Legal Adviser / Senior Legal Adviser (Adult Social Care and Education) in Winchester

Job Reference: HCC

Salary Range: £40,643 - £54,423 per annum, plus Market Supplement up to £4,500 per annum

Work Location: Elizabeth II Court, Winchester (Hybrid Working)

Hours per week: 37 (part time working may also be considered)

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 6 February 2026

Interview Date: 12/13 February 2026

Please note applications will be reviewed once submitted, therefore this advert may close early depending on volumes of applications received.

Join our friendly and professional legal department and explore what the future could look like with Hampshire County Council!

The Role:

As a member of the Adults and Education Team you will join a friendly and supportive legal team which works closely to provide legal support to colleagues across Hampshire County Council directorates. Advising on matters that are as challenging as they are rewarding, you will advise on a range of interesting and complex matters that enable the directorates to deliver services for the residents of Hampshire and Hampshire Legal Services’ external clients to achieve their ambitious targets.

This post is being advertised at both F and G grades with Market Supplement of up £4,500 per annum available, dependent on experience. You will be appointed as either a Legal Adviser or as a Senior Legal Adviser, depending on experience and qualifications relevant to the criteria below.

What you’ll do:

This is an in-house Legal Adviser role, where you will work individually and as part of a friendly team, taking on a complex caseload to provide professional and timely legal advice to all Hampshire County Council directorates and a wide range of other organisations delivering public services, including other local authorities, health providers and, maintained and academy schools.

What we’re looking for:

As a qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Legal Executive (with litigation rights) or equivalent, you will ideally have relevant post qualification experience in the areas of adult social care law and/or education law. For those who are newly qualified or looking for a change of direction in their career, support and training will be available.

We are looking for a lawyer who:

• is able to demonstrate sound legal skills and judgment;
• adopts a pragmatic solution focused approach;
• has strong client relationship and communication skills;
• works collaboratively in a team and is able to support other team members;
• can prioritise effectively and work independently to meet deadlines;
• shares Hampshire Legal Services’ values to deliver high quality legal advice.

You will be supported by senior fee earners to develop your expertise and further your career in our well-respected team and contribute to the success of Hampshire Legal Services.

Having successfully adopted online and hybrid working, we can consider candidates from out of the area, working partially remotely and from our offices in Winchester.

As a forward-looking local authority, our commitment to delivering an exceptional quality of life to our Hampshire residents also extends to our employees. It is important to us that our staff feel supported in their work. As such we can offer you a good work-life balance through flexible working and our excellent benefits package including:

• Access to Local Government Pension Scheme
• 25 - 28 days annual leave entitlement (dependant on Local Authority service).
• Interest free travel loans and discounts.
• Employee Support Services.
• Family friendly policies.

To learn more about the HLS Team please visit Hampshire Legal Services.

Additional Information:

Legal Adviser (Adult Social Care and Education) Candidate Pack

Senior Legal Adviser (Adult Social Care and Education) Candidate Pack

Vetting Requirements:

This post is subject to a Basic Disclosure Check.

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:

Charlotte Koster, Legal Team Leader

Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.

We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.