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- Tasks: Advise and represent on child care law, including care and adoption proceedings.
- Company: Join Derby City Council's dynamic legal team making a real difference.
- Benefits: Flexible working, 27 days leave, professional development, and wellness support.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with diverse employee networks and strong support for career growth.
- Why this job: Make an impact in children's services while growing your legal career.
- Qualifications: Solicitor, Barrister, or Legal Executive with advocacy experience; open to near-qualified candidates.
The predicted salary is between 50269 - 53460 £ per year.
Job reference: 000012166.
Date posted: 08/05/2026.
Application closing date: 01 June 2026.
Working Pattern: Part time.
Salary: £50,269 – £53,460 per year, pro‑rata.
Hours: 22.2 hours per week (3 days).
Location: The Council House / Hybrid Working.
Contract type: Permanent.
We are a dynamic legal child care team, based in the City Centre. We are looking for a highly motivated and suitably qualified lawyer for this important post but we would consider applications from people who are approaching qualification if they were the right person for the role.
As a member of our busy legal team, your main area of work will be advising and representing the People’s (Children’s) Services Department in all aspects of child care law including care and adoption proceedings. Be assured – the work will be stimulating, plentiful and varied. You will be expected to undertake or be prepared to work towards undertaking your own advocacy in the local courts and demonstrate a strong technical knowledge when handling public law cases. You may also advise on judicial review applications that relate to the provision of children’s services. You will work closely with other experienced lawyers and legal colleagues and you will be supported by legal officers (paralegals) and senior managers.
Who We Are
Here at Derby City Council, we’re dedicated to delivering nearly 250 first‑class services to citizens and businesses in the heart of the Midlands. In July 2025, our Children’s Services' department was rated as Outstanding by OFSTED. People are at the centre of all that we do, and we have an outstanding track record of recruiting and developing talented individuals by providing them with varied and fulfilling career opportunities.
What We Offer
- Flexible work/life balance scheme
- Hybrid working
- Modern office environment
- Continued professional development opportunities & career conversations
- 27 days annual leave (rising to 32 days after 5 years' service), plus bank holidays
- Local Government Pension Scheme (depending on contract)
- Team Derby Rewards – retail and leisure discounts
- Tusker Car Benefit Scheme
- Cycle2Work Scheme & free cycle training
- Employee Assistance Programme, Wellbeing Calendar and Support
- Access to our Equality Employee Networks – LGBTQ+, Disabled Employee Network & Carers and our Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic Employee Support Network and Neurodiversity Network
- Support for colleagues who are carers
About You
- Be a Solicitor, Barrister or Legal Executive with rights of audience but we may consider someone approaching qualification if they are the right person;
- Have good, recent advocacy, drafting and negotiation experience;
- Be a good communicator giving clear, practical advice;
- Be able to work on your own initiative and as part of a team;
- Have extensive, recent experience of care and adoption law;
- Be able to provide evidence of managing your own caseload and meeting deadlines.
As part of our safer recruitment checks the successful candidate will be subject to a standard DBS check. All employees will normally be appointed to the minimum of the grade for the job.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
We are a fair and inclusive employer and welcome applications from people from all backgrounds. We recruit for diversity and value difference. As many of our roles can now be home‑based, we are able to offer more opportunities for people who need this facility. We are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. If you are a disabled person, you have the choice to apply under our Guaranteed Interview Scheme so long as you demonstrate that you meet the essential requirements for the job. We feel it is essential that we recruit a talented workforce that is as diverse as the community we work for. Please let us know of any individual requirements or reasonable adjustments you may have during the application, interview, or onboarding process and we’ll do all we can to help. We strongly believe in social understanding of disability and for us it’s all about removing barriers to equality.
Lawyer - Adult, Education & Childrens Services employer: Derby City Council
Contact Detail:
Derby City Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lawyer - Adult, Education & Childrens Services
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, especially those who work in child care law. They might have insider info on job openings or can even put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common legal scenarios and questions related to child care law. We recommend role-playing with a friend or mentor to boost your confidence and refine your responses.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your advocacy skills! If you’ve had any relevant experiences, whether in court or during your training, make sure to highlight these during interviews. It’s all about demonstrating your ability to handle real cases.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our dynamic team.
We think you need these skills to ace Lawyer - Adult, Education & Childrens Services
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in care and adoption law. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Show Off Your Advocacy Skills: Since advocacy is a key part of this role, include examples of your recent advocacy experiences. We’re looking for clear, practical advice that demonstrates your ability to handle public law cases effectively.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate good communication, so make sure your application reflects that by being well-structured and easy to read.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly and gives you a chance to explore more about us and what we offer.
How to prepare for a job interview at Derby City Council
✨Know Your Child Care Law
Make sure you brush up on the latest developments in child care law, especially around care and adoption proceedings. Being able to discuss recent cases or changes in legislation will show your passion and expertise in the field.
✨Showcase Your Advocacy Skills
Prepare to discuss your advocacy experience in detail. Think of specific examples where you've successfully represented clients or handled public law cases. This will demonstrate your capability and readiness to take on advocacy roles in local courts.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. As a lawyer, clear communication is key, so be ready to give practical advice during the interview. You might even want to role-play common scenarios with a friend to build your confidence.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Highlight your ability to work both independently and as part of a team. Share examples of how you've collaborated with colleagues or supported legal officers in past roles. This will show that you're not just a great lawyer, but also a great team player.