Paralegal

SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

LGPS

Flexible working

Career development

Volunteer days

Job summary

Suffolk County Council is seeking a Paralegal to join the Children's Safeguarding Team. You will support lawyers, prepare documents, research issues, manage casework and liaise with clients across the organisation.

This role offers public sector experience, opportunities to develop legal knowledge and contribute to meaningful work serving local residents. You will work alongside experienced lawyers in a collaborative environment; DBS checks may be required.

Qualifications

• Honours degree or relevant work experience in a legal setting.
• Excellent organisational and attention to detail with flexible but rigorous approach.
• Clear and professional communication.
• Willingness and aptitude for learning and collaboration with colleagues and client officers.
• Experience in civil or safeguarding legal work is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Supporting lawyers, advocates and caseworkers in care proceedings
• Liaising with clients in Children's Services
• Preparing court bundles
• Arranging DNA testing and drug testing
• Liaising with external solicitor firms and the Family Court
• Arranging legal representation for court hearings
• Providing administrative support such as file and diary management

Skills

Organisational skills

Attention to detail

Clear communication

Willingness to learn

Collaboration

Education

Honours degree

Legal work experience

Job description

As a modern, flexible and effective organisation, at Suffolk County Council we're driven to make a positive difference to the environment, the communities we serve and the careers of our people. That's why, when you join us as a Paralegal, you'll be encouraged to share your fresh thinking and empowered to explore new ideas that will shape and improve our services as well as your career. Reimagine the possibilities. Your role and responsibilities As a Paralegal in the Children's Safeguarding Team, you'll play an important role in helping Suffolk County Council deliver high-quality legal support that makes a real difference to communities across Suffolk. Working alongside experienced lawyers, you'll assist with a wide range of legal matters, preparing documents, researching issues, managing casework and supporting clients across the organisation. This is a varied and rewarding role where no two days are the same. You'll build strong relationships with colleagues and stakeholders, provide clear and practical advice on legal processes, and help ensure the Council's interests are protected. It's an excellent opportunity to develop your legal knowledge, gain valuable public sector experience and contribute to meaningful work that supports local residents and services.

Key Responsibilities

• Supporting lawyers, advocates and caseworkers in care proceedings
• Liaising with clients in Children's Services
• Preparing court bundles
• Arranging DNA testing and drug testing
• Liaising with external solicitor firms and the Family Court
• Arranging legal representation for court hearings
• Providing crucial support to your colleagues by performing administrative tasks such as file and diary management

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.

Requirements

• excellent organisational skills and attention to detail with a flexible but rigorous approach to your work
• the ability to use and adapt to technology to promote efficiency and productivity
• clear and professional communication
• a willingness and aptitude for learning
• to enjoy collaboration with colleagues and client officers
• to have an honours degree and/or relevant work experience in a legal setting

Legal Services is made up of teams specialising in Safeguarding (Children and Adults), Education, Commercial, Planning, Property and Highways, Disputes & Employment, and Local Land Charges. Paralegals are enabled to move between the teams, when required by the needs of the organisation, which brings opportunities for building a broad skillset and identifying routes for career development.

Staff are expected to attend the office 40% of their working week (2 days if working full time) to include their teams allocated office day.

We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our .

Empowering Everyone We're big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We're always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve.

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We're driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you'll enjoy:

• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day