Lawyer (Childcare) - CMB2279i in Carlisle

Salary: £45,091 - £46,142

Hours: 1 x Full Time (37 hours per week)

Workbase: Civic Centre, Carlisle (flexible working available)

Contract: Fixed Term (Maternity Cover)

The Opportunity

This is an excellent opportunity to join our team to help deliver better services for our residents and businesses. A career as a local government lawyer is rewarding and challenging. This is a unique opportunity to develop your career in a dynamic legal team to support the Council in its ambitions. Our busy, in-house legal team supports the Council in all aspects of its work, and we are looking for someone who is proactive, innovative and collaborative and who enjoys a varied and interesting workload.

The Role

As a Lawyer in the Children’s legal team, you will handle your own caseload of children social care work which will include the preparation of cases before the Family Court (including advocacy before the Court) as well as the provision of legal advice and assistance across all levels of the local authority. You will receive the support of legal officers and legal assistants whilst benefitting from overall supervision from the Lead, Senior and Group Lawyers for the team. In addition, you will provide assistance and guidance to colleagues including managers, support and mentor less experienced colleagues which may include supervision of trainee solicitors/apprentices. You will also contribute to the management of the wider legal services and support the organisation in achieving and maintaining a high standard of corporate governance.

Who We Are Looking For

We are looking for qualified and admitted solicitors, barristers or legal executives, ideally with experience and knowledge of children social care law. This is a fantastic career opportunity for those looking to progress in a role where you will lead and supervise, as well as manage a more complex and corporately significant caseload. You will be supported and mentored by a highly experienced team of professionals, in a friendly, open and honest environment, and as a service, we strongly encourage the progression and development of our employees. Excellent communicators, the ability to work in a high-pressure environment, and an open and honest approach to management, are all qualities we are looking for in our Lawyers.

Cumberland Council is a modern and supportive employer, and we have both the technology and the commitment to allow our employees to work flexibly and efficiently. Our service is currently working both remotely and in the office environment. In person attendance at Court, key meetings and some office attendance will be required. If you are looking for a new challenge, in a friendly, supportive, and professionally stimulating environment, then we want to hear from you.

Who We’re Looking For (Values)

We’re looking for individuals who embody our organisation's core values: ambitious, collaborative, compassionate, empowering, and innovative. We believe in the power of these values to drive positive change, deliver excellent public services and shape a better future for our communities. We’re also about potential over perfection and we can help you grow in the role and thrive in your career.

Contact

For more information about the role or to arrange an informal chat prior to your application, please contact Martin McAlister by email at MartinJohn.McAlister@cumbria.gov.uk

Guaranteed Interviews

We offer a guaranteed interview to the following applicants as long as your application can demonstrate you meet the essential criteria for the role:

• Those who consider themselves disabled as defined by the Equality Act 2010
• Those in care or who have left care and are aged 24 and under
• Those who identify as a member of the British Armed Forces community (service leavers, veterans, their partners or spouses, reservists, cadets)

If you meet one or more of the criteria above, and wish to be considered for this scheme, select 'yes' to the appropriate question during your application.

Diversity, Inclusion & Adjustments

We’re dedicated to enhancing the diversity of our workforce and we encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds. That’s why we’re a proud Disability Confident Leader and also an Age Friendly Employer – to provide opportunities for everyone to thrive. If you need any reasonable adjustments to participate in the recruitment process, please let either the hiring manager or our Resourcing Team know by emailing Resourcing@Cumberland.gov.uk. While adjustments aren’t always guaranteed, we’ll always listen and we’ll try our best to accommodate your needs.

Application and Interview information

Easily apply by submitting your CV and answering a few short questions.

Closing date: 6th February 2026

Interview date: TBC

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