Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare and advocate cases in child safeguarding and adult social care.
- Company: Kirklees Council, dedicated to safeguarding vulnerable individuals.
- Benefits: Generous annual leave, hybrid working, and exceptional family leave policies.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and vulnerable adults.
- Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor or Barrister with relevant experience in safeguarding law.
- Other info: Strong emphasis on training and personal development opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 51356 - 56494 £ per year.
Principal Lawyer – Children and Adults Safeguarding Team – Childrens Focus
Location: Huddersfield and surrounding areas
Hours: 37 per week
Grade: 14-15
Salary: £51356-£56494
Number of Jobs: 1
Position type: Permanent
Advert wording: This position is being advertised for Principal Lawyers with optional areas of focus.
We are advertising three possible focus areas for Principal Lawyer roles: Principal Lawyer – Adult Focus, Principal Lawyer – Children Focus, and Principal Lawyer – Combined Focus (Adults and Children). In your application please specify which focus you are applying for.
The Safeguarding Children and Adults Team is one of the specialist teams within Kirklees Legal Services. We act for the council on a range of matters including Public Law Proceedings relating to children and cases in relation to vulnerable adults in the Court of Protection. We work closely with the council’s social work teams who provide services to vulnerable children and adults.
As part of this role you will be expected to prepare cases for court using our case management and court bundling systems. You will also appear as an advocate and instruct counsel where required, specifically within the field of child safeguarding and/or adult social care and safeguarding.
We are looking for someone with a positive approach who enjoys working as part of a team. You will be supported by our Senior Lawyers, Assistant Legal Officers and Business Support team.
Development
If you are ambitious to develop your skills and knowledge in legal services, and want to know more about the legal issues that affect local authorities – this is the role for you. We put a strong emphasis on training and personal development, and want to support you to be the best you can be.
What you will bring
You will be a qualified Solicitor (or Barrister) holding a current practising certificate, or you will be a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives who holds a Civil Proceedings Certificate (or who is a Legal Executive Advocate).
You will also have the ability and experience of drafting application forms and complex court documentation to support Local Authority applications in public law children act proceedings and applications in the Court of Protection.
Experience
We are looking for someone with experience in at least one of the following areas, but experience in more than one area would be beneficial:
- Children Act 1989 – Public & Private Law Applications
- Adoption and Children Act 2002 – Public & Private Law Applications
- Care Act 2014
- Mental Health Act 1983, Community Care, Mental Capacity Act
- Advocacy in public & private children proceedings
- Advocacy in public or private law adoption or special guardianship applications
- Judicial Review/Administrative Law
Kirklees Council Offers These Benefits To All Its Employees
- 28.5 days annual leave increasing to 32.5 after 5 years’ service (plus bank holidays).
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Travel and parking discounts
- Exceptional Maternity and Paternity leave policies
- Local Government Pension
- Access to Employee Healthcare that offers a range of services from counselling to physiotherapy and health assessments.
- Hybrid working
For informal discussion, please contact Margaret Miller on 01484 221000. If you need any more information, or if you require support completing an application, please contact the Recruitment Team by email or phone 01484 221000 and ask for ‘Recruitment’.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults and children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Closing date
21 September 2025, 11:55 PM
Important Information
Job profile/description and additional documents may be supplied as part of the application process.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Principal Lawyer - Children and Adults Safeguarding Team - Childrens Focus employer: Kirklees Council
Contact Detail:
Kirklees Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Lawyer - Children and Adults Safeguarding Team - Childrens Focus
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, especially those who work in safeguarding. 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 brushing up on your knowledge of the Children Act and related legislation. We want to see that you’re not just qualified but also passionate about making a difference in children's lives.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your advocacy skills! Be ready to discuss specific cases where you’ve made an impact. This is your chance to shine and demonstrate how you can contribute to our team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Lawyer - Children and Adults Safeguarding Team - Childrens Focus
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Clear About Your Focus: When applying, make sure to specify which focus area you're interested in – whether it's Children, Adults, or Combined. This helps us understand where your passion lies and how you can best contribute to our team.
Show Off Your Experience: Highlight your relevant experience in drafting application forms and court documentation. We want to see how your background aligns with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your skills!
Tailor Your Application: Make your application personal! Use the job description to guide you and tailor your responses to reflect how your experience meets our needs. This shows us that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super straightforward!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kirklees Council
✨Know Your Legislation
Brush up on the key legislation relevant to the role, such as the Children Act 1989 and the Care Act 2014. Being able to discuss these laws confidently will show your expertise and commitment to safeguarding.
✨Showcase Your Advocacy Skills
Prepare examples of your advocacy experience in public and private law proceedings. Be ready to discuss specific cases where you made a significant impact, as this will highlight your practical skills and ability to represent vulnerable individuals.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Since the role involves working closely with social work teams, be prepared to talk about your experience in collaborative environments. Share instances where teamwork led to successful outcomes, showcasing your positive approach.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics and training opportunities within Kirklees Legal Services. This not only shows your interest in the role but also your ambition for personal development, which aligns with their values.