At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide expert legal advice on complex Adult Social Care matters and support key decisions.
- Company: Join West Northamptonshire Council, a modern and ambitious local authority.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, up to 32 days leave, and a comprehensive wellbeing offer.
- Other info: Collaborative culture that values innovation and supports professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on vulnerable adults while shaping the future of legal services.
- Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor or Barrister with substantial experience in Adult Social Care law.
The predicted salary is between 56853 - 60823 £ per year.
We're looking for an experienced Adult Social Care lawyer to join our Legal Services team as Principal Adult Social Care Lawyer. This is a senior role with real influence. You'll provide expert legal advice on complex and sensitive Adult Social Care matters, working closely with senior leaders, Directors and elected Members to support key decisions across the Council. You'll also play an important part in shaping and developing our legal service, helping us deliver high-quality, practical legal advice to services that make a genuine difference to residents.
Alongside managing a varied and challenging caseload, you'll support the development of colleagues, contribute to service improvement initiatives and deputise for the Head of Legal (People) when required. This is an excellent opportunity for a lawyer who enjoys intellectually challenging work, values collaboration and wants to be part of a modern, ambitious local authority.
What will you be doing?
- Working closely with senior leaders, Directors and elected Members, you'll provide expert legal advice on some of the Council's most complex Adult Social Care matters, helping to shape decisions that support vulnerable adults and deliver positive outcomes for residents.
- As a trusted adviser, you'll bring clarity and confidence to challenging legal issues, balancing risk with practical solutions and ensuring the Council can achieve its objectives while meeting its statutory responsibilities.
- A key part of the role will be building strong relationships across the organisation, establishing Legal Services as a valued strategic partner and helping colleagues navigate an increasingly complex legal landscape.
- Alongside your casework, you'll play an important role in developing colleagues, sharing knowledge and helping to build a high-performing, collaborative team where people can learn, grow and succeed.
- The position also offers the opportunity to contribute to the future direction of Legal Services, driving continuous improvement, championing best practice and helping shape how legal support is delivered across the Council.
Why Work for Us?
Experienced Adult Social Care lawyers have options. We think this role offers something genuinely different. At West Northamptonshire Council, you'll be trusted with interesting, complex work from day one. You'll work closely with senior colleagues across the organisation, influence key decisions and help deliver services that have a real impact on people's lives. We're an ambitious authority and we're equally ambitious about our Legal Service. We're investing in our people, developing talent from within and creating a culture where lawyers are seen as strategic partners, not just legal advisers.
You'll join a supportive, collaborative team that values expertise, encourages innovation and gives people the autonomy to thrive. Whether you're looking to deepen your specialism, broaden your leadership experience or help shape the future of a growing legal service, you'll find the opportunity to do so here. Alongside the opportunity to do meaningful work, this role benefits from an additional 11% Market Factor Supplement, recognising the specialist expertise required and making this one of the most attractive Adult Social Care legal opportunities in local government.
You’ll Also Benefit From
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
- Ongoing training, mentoring and professional development opportunities.
- Up to 32 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
- Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme.
- A comprehensive wellbeing offer, including an Employee Assistance Programme for you and your family.
- A culture where ideas are welcomed, achievements are recognised and colleagues genuinely support one another.
About You
You’ll be a qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive with substantial experience in Adult Social Care law. You’ll be comfortable dealing with complex legal issues, building relationships with senior stakeholders and providing clear, pragmatic advice in a fast-paced environment.
We're Looking For Someone Who Can Demonstrate
- Strong technical knowledge of Adult Social Care law and practice.
- Significant experience handling complex Court of Protection and Adult Social Care matters.
- The ability to provide practical, commercially aware legal advice.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
- Experience advising senior leaders and decision-makers.
- The confidence to lead on complex and high-profile matters.
- A collaborative approach and a commitment to developing others.
- A passion for delivering high-quality legal services that support positive outcomes for residents.
Our vision is ‘to make West Northants a great place to live, work, visit and thrive’. We truly stand by this and work hard every day to make this a reality. Our corporate values, THRIVE, stand for: Trust, High Performance, Respect, Innovate and Empower, they underpin everything we do and how we deliver services. We are committed to ensuring diversity, equality, equity, and inclusion is woven into the fabric of WNC and everything we do, to enable all colleagues to develop and maximize their full potential.
Principal Lawyer - Adult Social Care in Northampton employer: The Guildhall Northampton
At West Northamptonshire Council, we are dedicated to fostering a supportive and collaborative work environment where our employees can thrive. As a School Attendance Support Officer, you will be part of a passionate team committed to improving educational outcomes for children and young people, with access to flexible working arrangements, generous leave, and robust professional development opportunities. Join us in making a meaningful impact in the community while enjoying a culture that values trust, respect, and innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Lawyer - Adult Social Care in Northampton
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We think you need these skills to ace Principal Lawyer - Adult Social Care in Northampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Legal Knowledge:When applying for a full-time role in legal services at The Guildhall Northampton, make sure to demonstrate your understanding of key legal principles and areas of law relevant to the position. Include any specific coursework, modules, or certifications, like LPC or BPTC qualifications, that showcase your legal expertise directly on your CV.
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Tailor That Cover Letter!:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make it personal by expressing your genuine interest in The Guildhall Northampton and the specific role of Principal Lawyer - Adult Social Care. Talk about why you want to be part of their team, how your unique experiences align with their values, and why you’re passionate about the legal sector.
Stay Formal but Friendly:While we all know the legal world can be pretty formal, don’t be afraid to let a bit of personality shine through in your written application. Use a respectful tone, but feel free to inject a little warmth; this approach can help you stand out and show you're a great fit for The Guildhall Northampton’s culture!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Guildhall Northampton
✨Know Your Legal Principles
Brush up on foundational legal principles relevant to the specific area of law you’re applying for, whether it’s corporate, criminal, or family law. We might get asked situational questions to test your knowledge, so being articulate about key concepts will make you stand out.
✨Be Ready for Case Studies
Full-time legal roles often involve case studies during interviews. Prepare to analyse a hypothetical case and discuss your approach to it. Practising this with a peer or mentor can help us refine our reasoning and articulate a solid legal argument.
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As legal professionals, strong research skills are a must. Have examples ready of how you've effectively used legal databases or conducted thorough legal research in your past experiences. It's a great way to demonstrate your readiness for the role at The Guildhall Northampton.
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In the legal field, professionalism is key. During the interview, we should maintain good eye contact and communicate clearly to show that we’re not just knowledgeable, but also confident. This can make a positive impression on your potential colleagues at The Guildhall Northampton.
