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- Tasks: Join our team as a Solicitor, providing legal advice on child protection matters.
- Company: Oxfordshire County Council is dedicated to transforming lives and supporting local communities.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, up to 33 days holiday, and great learning opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in children's lives while working in a supportive and collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: NQ Solicitor/CILEX Lawyer or equivalent experience required; passion for public service is essential.
- Other info: We promote equality, diversity, and flexible working options for all employees.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 £ per year.
Do you want a values-centred career that transforms local people’s lives every day? Our Solicitors are a crucial part of our in-house legal team and will provide high quality legal advice, supporting council directorates and corporate services with proactive legal advice and collaborative working to meet our customer and community needs.
We’re looking for an enthusiastic and motivated child protection lawyer to join our friendly and collaborative Children and Families Team. You will provide legal advice, guidance and representation to the client department on a wide range of matters pertaining to all aspects of child protection legislation. The role will involve preparing cases for Court and providing legal advice that identifies the risks and consequences of the different options available. Advocacy (and related drafting of court documents) is encouraged for case management hearings and listings of one day or less.
We are looking for a candidate who displays professionalism, excellent communication, be able to adapt to the needs of the client and work under pressure, whilst remaining positive and solutions focused. We are looking for an enthusiastic team player, interested in building positive relationships within the team and client department, who is also confident, independent and is comfortable recognising and managing corporate risk.
We have a dedicated team of business support and legal assistants who provide support to each lawyer to enable them to undertake robust case management.
About you
You’re free-thinking and brave, and that sets you apart. You’ll be supportive and energised; you don’t accept the norm if it can be done better - finding answers through exploration and courage.
Minimum Qualifications:
- NQ Solicitor/CILEX Lawyer - Newly qualified Solicitor/ NQ CILEX Lawyer / NQ Barrister or qualified solicitor/CILEX lawyer/barrister.
- Solicitor 1 - Solicitor/CILEX Lawyer/barrister who can match Solicitor 1 core competencies (Legal Services Core Competency Framework).
- Solicitor 2 - Solicitor/CILEX lawyer/barrister with significant experience in subject area and matching core competencies Solicitor 2 (Legal Services Core Competency Framework).
In addition to the above qualifications, you will also:
- Have excellent knowledge and understanding of relevant areas of law and practice; ability to research quickly in unknown areas of law, learn new areas of law and make a professional judgement and provide accurate and definitive advice.
- Have experience working within a legal practice/in house legal department. This is desirable however we will consider candidates with similar prior experience and demonstrable transferable skills.
- Be able to manage your own caseload (10-12 care and approximately 3-5 PLO cases).
Fundamentally, you’ll be passionate about delivering stand-out public services, because we’re here to make every moment the best it can be for the residents of Oxfordshire. This role allows for Hybrid Working with travel to Oxford required a minimum of two days per week.
Rewards and benefits
- Technology to support agile working where role permits
- Up to 33 days holiday p.a. plus bank holidays
- Option to ‘buy’ additional holiday
- Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support
- Membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, with an employer’s contribution of up to 19.9%
- Enhanced family friendly policies
- Local and national discounts for shopping and travel
- Great learning and development opportunities to support your ongoing development.
Our commitment to: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.
Our commitment to: Guaranteed Interview Schemes
As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.
Our commitment to: Safeguarding
Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.
Our commitment to: Flexible Working
We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, full time and part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.
Solicitor (Childcare) employer: Connected Local Government
Contact Detail:
Connected Local Government Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Solicitor (Childcare)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific child protection legislation relevant to the role. Understanding the nuances of laws such as the Children Act will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to the field.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals already working in childcare law or local government. Attend relevant seminars or workshops to build connections and gain insights into the role, which can be invaluable during your application process.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss real-life scenarios where you've had to manage complex legal cases or collaborate with multidisciplinary teams. This will showcase your problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure, both of which are crucial for this position.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Oxfordshire County Council's values and recent initiatives in child protection. Tailoring your conversation to align with their mission will show that you're not just looking for any job, but are genuinely interested in contributing to their goals.
We think you need these skills to ace Solicitor (Childcare)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in childcare law and showcases your qualifications as an NQ Solicitor or CILEX Lawyer. Emphasise any specific cases or projects that demonstrate your ability to manage a caseload and provide legal advice.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for child protection law and your commitment to delivering public services. Use specific examples to illustrate how your skills align with the role's requirements, such as your ability to work under pressure and build positive relationships.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: In your application, highlight your excellent communication skills. Provide examples of how you have effectively communicated complex legal concepts to clients or colleagues, as this is crucial for the role within the Children and Families Team.
Demonstrate Your Understanding of the Role: Research Oxfordshire County Council and the specific challenges they face in childcare law. Mention these in your application to show that you understand the context of the role and are prepared to contribute positively to their objectives.
How to prepare for a job interview at Connected Local Government
✨Understand Child Protection Legislation
Make sure you have a solid grasp of child protection laws and recent developments in the field. Be prepared to discuss how these laws impact your approach to legal advice and case management.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a solicitor, clear communication is key. Practice articulating complex legal concepts in simple terms, as you may need to explain these to clients or colleagues who are not legally trained.
✨Demonstrate Team Collaboration
Highlight your ability to work within a team. Share examples of how you've successfully collaborated with others in previous roles, especially in high-pressure situations.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to manage risk. Prepare by thinking through potential scenarios you might face in this role and how you would handle them.
