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- Tasks: Manage and advise on care proceedings, adoption, and international legal issues.
- Company: Join Southend City Council, a vibrant and growing coastal city.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, flexible working, and excellent training opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in social care while developing your legal career.
- Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor/Barrister/Legal Executive with 0-3 years experience in social care.
- Other info: Hybrid working available; be part of a supportive and dynamic legal team.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Southend-on-Sea is a vibrant and diverse coastal city known for its long beaches and famous pier. As one of the UK’s newest cities (over 200,000 residents and growing) and with its proximity to London, Southend is focused on the future with ambitious strategic plans. The Director of Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer has restructured the Legal Services team to match these broader ambitions. As part of this, the director has hired a new Head of Legal focused on standards, performance, continuous improvement and organisational resilience, and is now looking to expand further by appointing an enthusiastic Senior Lawyer with a range of experience.
Southend City Council are looking to appoint a permanent, full-time Senior Lawyer. As a lawyer within the Council’s well-respected Legal Services team, you will be managing and advising on all aspects of care proceedings, adoption proceedings and dealing with international issues as and when necessary. The role will include, but is not limited to, the following:
- Advising on and managing all aspects of care proceedings.
- Drafting all documents relating to applications under the Children Act 1989, including case management documents, threshold statements, orders and case summaries as necessary.
- Representing the Council at court.
- Advising and managing DOL (Deprivation of Liberty) and Secure Accommodation proceedings.
- Dealing with S7 and S37 matters.
- Lead and take responsibility for routine and complex cases, including High Court applications and Judicial Reviews as necessary.
- Manage up to three legal assistants, empowering and engaging them to continually improve and deliver successful outcomes.
Within this position, hybrid working opportunities are available. However, you are required to be on-site at the Civic Centre a minimum of 2 days a week.
What you’ll need to succeed:
- Qualified Solicitor/Barrister/Legal Executive with a current England & Wales practising certificate.
- 0–3 years post-qualification experience within the social care sector.
- Understanding of local government and experience of working in a political environment.
- In-depth knowledge of relevant legislation, policies, and procedures.
- Proven experience in the public sector, ideally local government.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to manage complex workloads.
What you’ll get in return:
When joining the council, you can enjoy a range of benefits including: 25 days annual leave, flexible working and excellent training and development opportunities. They are committed to ensuring that you are supported in this varied and challenging role with the appropriate level of training.
Senior Lawyer - Social Care Services - Permanent in Southend-on-Sea employer: hays-gcj-v4-pd-online
Contact Detail:
hays-gcj-v4-pd-online Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Lawyer - Social Care Services - Permanent in Southend-on-Sea
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, especially those who have experience in social care services. Attend local events or webinars to meet potential colleagues and get your name out there.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Southend City Council's recent initiatives and challenges in social care. This will show that you're genuinely interested and ready to contribute to their ambitious plans.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your interview skills with a friend or mentor. Focus on articulating your experience in care proceedings and how you can manage complex cases effectively. Confidence is key!
✨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 proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Lawyer - Social Care Services - Permanent in Southend-on-Sea
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that match the Senior Lawyer role. Highlight your experience in care proceedings and any relevant legislation to show us you’re the right fit!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about social care law and how your background aligns with our ambitions at Southend City Council. Keep it engaging and personal!
Showcase Your Communication Skills: As a lawyer, communication is key. In your application, demonstrate your ability to convey complex legal concepts clearly. This will help us see how you can effectively represent the Council in court.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates during the process!
How to prepare for a job interview at hays-gcj-v4-pd-online
✨Know Your Legislation
Make sure you brush up on the relevant legislation, especially the Children Act 1989. Being able to discuss specific cases or examples where you've applied this knowledge will show your expertise and confidence in handling care proceedings.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to talk about your previous experience in social care law. Highlight any complex cases you've managed, particularly those involving High Court applications or Judicial Reviews. This will demonstrate your capability to handle the responsibilities of the role.
✨Engage with the Team
Since you'll be managing legal assistants, think about how you can empower and engage them. Be ready to discuss your leadership style and how you plan to foster a collaborative environment within the Legal Services team.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the council's strategic plans and how the Legal Services team fits into that vision. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand how you can contribute to their ambitious goals.
