Principal Lawyer (Adults & Education)

Cheshire East; Crewe; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Crewe is seeking a Principal Lawyer to lead a legal team focused on Adult Social Care and Education law. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, legal expertise, and experience within a Local Authority context. This role offers opportunities for professional growth, flexible working arrangements, and a comprehensive benefits package, including enhanced annual leave and pension contributions.

Benefits

Enhanced Annual Leave

Enhanced Public Pension

Flexible Working Pattern

Purchase of Annual Leave

Cycle to Work Scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Paid Volunteer Leave

Virgin Media and O2 Discounts

Discounted Gym Memberships

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge in Adult Social Care and/or Education law is required.
• Ability to provide legal and procedural advice.
• Experience in a Local Authority setting is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage a legal team dealing with various public sector adult matters.
• Advise on policy, strategy, and procedure for adult social care and education.
• Research effects of law changes on service provision.

Skills

Leadership and staff supervision

Good communication skills

Analytical and problem-solving skills

Customer care skills

Education

Qualified Solicitor or Barrister

Job description

Overview

Principal Lawyer (Adults & Education). We are looking for an experienced and committed Principal Lawyer to manage a legal team dealing with a range of matters including:

• Care Act
• Mental Health Act, Community Care & Mental Capacity Act
• Education law including school appeals & SEND Tribunal work

This is a busy and supportive team, and the role is a challenging and dynamic one, looking forward to the future.

About You

As a Principal Lawyer (Adults & Education) you will sit within our People legal team, supporting the Legal Team Manager (People) in the management of the team and working collaboratively with Officers and elected Members.

We are looking for a qualified Solicitor or Barrister with extensive knowledge in Adult Social Care and/or Education work along with a demonstrable ability and willingness to transfer your legal skills to areas of the team’s work that may not be currently within your expertise.

You will be able to research and anticipate the effects on service provision of new developments in the law for clients; provide legal and procedural advice and training to clients as required and supervise colleagues in the Legal Service as appropriate.

An example of the work you will be undertaking will include, managing a team undertaking public sector adult matters, such as mental health, Deprivation of liberty, community care, safeguarding, ordinary residence & Court of Protection.

You will advise on policy, strategy & procedure relating to both adult social care and education matters and be involved in advising upon committee reports and at committee meetings.

Candidates with experience from a Local Authority setting would be preferable, as a sound understanding of local government and administrative law, and an appreciation of the challenges facing local authorities will be key to your role.

You will have good communication and presentation skills, good customer care skills and good analytical and problem-solving skills. The ability to work under pressure to deadlines, and well-developed leadership and staff supervision skills is essential. You will ideally have experience of attending committees and be able to attend occasional evening meetings.

What We Give In Return

• Enhanced Annual Leave - 34 days annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays) from day 1, increasing up to 39 days after only 5 years' service
• Enhanced Public Pension - A career average pension (contributions built at a rate of 1/49th of your yearly pensionable pay)
• Flexible Working Pattern - 37-hour standard full time working week and hybrid/remote working arrangements
• Purchase of Annual Leave - The ability to purchase up to 10 days' extra annual leave each year in addition to your normal annual leave entitlements (pro-rata for part time staff)
• Cycle to Work Scheme - Receive up Income Tax and National Insurance savings of up to 25-39% off the retail price of the bike and safety equipment package
• Employee Assistance Programme - A completely free to use and confidential assistance service for all employees to help staff manage life issues
• Paid Volunteer Leave – Up to two days paid leave per year to volunteer for local organisations in the borough of Cheshire East
• Virgin Media and O2 Discounts - Exclusive discounts on Virgin Media Broadband and O2 pay monthly plans
• Discounted Gym Memberships - Access to corporate membership prices for Everybody Leisure including gym, swim and group fitness

To find out more about our rewards and benefits package, please click on the following link: Employee benefits (cheshireeast.gov.uk)

How to Apply

If you want to be part of Cheshire East Council and contribute to our ongoing success, have the flexibility and drive to enable us to innovate, are committed to working as part of a team and striving to deliver exceptional service wherever you can, we would especially like to hear from you.

To apply for the role please click apply for this job at the bottom of the page, or for an informal chat about the role please contact: Jennie Summers – Acting Head of Legal Services via email [e-mail]. CVs or applications sent by email will not be accepted.