff. This helps provide our employees with a greater work/life balance. Whilst still ensuring that service needs are met.

• a competitive salary.
• a defined benefit pension scheme, based on your career average earnings. This includes the option for extra voluntary contributions
• a generous annual leave entitlement with the potential to purchase additional leave.
• A national award-winning employee health and wellbeing programme
• Employee benefits scheme giving employees access to a wide range of discounts to local and national goods and services.

Additional Information:

Cornwall Council is unable to offer visa sponsorship or transfer existing sponsorship for this role.

The full role profile is attached here

We recommend saving a copy of this to refer to if you are invited to an interview.

For more information or an informal chat about the role please contact Alison White - [e-mail]