Head of Childrens Social Care Legal Team

Are you a senior legal professional looking to make your next career move? We provide high quality, clear legal advice on all aspects of local government work, based in Bury town centre we offer flexible and agile working and a range of staff benefits. This is a fantastic opportunity to join our amazing legal team as Head of the Children's Social Care Legal Team and develop your legal career and expertise. We are looking for dedicated and enthusiastic applicants who are keen to develop their skills in a public sector environment. Prior experience in local government is desirable but more important is your determination to provide a first-class legal service.

Our legal team is incredibly friendly and supportive, and you will be provided with training and development opportunities to develop and enhance your skills. The department’s structure allows for our lawyers to be well supported to ensure they can excel with opportunities available for career development. We very much work as a team with a focus on training, mentoring, and coaching to get the right results. We are supported by our Legal Practice Manager to achieve better ways of working. We are proud of our strong relationships with our client department working together to achieve Bury’s vision.

We are seeking a highly qualified, motivated, and experienced legal professional with a strong track record and the ability to develop excellent relationships with partners and colleagues. As the Head of Department for the Children's Social Care legal Team, you will have a proactive approach with the resilience and ability to constructively challenge. You will have extensive knowledge of children's social care law with the ability to coach and mentor your team.

• Provide leadership for the Children's Social Care legal team and develop their skills and expertise.
• Deliver high quality legal advice on local government matters and promote first-class service.
• Coach, mentor, and develop team members; support career development and training opportunities.
• Foster strong relationships with client departments to support Bury’s vision.
• Collaborate with the Legal Practice Manager to improve ways of working and processes.
• Demonstrate resilience and a proactive approach, with the ability to constructively challenge when appropriate.

• Extensive knowledge of children's social care law.
• Proven track record as a legal professional with the ability to develop relationships with partners and colleagues.
• Highly qualified, motivated, and experienced with a public sector mindset.
• Ability to coach and mentor a team.

We offer training and development opportunities; flexible and agile working where appropriate; a supportive team environment; and the usual staff benefits associated with the role.

The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. Appointment may be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check. In line with safer recruitment, please ensure your application/CV covers your full employment history and there is a reason noted for any gaps in employment. Successful candidates will be asked to provide relevant references for the past ten years; character references will not be accepted. As a Corporate Parent, ensure that the work and services you deliver consider our care experienced young people, promote their life chances, empower them to influence policies and decisions, and champion their rights.

Next steps and timetable: Shortlisting w/c 16/02/2026; Interviews to be confirmed.