At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide legal advice on children's social services law and manage complex casework.
- Company: Join Brent Council, a diverse and inclusive workplace committed to community improvement.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 27 days annual leave, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with a focus on safeguarding and environmental sustainability.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact in a vibrant borough while advancing your legal career.
- Qualifications: Post-qualification experience in children’s social care law and strong advocacy skills.
The predicted salary is between 52194 - 55323 £ per year.
Salary range: £52,194 - £55,323 per annum inclusive of London weighting
Contract: Permanent
Hours of work: 36 hours per week
Location: Civic Centre and other locations from time to time
Brent is one of the most diverse boroughs in the country, with communities, ideas and experiences from across the world helping to shape who we are. Working here means joining a council that is focused on fairness, open to new thinking and committed to improving life for local people. Our values shape how we work and what people can expect from us. We collaborate proactively, lead inclusively, embrace change, are bold and curious, and celebrate and share our success. For people who care about public service and want their work to matter, Brent offers the chance to make a meaningful difference.
About the role
Brent is a tremendously vibrant London borough where the iconic arch of Wembley Stadium dominates the skyline. Spanning both inner and outer London, it is a borough of huge contrasts in terms of its economic, environmental, ethnic and social make up. Brent’s diversity is evident to all who visit our borough and our long history of ethnic and cultural diversity has created a place that is truly unique and valued by those who live and work here. The council is pursuing a far-reaching transformation agenda that better meets the needs of our community so it is an exciting time to join us.
We welcome applications from qualified Solicitors, Barristers or CILEX lawyers with post-qualification experience in employment law. This role is intentionally broad and suitable for:
- Newly qualified lawyers seeking their first post-qualification role
- Lawyers with early post-qualification experience looking to broaden their practice
- More experienced lawyers seeking a new challenge in a values-led public sector environment.
Progression to PO5 is available for those demonstrating the ability to manage more complex or higher-risk matters.
In this role, key responsibilities include:
- Provision of specialist legal advice and assistance on all aspects of Children’s Social Services Law including Child Protection, Adoption Law, Children Act 1989, and other related social care law issues like judicial review.
- Managing individual and busy case work, responding to urgent matters and preparation of associated documentation.
- Conducting advocacy on behalf of the Council and instructing counsel as appropriate.
- Analysing legal risk, evaluating evidence and providing clear, practical advice to clients.
- Keeping up to date with changes in the law and other developments in the area of work allocated, disseminating information on changes and advising on any action to be taken as a result.
- Dealing with corporate complaints and Members enquiries, data protection and FOI requests.
- Providing training to members, clients or members of the team.
- Carrying out duties with due regard to the Council’s Customer Care, Equal Opportunities, Information Governance, Data Protection, Health and Safety and Emergency Planning & Awareness policies and procedures.
- Approving or amending legal aspects of reports to be submitted to members requiring decisions and attending committee and other meetings to give legal advice as necessary.
- Showing commitment to professional development and high-quality client services.
- Actively contributing to developing policies and good practice.
- Contributing towards the running of the team and Legal Services.
- Undertaking any other duties commensurate with the general level of responsibility of this post.
- Day to day supervision of Senior Legal Assistants, Legal Assistants and/or trainees as directed.
- Provision of cover as necessary for other areas within Legal Services as a whole and deputising for Senior/Chief Lawyers as required.
Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and all employees are required to act in such a way that at all times safeguards the health and well-being of children and vulnerable adults. Employees should embed environmental sustainability into their work, actively contributing to Brent becoming a carbon-neutral borough in 2030.
About you
- Post-qualification experience in the legal profession.
- Thorough knowledge of children social care law and practice.
- Comprehensive knowledge of the law affecting local government and its trends in the UK.
- A track record of achievement in conducting high level and complex casework, including high risk cases.
- Experience of dealing with complex cases in the area of expertise.
- Experience of attending court as a Lawyer in the County Court, Magistrates Court, Single Family Court, including all hearings up to trial.
- Experience of contributing to corporate decision making and development of corporate policy and strategy.
Why join us? 27 days’ annual leave, rising with length of service, plus...
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