Senior Legal Counsel

Voyage Care Ltd; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel to manage regulatory compliance and coroner's inquests. The role requires a UK-qualified solicitor with over 8 years of PQE, ideally within healthcare or social care law. Responsibilities include advising on legal frameworks, supporting operational teams, and liaising with external counsel. The position offers benefits like a pension scheme, comprehensive training, and a flexible pay access app, making it an opportunity for passionate professionals wanting to contribute to the growth agenda responsibly.

Benefits

Pension scheme and life assurance

Enhanced family leave and wellbeing support

25 days annual leave plus birthday and bank holidays

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience working in healthcare or regulatory law.
• Strong understanding of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and CQC Regulations.
• Proven ability to manage sensitive issues with empathy.

Responsibilities

• Manage and advise on coroner’s inquests.
• Provide legal advice on CQC inspections and enforcement actions.
• Support operational teams with incident management.

Skills

UK-qualified solicitor or barrister with 8+ years’ PQE

Experience advising on coroner’s inquests and regulatory proceedings

Strong understanding of legal frameworks

Exceptional communication skills

Ability to influence senior stakeholders

Education

PQE in healthcare, inquests or regulatory law

Job description

Senior Legal Counsel – Regulatory and Inquests

Remote / Hybrid role with occasional travel to Group Support, Lichfield

About the Role

We’re seeking an experienced Senior Legal Counsel to join our in-house legal team. Reporting to the General Counsel, you will be responsible for managing and advising on all aspects of regulatory compliance and inquests affecting the Group. You will provide strategic and operational legal support to the business on matters involving the CQC, Local Authorities, Safeguarding, Coroners and other regulatory bodies.

You will play a key role in managing sensitive matters, supporting senior leaders, and promoting a culture of openness, learning, and continuous improvement.

In addition, you’ll deliver legal guidance across a broad range of legal areas affecting the Group, giving you exposure to varied work and the opportunity to advise on everything from routine queries to high-impact projects.

About Voyage Care

Voyage Care provides specialist support for people with learning disabilities, autism, brain and spinal injuries, and other complex conditions across the UK. With over 30 years’ experience, our passionate team of 11,000+ staff supports more than 3,500 individuals in residential, supported living, and outreach services.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and advise on all coroner’s inquests, including preparing witnesses, instructing counsel and representing the organisation’s interests.
• Provide legal advice on CQC inspections, enforcement actions and improvement plans.
• Advise on regulatory investigations, safeguarding incidents and information requests from public bodies.
• Support operational teams with incident management, internal investigations and learning reviews.
• Liaise with external counsel to ensure consistent, effective representation.
• Contribute to internal governance, risk management and compliance frameworks.
• Support strategic projects and advise on emerging legal and regulatory risks.
• Advise on regulatory matters affecting the social care sector.
• Provide clear, pragmatic legal advice to non-lawyer stakeholders across the business.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of internal processes, precedent documents, and risk management frameworks.

What We’re Looking For

• UK-qualified solicitor or barrister with 8+ years’ PQE (guideline) in healthcare, inquests or regulatory law.
• Significant experience advising on coroner’s inquests and regulatory proceedings, ideally within the health or social care sector.
• Strong understanding of relevant legal frameworks, including the Health and Social Care Act 2008, CQC Regulations, Mental Capacity Act and safeguarding legislation.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to manage sensitive and complex issues with empathy and professionalism.
• Proven ability to influence and build trust with senior stakeholders.
• Calm under pressure, with excellent judgement and attention to detail.
• Experience working in‑house or advising care providers, NHS bodies or regulators is highly desirable.
• Excellent communication, drafting, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and operate autonomously in a fast‑paced, values‑driven organisation.

Benefits

• Pension scheme and life assurance
• Long service awards
• Comprehensive induction and ongoing training
• 25 days annual leave plus birthday and bank holidays
• Employee discount app and funded Blue Light Card
• Enhanced family leave and wellbeing support
• Wagestream app for flexible pay access
• Refer-a-friend bonuses

Ready to Join Us?

If you’re passionate about making a difference and want to help us deliver our growth agenda responsibly and sustainably, we’d love to hear from you.

All successful candidates will be subject to an Enhanced DBS (England) or PVG (Scotland) check, including the Barred Adult List.