Lawyer – Child Protection Team

Job title: Lawyer – Child Protection Team

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.

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