Lawyer/Senior Lawyer Adult Social Care in Keynsham

At Bath & North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose to improve people’s lives.

Salary: Lawyer £42,839 - £46,142 per annum, pro rata; Senior Lawyer £47,181 - £51,356 per annum, pro rata depending on experience.

Following a successful growth bid for Legal Services we are seeking to attract and recruit to a number of posts including the developing and exciting areas of Court of Protection and Deprivation of Liberty (Children & Adults); Special Educational Needs and Tribunal work (SEND) general safeguarding and a Legal Officer to support these areas with opportunities for further development. We also have an opportunity for a Lawyer and a Legal Officer in the area of child protection.

Applications are invited from candidates who are either a Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive (conditions apply for Chartered Legal Executive as to Advocacy Certificates). Whilst we are interested in experienced candidates from a local government background, if you are qualified with raw talent but little or no PQE experience then one of these roles might just be for you. As a progressive Council we are committed to investing in staff and to support individuals to fulfil their full potential.

The team provides legal advice to the Council mainly in relation to child and adult protection, education and employment. You will require a comprehensive knowledge of the work practices, processes, procedures and policies relating to the service area.

The applicant will need to have experience in a variety of matters relating to adult social care law (ideally within a Local Authority) including but not limited to the Care Act 2014; Mental Health Act 1983; Mental Capacity Act 2005; High Court / Court of Protection cases including deprivation of liberty of 16-17-year-olds and miscellaneous adult safeguarding matters. Experience in other areas such as judicial review; LADO; SEND; misfeasance in public office is desirable.

To provide guidance and support to junior members of the team. Condition of this post if a Chartered Legal Executive is to have Civil Proceedings Certificate: For County Courts (except family), Magistrates' Courts, Tribunals, and Coroners' Courts.

If you are interested in this post and require more details or just to chat through the role and what’s involved, please contact Rachel O'Sullivan, Service Manager - Legal Services (Adults, Children & Education), Rachel_Osullivan@BATHNES.GOV.UK or call +441225395120.

Interview date: 23rd February - 27th February. No Agencies Please. Please note that this advert may close earlier than the stated closing date due to high demand. We advise all interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.

Please note, BANES Council operates a policy of prior consideration for roles for any individual on the Council’s at-risk register (redeployee). This means should a redeployee express an interest in this role, providing they meet the essential criteria for the role they will be considered ahead of external applicants.

Working at Bath and North East Somerset provides an opportunity to contribute to your community and make a positive impact on the lives of residents. Our values shape how we work to deliver public services, and how we communicate with the residents we serve. We care about the best outcomes for local people, through our public services.

We offer a wide range of benefits, to ensure that you are paid fairly for your work, have the flexibility to enjoy a great work/life balance, and have the support you need.

At Bath and North East Somerset Council we aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us. The Council is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce. Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.

Please note that this role is subject to an Enhanced DBS Check. The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. As part of this commitment anyone working in a post with children or vulnerable groups will be expected to undertake an Enhanced DBS check with/without barred list checks.