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Form of work
SalaryAs a Principal Legal Officer you will be a qualified solicitor, barrister or Cilex lawyer (with Legal Executive Advocate Certificate (Family Proceedings) with a passion for children’s social care law and protecting the most vulnerable members of our city.
Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.
About you
As a Principal Legal Officer you will bring to the role:
- Knowledge and of children’s social care law
- Advocacy skills to represent the local authority in different levels of tribunal
- Advise on complex issues
- Work flexibly as part of a team
- Excellent communication skills
About the role
This is an opportunity to protect and safeguard the most vulnerable members of the city, whilst contributing to the policies and decision making about this complex and interesting area of law.
As our next Principal Legal Officer (PO4 or PO6) you will have the opportunity to develop your skills, knowledge and experience, with the support of an excellent team of colleagues. Including team managers, other lawyers, senior and Legal Officers, and legal assistants.
The role is integral to our Social Care, Legal Section which supports and advises an Ofsted rated ‘outstanding’ Childrens and Families department, on a range of social care matters including safeguarding, private law, adoption, forced marriage, and deprivation of liberty. The section consists of over 30 colleagues with a wealth of knowledge and experience and a commitment to providing the very best service.
What we offer you
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:
- a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
- membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
- flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
- a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
- a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
How to apply
Apply for this job online. Please upload your CV and complete a personal statement of no more than 500 words.
Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.
If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Rebecca Roberts, Section Head. Call 0113 3789134 or email rebecca.roberts@leeds.gov.uk
Interviews dates to be confirmed.
We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is an Inclusive employer, ranked 70 on the Stonewall top 100 employers 2023 list. We are also an Age friendly employer, a Mindful employer and a Disability Confident leader.
All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period.
This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.
Job Description
Job Purpose
To provide a high quality, value for money legal service, which actively supports the delivery of the Council’s strategic objectives as set out in the Best Council Plan.
To undertake a substantial personal caseload of legal professional work in the area of Children’s Social Care law. The post holder will be expected to have this areas of work as a focus but also to provide support on other areas of child care related law (eg private Children Act matters) as required, and any other local government legal matters and /or matters dealt with by Legal Services.
The post holder, depending on the job role and area of law as outlined above, would be expected to provide advice; draft legal documents, including agreements, and deal with contested hearings, with more complex advice, drafting and advocacy being dealt with by higher grader officers.
To contribute directly to the generation of external income and work flexibly across the Service as and when required.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- To undertake a substantial personal caseload of legal matters in one or more areas as set out above in “Purpose of job”.
- To draft legal documentation as necessary relevant to the job role.
- To conduct investigatory and preparatory work as necessary to ensure effective presentation of cases to court and or successful completion of agreements as appropriate.
- To provide advice/updates as to the progression of cases and the value of particular strategies.
- To draft instructions to counsel. To attend court/tribunals/inquiries/appeals with counsel as instructing representative if required.
- To undertake advocacy on cases where appropriate including contested hearings.
- To work flexibly as part of a team to cover commitments including for example court work/ completion of agreements and other work as required.
- To provide advice to clients both orally and in writing.
- To maintain an awareness of all legislative and case law developments which might impact on the work of clients and advise them as appropriate.
- To prepare and deliver training for clients and colleagues with regard to law and practice relating to their functions and work.
- To contribute directly to the generation of external income.
- To work flexibly across the Service as and when required.
- To support other staff within the Section and Service as required.
- To perform all functions and duties effectively and in accordance with the Council’s policies.
- To foster and deliver a “can do “attitude with regard to all aspects of the role, including advising and supporting colleagues, clients and members and contributing to change.
- To meet all professional requirements, for example and if appropriate, the SRA competence framework in relation personal development.
- To carry out such other duties within Legal Services and the Council, and for other clients as, from time to time, may be reasonably required, which are commensurate with the grade, experience, training and level of responsibility within the Council at your initial place of work or from any other of the Council's establishments or from any other suitable place of work identified by the Council. You may be required to attend meetings, tribunals, inquiries/appeals and courts outside the boundaries of Leeds City Council.
- To undertake work for other authorities under partnership and/or other arrangements.
Qualifications
Solicitor or Barrister entitled to hold a practising certificate or Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives
Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.
- Able to plan and organise own workload, with minimum supervision, and to strict deadlines.
- Able to act as an advocate on behalf of the Council including dealing with contested hearings as appropriate and relevant to the job role.
- Able to draft and prepare clear and concise documents as relevant to the job role, including for example legal agreements, procedures, guidance notes, reports, statements, letters and memoranda.
- Able to work and communicate effectively as member of a team.
- Able to establish productive relationships with people and organisations at different levels inside and outside the Council.
- Able to grasp and assimilate new information quickly.
- Able to resolve a wide range of legal problems in a local government context.
- Able to carry out effective legal research.
- Able to contribute directly to generate external income.
- Able to work flexibly across the Service as required.
- Solicitor or Barrister entitled to hold a practising certificate or Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives.
- Knowledge of the law and practice relating to Child Care law.
- Knowledge of the law and practice relating to at least one other area of law covered by the service (D).
- Knowledge of law and practice relating to local government. (A basic knowledge of local authority functions relevant to the job role). (D)
- Experience of managing and dealing with a personal legal caseload.
- Experience of advocacy e.g. courts/tribunal/inquiries/appeals including experience in dealing with contested hearings as appropriate and relevant to the job role.
- Experience of providing advice to clients.
- Experience of drafting legal documents and or agreements as relevant to the job role.
- Experience of assisting others in providing training, preferably legal.
- Experience of Windows based IT systems.
- Experience of working to a quality system e.g. Lexcel, ISO or similar (D)
- Experience of working as an effective member of a team.
Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics
- A commitment to provide and develop for clients high quality legal services.
- A professional approach and presentation.
- An awareness of the sensitive and confidential nature of the work.
- A willingness to work flexibly beyond normal hours.
- Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
- Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
- Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
- Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
- Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
- Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
- Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
- Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
- Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
- Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
- The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
