Paralegal Officer (Education) | Preston

NW Legal Consortium; Preston; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days leave

Flexible working

Health and wellbeing

Family-friendly policies

Travel benefits

Training opportunities

Job summary

Lancashire County Council in Preston seeks a Paralegal to provide legal and administrative support to Lawyers within the Adult Social Care, Education and Employment Teams, with a primary focus on Education law matters. You will assist in providing legal advice to schools and educational settings, and draft routine documents under supervision to deliver a high-quality service to stakeholders.

You will have a legal qualification or be working towards one, with experience in a legal environment and

Qualifications

• Further-level legal qualification or working towards.
• Experience in a legal environment.
• Experience supporting lawyers in a legal practice or in-house service.
• Knowledge of Employment or Education Law desirable.
• Experience in a Local Authority environment desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal and administrative support to Lawyers in Adult Social Care, Education and Employment Teams with a focus on Education law.
• Support the provision of legal advice and assistance to schools and educational settings under agreed service levels.
• Undertake legal research, prepare documentation and draft routine correspondence, reports and legal advice under supervision.
• Communicate with stakeholders at all levels and explain legal/procedural issues to non-legal audiences.
• Contribute to delivering a high-quality customer-focused legal service to councils and educational settings.

Skills

Legal research

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Analytical skills

Explain legal issues

Education

Law qualification (degree/LPC/Ilex)

Job description

Job Description

Salary £32,061 to £36,363 Per annum | Fixed-Term 18 month contract, Full Time, 37 hours per week | Preston, Lancashire, United Kingdom

We’re looking for a passionate and enthusiastic Paralegal with the drive and passion to deliver an effective and very specialist service to our stakeholders.

The role will be on a fixed-term basis for a period of 18-months.

About The Role

The role will provide legal and administrative support to Lawyers within our Adult Social Care, Education and Employment Teams, with a primary focus on Education law matters.

You’ll support the provision of legal advice and assistance to schools and educational settings whilst adhering to agreed service level agreements.

As a Paralegal you’ll undertake legal research, prepare documentation and draft routine correspondence, reports and legal advice under appropriate supervision in order to provide a high-quality customer-focused legal service to schools, educational settings and council stakeholders.

About You

You’ll be an ambitious & experienced Legal professional looking to take the next step in your career possessing the drive and passion to create a better environment for the people within our region.

You’ll ideally have a further-level legal qualification (e.g. Degree, LPC or Ilex) or working towards

You’ll have previous experience of working within a legal environment

You’ll have experience of working within a team supporting Lawyers in either a legal practice or an in-house legal service

Previous knowledge or experience within Employment or Education Law would be highly desirable

Previous experience within a Local Authority environment would be highly desireable

You’ll be an excellent communicator able and comfortable communicating with a range of stakeholders at all levels

You’ll be comfortable explaining legal and procedural issues to non-legal audiences

You’ll be able to demonstrate strong analytical and legal research skills

About Us

At Lancashire County Council, we’re committed to delivering services that make a real difference to the people and communities we serve. Our Information Governance Team is at the heart of that mission, helping ensure transparency, accountability and the responsible use of information.

When you join us, you’ll become part of a supportive and knowledgeable team where your expertise is valued, your development is encouraged and your contribution has a direct impact across the organisation.

In return, we offer:

26 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Flexible working opportunities

Health and wellbeing support

Family-friendly policies

Financial and travel benefits

Training and development opportunities

Local Government Reorganisation

The Government has confirmed that local government across Lancashire will be reorganised, with the current 15 councils being replaced by four new unitary councils covering North, South, East and West Lancashire from April 2028.

If you are successful in your application, you will initially join Lancashire County Council. However, as part of the planned transition, your employment will transfer to one of the new unitary councils from April 2028, subject to the implementation of the reorganisation and relevant employment legislation.

Throughout this period, our focus remains on delivering excellent services to our communities. By joining us now, you’ll play an important role in shaping the future of local government and helping to build a strong new organisation that will serve residents for years to come.

We reserve the right to close down a vacancy early, before the closing date, if we receive sufficient applications.