At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide legal support in adult social care, managing a varied caseload and delivering high-quality advice.
- Company: Join a supportive local authority legal team with a focus on community impact.
- Benefits: Earn £60 per hour, enjoy remote work, and have potential for contract extension.
- Other info: Opportunity to handle interesting cases and grow your career in a flexible setting.
- Why this job: Make a difference in people's lives while developing your legal expertise in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Must be a qualified Solicitor or Barrister with experience in Adult Social Care law.
A local authority client is seeking an experienced Adult Social Care Solicitor to join their Legal Services team on an interim basis for an initial 3-6 month contract, with the potential for extension. This is a primarily remote working opportunity, although the successful candidate will be required to attend Solihull initially to collect IT equipment and may occasionally need to attend court, committee meetings, or other meetings as required by the service.
The Role
You will provide legal support to the Adult Social Care Directorate, managing a varied caseload and delivering high-quality legal advice across a range of adult social care matters. You may also be required to support related work within children's social care and education services where necessary.
Key responsibilities include:
- Managing a complex caseload of adult social care matters
- Advising officers, members, partners, and clients on legal, procedural, and policy issues
- Conducting litigation and advocacy on behalf of the Council
- Handling Court of Protection proceedings and related matters
- Drafting legal documents, reports, policies, and procedures
- Providing practical, solution focused legal advice
- Delivering training and briefings to clients and stakeholders
- Attending court hearings, committee meetings, and panels when required
- Maintaining Lexcel compliant files and accurate time recording
Requirements
To be considered, candidates must have:
- Qualification as a Solicitor, Barrister, or Fellow of CILEX with practising rights in England and Wales
- A current practising certificate
- Significant recent experience in Adult Social Care law
- Strong knowledge of the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005, relevant case law, and statutory guidance
- Experience handling Court of Protection matters
- Advocacy experience
- Excellent drafting, communication, and client management skills
- The ability to manage competing priorities and work effectively under pressure
Desirable Experience
- Local authority legal services experience
- Knowledge of public law childcare and/or education law
- Experience using Iken case management systems
- Understanding of Lexcel Practice Management Standards
What's on Offer?
- £60 per hour Umbrella
- Initial 3-6 month contract
- Potential contract extension
- Primarily remote working arrangement
- Opportunity to work within a supportive local authority legal team
- Interesting and varied adult social care caseload
All offers will be subject to satisfactory compliance screening, including right to work in the UK and references. If successful, candidates will be required to provide information to support the Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council's commitment to the prevention and detection of fraud. This information will be processed by the Council's Internal Audit Services and may be shared with the National Fraud Initiative (NFI) for data matching.
Adult Social Care Solicitor in Solihull employer: Opus People Solutions Ltd
Opus People Solutions Ltd is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises sustainable outcomes for children and families. With a focus on professional development, employees have access to growth opportunities and the chance to make a meaningful impact in their community while working in a hybrid role that promotes work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Adult Social Care Solicitor in Solihull
✨Get Involved in Legal Networking Events
Jump into local or virtual legal networking events to meet industry pros and get your foot in the door! Use platforms like Eventbrite or Meetup to find gatherings, as these are great for making connections and hearing about temporary roles at firms like Opus People Solutions Ltd.
✨Showcase Your Skills Online
Create a simple online portfolio to showcase your legal work, whether that's case briefs, research papers, or even blog posts on legal topics. This public display can really set you apart when looking for temp roles in law, especially if you can make it relevant to the work that Opus People Solutions Ltd does!
✨Tap into Law School Resources
If you're near a law school, hit up their career services. They often have leads on temporary positions and can help connect you with alumni working at firms. Plus, they might host workshops or job fairs specific to the legal sector—great for scoring that temp position!
✨Stay Updated with Legal Job Boards
Regularly check specialised legal job boards like LawCareers.Net or TotallyLegal for temporary listings. Many firms post their openings directly there, and applying quickly can give you an edge over the competition when looking to join a prestigious firm like Opus People Solutions Ltd.
We think you need these skills to ace Adult Social Care Solicitor in Solihull
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Legal Know-How:In the legal services world, it's all about demonstrating your understanding of relevant laws and regulations. Make sure your CV highlights your legal training, internships, or any relevant projects you've worked on. If you've done any mooting or legal research, include those too - they can really set you apart!
Tailor Your Application for the Temp Role:Since this is a temporary position, your application should stress your adaptability and readiness to jump in right away. Highlight any previous temp roles where you quickly got up to speed, or any diverse experiences that show you can handle a variety of cases or tasks with ease.
Keep it Specific with Your Documents:Make sure your application includes essential legal documents, such as any relevant certifications or memberships in legal bodies. These can add credibility to your CV and show that you're serious about the profession – especially useful in a competitive field like law!
Express Your Enthusiasm in the Cover Letter:Your cover letter is a golden opportunity to express your enthusiasm for the role and the organisation. Let them know why you’re excited about this temporary position with Opus People Solutions Ltd and how you're motivated to contribute to their success during your limited time with them!
How to prepare for a job interview at Opus People Solutions Ltd
✨Show Off Your Legal Know-How
Prepare to discuss your understanding of legal terminology and concepts that might come up during the interview for the Adult Social Care Solicitor role at Opus People Solutions Ltd. Brush up on relevant laws or recent cases that could be pertinent to the temporary position, as they'll likely appreciate candidates who can think on their feet and adapt to the fast-paced legal environment.
✨Talk About Your Flexibility
Since this is a temporary role, employers want to know you can hit the ground running. Be ready to highlight past experiences where you've had to quickly adapt to new tasks or work cultures. Flexibility is key in a short-term position like this, so share specific examples that demonstrate your ability to manage changing priorities efficiently.
✨Prepare for the Casework Challenge
You might face hypothetical scenarios where you'd have to advise on a legal issue or case. Practice articulating your thought process clearly, as interviewers in the legal sector often expect candidates to walk them through their reasoning step-by-step. This will not only showcase your legal acumen but also demonstrate your communication skills, which are crucial in law.
✨Pitch Your Legal Portfolio
If you have any relevant work samples, such as briefs, contracts, or legal research, this is your chance to shine! Be ready to discuss what you did, what challenges you faced, and the outcomes. This speaks volumes more than just listing your skills; it shows you're proactive and results-oriented, which is essential for a temporary role at Opus People Solutions Ltd.
