Legal Assistant

East Midlands Councils/East Midlands Jobs; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government council in the UK seeks a proactive Child Protection Legal Assistant to join its Family, Safeguarding and Education Team. This fixed-term role involves supporting Lawyers in Child Protection matters, including adoption and court work. The position offers a competitive salary, generous leave, and flexible working options. The team promotes a friendly workplace culture, with benefits such as training opportunities, mentorship, and a wellbeing package. Flexible work arrangements allow for home working while requiring office presence once weekly.

Benefits

Grade 9 Salary £32,347 -£34,317

25 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays

Flexi time allowance

Training and development opportunities

Generous local government pension scheme

Wellbeing package

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Support Lawyers advising Childrens Services on Child Protection matters.
• Assist Lawyers in conducting Court work.
• Engage with social workers and Court staff.

Responsibilities

• Provide support for pre-proceedings matters.
• Liaise effectively with the wider team and external partners.
• Manage varied workload within a friendly team environment.

Skills

Proficiency in IT software

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Motivational skills

Job description

Closing date: 11 January 2026

Working in local government is a highly satisfying and rewarding experience in so many ways, and you will enjoy an excellent range of benefits at Derbyshire County Council.

We recognise that our workforce is our greatest asset, and we are currently looking for an inspired and proactive person to join our Family, Safeguarding and Education Team.

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Legal department for an enthusiastic and committed individual to work as a Fixed Term Child Protection Legal assistant to support our team of Child Protection Lawyers and other Legal Assistants who work within a busy yet friendly team environment.

On a day-to-day basis you will be supporting Lawyers who are advising and representing Childrens Services on matters of Child Protection including adoption. Your workload will be varied but will include offering support in pre-proceedings matters and assisting Lawyers conducting Court work.

You will regularly need to liaise with the wider team, social workers, Lawyers and Court staff.

You will need to be proficient in using IT software, and have good organisational, motivational, and interpersonal skills in order to ensure the continued delivery of an efficient and effective service by the legal department.

The Job and Person Specification contains full details of the skills and experience you need to have for the role.

In return for your commitment, we offer you:

• Grade 9 Salary £32,347 -£34,317 depending on experience.
• 25 days of annual leave plus 8 bank holidays
• Good work/life balance including Flexi time, allowing up to an additional 2 days of leave per month
• Training and development opportunities
• Mentoring
• A supportive team environment.
• Generous local government pension scheme
• Guaranteed incremental annual pay increases
• Access to a comprehensive wellbeing package
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounts at selected county leisure centres
• and much more!

Legal Services are contractually based in Matlock, Derbyshire, but as part of our Modern Ways of Working programme we are currently working on a hybrid basis. As flexible workers, you will be able to work from home. It is a requirement that you will be able to work in the office once per week and meetings, where necessary.

We're always pleased to hear from talented people so if you're looking to join a dynamic team and have the skills and experience, we're looking for, then we'd like to hear from you.

After reading the documentation supplied you would like to have an informal chat about this role, get in touch with Linzi Olney ([e-mail]), Jeanette Bloor ([e-mail]) or Angela Baldwin ([e-mail])

Provisional Interview Date: 29th January 2026