attorney Keynsham, England
Job description
Hours: 30 per week
Contract Type: Permanent
Service Area: People & Policy
Department: Legal & Democratic Services
We are seeking a dynamic childcare lawyer to join our busy Legal Services team.
You will be a qualified barrister/solicitor or legal executive with good Public Child Law experience within a Local Authority, a commitment to client care and strong advocacy skills.
The roles will involve advice and representation in relation to care proceedings, pre-proceedings, and other public law children matters. The work is sensitive, often complex and very rewarding.
You will be part of a friendly, supportive team and will have the benefit of shared paralegal and administrative support, as well as close collaboration with other members of the team.
About You
You will need to have the relevant legal knowledge and the ability to manage a demanding caseload.
You’ll need to have experience conducting advocacy on childcare cases at various hearings including contested hearings.
You should have good communication and IT skills, be able to act under pressure in the face of competing demands, and be able to work to tight deadlines.
It is expected that you will be able to work calmly, efficiently, and accurately under pressure in order to deal with the varied and fast-paced work in this field.
This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
Your main place of work will be the award-winning, modern Civic Centre in Keynsham, halfway between Bath and Bristol, easily accessible via car or public transport, with a train station 5 minutes’ walk away.
There will be an opportunity for hybrid working arrangements but you will be expected to attend the office regularly and attend meetings in person and remotely as required.
Why B&NES Council?
We offer a wide range of benefits, to ensure that you are paid fairly for your work, have the flexibility to enjoy a great work/life balance, and have the support you need. These include:
- A competitive salary package
- A range of flexible working and hybrid working options, including flexi-time, four regional offices and home-working, dependent on service requirements
- A generous holiday allowance and special leave provisions
- The Local Government Pension Scheme
- A comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme – whatever life throws at you; we are committed to supporting you and your well-being at work and home
- Professional and personal development including in-house training and accredited qualifications including Aspiring Manager and Leadership Development
- Discount scheme including the VECTIS card that offers numerous local discounts including cycle to work and free entry to numerous local attractions with B&NES
Interested to find out more?
If you are interested in this post and require more details after reading the job description or just to chat through the role and what’s involved, please contact Rachel O’Sullivan on 01225 395120 or email Rachel_O’[email protected]
To apply
Please use the online application facility.
For further information on applying please see “Application Form Help” page on the Jobs website.
Bath & North East Somerset Council has one overriding purpose – to improve people’s lives. We have four core values which shape every aspect of our working life and how we look to the future. These values are to be Bold, Empowered, Supportive and Transparent.
Please explain in your application how you could incorporate these values into the role you are applying for.
As an equal opportunities employer, Bath & North East Somerset Council is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and is opposed to discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender reassignment, or marriage and civil partnership.
We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us.
Safeguarding Statement:
The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. As part of this commitment anyone working in a post with children or vulnerable groups will be expected to undertake an Enhanced DBS check with/without barred list checks.
As this post involves working within one of these groups, we will require a Disclosure & Barring Service check and/or subscription to the DBS online service. The suitability of all prospective employees or volunteers will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment.
Please note the Council operates a policy of prior consideration for roles for any individual on the Council’s at-risk register. This means should a redeployee express an interest in this role, providing they meet the essential criteria for the role, they will be interviewed before any shortlisting or interviewing of external candidates.
