R2R103597 Senior Lawyer Social Care Services Permanent

Southend-on-Sea City Council; Southend-on-Sea; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority is seeking a permanent full-time Senior Lawyer to join its Legal Services team. The successful candidate will manage care and adoption proceedings, advise on Deprivation of Liberty cases, and represent the Council in court. The role offers hybrid working, requiring a minimum of two days on-site at the Civic Centre. Ideal candidates should be qualified, with at least three years of experience in social care and local government law. A range of benefits including leave and training opportunities are provided.

Benefits

25 days annual leave

Flexible working

Excellent training and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Qualified to practice law in England & Wales.
• Experience in social care sector and local government.
• Proven track record in public sector legal roles.

Responsibilities

• Advise and manage care proceedings.
• Draft documents under Children Act 1989.
• Represent the Council in court.

Skills

Excellent communication

Interpersonal skills

Ability to manage complex workloads

Education

Qualified Solicitor / Barrister / Legal Executive

3 years post-qualification experience

Job description

Your New Organisation

Southend-on-Sea is a vibrant and diverse coastal city known for its long beaches and famous pier. As one of the UK’s newest cities (over 200,000 residents and growing) and with its proximity to London, Southend is focused on the future with ambitious strategic plans. The Director of Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer has restructured the Legal Services team to match these broader ambitions.

Your new role

Southend City Council are looking to appoint a permanent full‑time Senior Lawyer.

As a lawyer within the Council’s well‑respected Legal Services team you will be managing and advising on all aspects of care proceedings, adoption proceedings and dealing with international issues as and when necessary.

Within this position hybrid working opportunities are available. However you are required to be on‑site at the Civic Centre a minimum of 2 days a week.

Responsibilities

• Advising on and managing all aspects of care proceedings.
• Drafting all documents relating to applications under the Children Act 1989, including case management documents, threshold statements, orders and case summaries as necessary.
• Representing the Council at court.
• Advising and managing DOL (Deprivation of Liberty) and Secure Accommodation proceedings.
• Dealing with S7 and S37 matters.
• Lead and take responsibility for routine and complex cases, including High Court applications and Judicial Reviews as necessary.
• Manage up to three legal assistants, empowering and engaging them to continually improve and deliver successful outcomes.

Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor / Barrister / Legal Executive with a current England & Wales practising certificate.
• 3 years post‑qualification experience within the social care sector.
• Understanding of local government and experience of working in a political environment.
• In‑depth knowledge of relevant legislation, policies and procedures.
• Proven experience in the public sector, ideally local government.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage complex workloads.
• Commitment to continuous professional development and training.

Benefits

When joining the council you can enjoy a range of benefits including 25 days annual leave, flexible working and excellent training and development opportunities. They are committed to ensuring that you are supported in this varied and challenging role with the appropriate level of training. A full list of benefits provided by Southend Council can be viewed on the Why Work For Us tab.

Application

If you are interested in this role please click apply online to forward an up‑to‑date copy of your CV.

If you would like a copy of the Job Description please click here.

If you need further information that isn’t in the JD please contact Nathalie.

Please note: Applications for this vacancy may close prior to the date advertised above, so you are advised to apply as soon as you are able to.

All applicants for this role will require a standard DBS check.

Equal Opportunities

The Council is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications regardless of race, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, age or religion or belief.