Senior Lawyer (Adult Social Care)

West Northamptonshire Council; Northampton; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dynamic legal team at a forward-thinking local authority, where you will have the opportunity to progress your legal career while making a meaningful impact in Adult Social Care. This role involves managing a full caseload, conducting litigation, and advising on critical legal matters such as the Care Act and Mental Health Act. You'll also play a key role in training and supervising junior staff, ensuring that the team operates efficiently. With generous benefits, ongoing professional development, and a commitment to work-life balance, this position is perfect for those looking to excel in their legal career while contributing positively to the community.

Benefits

Generous annual leave entitlement

Cycle to Work scheme

Local Government Pension Scheme

Employee discounts

Car Lease scheme

Payment of professional subscription

Employee Assistance Programme

Free membership to Commsave Credit Union

Ongoing training and development opportunities

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Valid practising certificate to practice as Solicitor, Barrister, or Fellow.
• Ability to hold a full caseload of Adult Social Care cases.

Responsibilities

• Conduct litigation on Adult Social Care matters including Judicial Reviews.
• Advise on Care Act, Mental Health Act, and safeguarding issues.

Skills

Adult Social Care

Litigation

Advising on Care Act

Teamwork

Time Management

Education

Practising Certificate as Solicitor or Barrister

Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives

Job description

Would you like to join a local authority where you can progress your legal career and be supported to excel professionally? If so, join the new Legal Team at West Northants Council, one of the newest and the fourth biggest Unitary Council in England.

We are continuing the growth of our new legal service with the addition of a Senior Lawyer in our Adult Social Care team.

What will you be doing?

If you have experience in Adult Social Care, we want to hear from you.

Your work will include:

• Holding a full caseload and conducting litigation in relation to matters including Community DOLs, s.21A challenges, s.16 welfare proceedings and Judicial Reviews.
• Advising on Care Act, Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act matters, including ordinary residence, continuing health care and s.117 aftercare.
• Responding to issues relating to safeguarding, finances and information governance.
• Assisting in the training and supervision of Senior Paralegals and Legal Assistants as may be required.

About you

You will:

• Hold a valid practising certificate to practice in England as a Solicitor, Barrister or Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives.
• Be able to hold a full caseload of Adult Social Care cases.
• Be able to work as part of a team.
• Be able to work to tight timelines and under pressure.

Our benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits to our employees, these include:

• Generous annual leave entitlement starting at 28 days annual leave per year, 29 days for senior managers (pro rata, depending on how many hours per week you work), plus bank holidays. An additional 5 days, linked to continuous service, and ability to purchase up to 6 weeks additional leave per year.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Local Government Pension Scheme plus immediate life cover (3 times your annual salary from day one) and ill-health protection.
• Employee discounts with local and national retailers, days out, finance, health and beauty, travel and eating out plus lots more.
• Car Lease scheme via Tusker.
• Payment of professional subscription / membership - If your job description requires that you are registered with or are a member of a professional body, WNC will pay for your professional subscription or membership fees.
• Employee Assistance Programme - We have an employee support programme run by Health Assured, an independent, external organisation. Health Assured is available for you and your immediate family members, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and includes telephone counselling, legal advice, bereavement support and medical information.
• Commsave- Free membership to Commsave Credit Union who provide a variety of savings accounts, loans, a monthly lottery draw and more!
• Ongoing training and development opportunities.
• A variety of flexible working options to support your work/life balance, including full or part time, term time, 9-day fortnight, etc. (subject to business needs).
• Our West Ways of Working - We want our workforce to thrive, and we equip our employees with the right technology to support hybrid and collaborative working, on or off site, depending on the role.
• Making a difference - If you want to use your skills and experience with an organisation that are genuinely invested in making a difference, are committed to improving people's lives, and whose success has a direct impact on the wellbeing of your family, friends and people in your local area, then West Northamptonshire Council is the place for you.