At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage complex legal cases and provide expert advice in child protection.
- Company: Join Liverpool City Council, committed to community representation and support.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27+ days holiday, flexible working, and health perks.
- Other info: Opportunities for progression and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your legal skills.
- Qualifications: Legal expertise and strong advocacy skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
This is a fixed-term contract of up to 12 months, to cover maternity leave.
Responsibilities
- Have personal responsibility for a caseload of complex and non-complex legal work, acting as a subject expert with support and supervision from a Senior Lawyer or Head of Law.
- Carry out own advocacy when necessary on own caseload, while not instructing external counsel or legal support unless agreed procedures allow.
- Draft legal documents to a high standard.
- Notify all high-risk matters to the Senior Lawyer.
- Pick up casework arising in their respective teams as required, including where additional resources are needed to meet demand in the service as a whole.
- Provide support to other teams upon request by Senior Lawyer or Head of Law.
- Work flexibly and collaboratively with own team and across the wider legal service and with client services, as required.
- Supervise the work of working in the team or on the lawyer’s caseload.
- Attend council meetings as required to provide legal and governance advice and support.
- Provide legal input into reports for council meetings or decision-making processes in accordance with Council's standards and processes.
- Proactively maintain and improve client relationships.
- Provide training and awareness to clients and other stakeholders on legal matters proactively or as required.
- Act in accordance with and promote the Nolan Principles in the Council and the work, escalating concerns when identified.
- Externally commission legal work for the Council where required and on client instructions, ensuring value for money and high-quality advice and representation is received.
- Keep up to date with current and future law and practice affecting the Council.
- Support the Director, Deputy Director, Head of Law and Senior Lawyers in the delivery of projects and programmes in the Legal Service and/or corporately.
- Support the Head of Law and Senior Lawyers with the development of legal procedures and policies.
- Support the Head of Law and Senior Lawyers in delivering value for money and income generation in the team's work.
- Deputise for the Senior Lawyer in their absence or as requested.
- Be flexible with working hours to ensure that service needs and client requirements are met.
- Maximise the use of information technology and systems to provide more effective, efficient, and economical legal services.
- Carry out other tasks that may reasonably be required.
Benefits
- At least 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays rising to 32 after 5 years’ service (pro rata if part-time) – option to purchase further days.
- Agile working (role dependent) – a "Flexibility First" approach to agile working, where flexibility is the norm rather than the exception.
- Part of the Local Government Pension Scheme – option to join the AVC Scheme.
- Progression – opportunities and training through a wide range of high quality learning.
- Health and Wellbeing – offer including Employee Assistance Programme.
- Cycle to Work and Travel Pass Schemes.
- Drive Time – a salary sacrifice car lease scheme.
- Family friendly policies with enhanced leave.
- Discounted Gym Memberships.
- Employee Volunteering Scheme.
- Medicash.
Equal Opportunities
Liverpool City Council is committed to fostering a workforce representative of the communities we serve. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we believe in appointing candidates based on their skills, experience, qualifications, and abilities. To support this commitment, we guarantee an interview to candidates from under-represented groups who meet the minimum essential criteria for the role. If you require any reasonable adjustment in line with the Equality Act 2010, such as an application form in a different format or additional time to complete your application, please contact us at recruitment@liverpool.gov.uk.
Lawyer - Child Protection Team in Liverpool employer: Liverpool City Council
Liverpool City Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With generous benefits such as at least 27 days of holiday, flexible working arrangements, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, employees are empowered to thrive both personally and professionally while making a meaningful impact in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lawyer - Child Protection Team in Liverpool
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, especially those who work in child protection. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your advocacy skills. Since you'll be handling complex cases, practice articulating your approach to legal challenges and how you maintain client relationships.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your flexibility! Highlight your ability to adapt to different teams and workloads. This is key in a role where collaboration across services is essential.
✨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 take that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Lawyer - Child Protection Team in Liverpool
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Expertise:When you're drafting your application, make sure to highlight your experience with complex legal work. We want to see how you've handled similar cases and what makes you a subject expert in child protection law.
Be Clear and Concise:Legal writing is all about clarity. Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use simple language to explain your skills and experiences, so we can easily see how you fit into our team.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Make sure to tailor it to the specific role of Lawyer in the Child Protection Team. Mention how your values align with the Nolan Principles and how you can contribute to our mission.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important details or updates!
How to prepare for a job interview at Liverpool City Council
✨Know Your Legal Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest laws and practices related to child protection. Familiarise yourself with relevant legislation and case law, as well as the specific responsibilities outlined in the job description. This will show that you're not just knowledgeable but also genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Advocacy Skills
Since you'll be carrying out your own advocacy, prepare examples of past experiences where you've successfully represented clients or handled complex cases. Be ready to discuss your approach to advocacy and how you ensure high standards in legal documents.
✨Demonstrate Teamwork and Flexibility
This role requires collaboration across teams, so think of instances where you've worked effectively with others. Highlight your ability to adapt to changing demands and how you can support colleagues while managing your own caseload.
✨Prepare Questions for Them
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, the challenges they face, and how they measure success. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.
