Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team of lawyers in safeguarding and community services legal matters.
- Company: Join a supportive local council with a focus on community welfare.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the community while advancing your legal career.
- Qualifications: Experience in law, particularly in public law and child protection.
- Other info: Hybrid working options and a strong emphasis on wellbeing.
The predicted salary is between 51356 - 54495 £ per year.
About the role
Pay Details: £51,356 – £54,495 (Pro Rata), £26.62 - £28.25 Per Hour, (plus Market Forces Supplement of £8,000).
Hours of Work / Working Pattern: 37 Hours per week
Main Place of Work: Civic Offices, Barry and Hybrid Working
Contract Type: Permanent
We are recruiting a Principal Lawyer / Team Leader to lead and strengthen our Community Services legal function, influencing safeguarding decisions, supporting statutory responsibilities and ensuring high-risk matters are handled with confidence and care.
You will:
- Lead, mentor and support a team of specialist lawyers and support staff within the Community Services Legal Team.
- Manage a complex caseload including children’s public law proceedings, child protection, adoption, fostering and related education matters.
- Provide confident, timely and risk-aware legal advice to officers, senior managers and Members in sensitive and time-critical situations.
- Represent the Council in Family Court proceedings and manage contested and high-risk litigation.
- Strengthen early legal engagement in safeguarding decisions, promoting proportionate, defensible and well-evidenced practice.
- Promote strong governance, excellent client care and modern, resilient legal practice.
What we offer:
- Hybrid and flexible working arrangements
- Relocation support (where applicable)
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Generous annual leave entitlement
- Family-friendly policies
- Wellbeing support
- Ongoing professional development and leadership development opportunities
How to apply: You can apply for this post through the Council webpage 'Job Vacancies'
Interested? If you are interested in the role and would like an informal conversation, then please contact: Justine Cass – Operational Manager, Legal Services, Email: JCass@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk or Victoria Davidson, Monitoring Officer / Head of Legal and Democratic Services, Email: VDavidson@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk
Principal Lawyer - Community Services Team in Barry employer: Vale of Glamorgan Council
Contact Detail:
Vale of Glamorgan Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Lawyer - Community Services Team in Barry
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, especially those who work in community services. 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 knowledge of safeguarding laws and recent case studies. We want you to showcase your expertise and confidence when discussing sensitive legal matters.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to highlight your leadership skills! As a Principal Lawyer, you’ll be mentoring a team, so share examples of how you’ve successfully led projects or supported colleagues in the past.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for a smoother process! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, you can easily keep track of your application status there.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Lawyer - Community Services Team in Barry
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Principal Lawyer. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading a team, be sure to include examples of your leadership experience. We want to see how you've mentored others and managed complex situations in the past.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and get straight to the point about your qualifications and experiences relevant to the Community Services legal function.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application through our Council webpage under 'Job Vacancies'. This ensures we receive your application directly and can process it efficiently!
How to prepare for a job interview at Vale of Glamorgan Council
✨Know Your Legal Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the key areas of law relevant to community services, especially around child protection and public law. Being able to discuss recent cases or changes in legislation will show that you're not just knowledgeable but also passionate about the field.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
As a Principal Lawyer, you'll be leading a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully mentored or supported others in previous roles. Think about specific situations where your leadership made a difference, and be ready to share those stories.
✨Demonstrate Your Decision-Making Process
In this role, you'll need to make confident, timely decisions in high-pressure situations. Be prepared to discuss how you approach risk assessment and decision-making, particularly in sensitive cases. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! This shows your interest in the role and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you. Consider asking about the team's current challenges or how they measure success in their legal practice.