Legal Officer - Req23830 Leeds, England
Job description
As a Legal Officer you will have attained 2 A’levels (or equivalent) or paralegal qualification, or 4 GCSEs with 12 months experience of working in a legal environment, with a passion for family law from a local authority perspective. The benefits of this post include a competitive salary, generous annual leave entitlement, training and development, flexible working, including working from home, and opportunities to support your journey to qualification.
Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.
About you
As a Legal Officer you will bring to the role:
- Excellent drafting and communication skills.
- Excellent IT skills.
- Ability to work flexibly and as part of a team.
- Ability to work within time constraints.
- Some knowledge of law and practice as it relates to children’s social care.
About the role
This is an opportunity to protect and safeguard the most vulnerable members of the city, whilst contributing to the policies and decision making about this complex and interesting area of law.
As our next Legal Officer (C3) you’ll have the opportunity to develop your skills, knowledge and experience, with the support of an excellent team of colleagues. Including team managers, principal legal officers, other legal and senior officers, and legal assistants.
The role is integral to our Social Care, Legal Section which supports and advises an Ofsted rated ‘outstanding’ Childrens and Families department, on a range of children’s social care matters including safeguarding, private law, adoption, forced marriage, and deprivation of liberty. The section consists of over 30 colleagues with a wealth of knowledge and experience and a commitment to providing the very best service.
What we offer you
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:
- A competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
- Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
- A clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
- A range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
How to apply
Apply for this job online. Please upload your CV and complete a personal statement of no more than 500 words.
Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.
If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Rebecca Roberts, Section Head. Call 0113 3789134 or email [email protected]
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve.
Leeds City Council is an Inclusive employer, ranked 70 on the Stonewall top 100 employers 2023 list.
We are also an Age friendly employer, a Mindful employer and a Disability Confident leader.
All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period.
This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.
Leeds City Council Job Profile
Directorate Strategy and Resources
Service Area Legal Services (Social Care)
Job Title Legal Officer
Grade C3
Reports to Team Leader (Social Care)
Responsible for N/A
Job purpose to undertake legal work for and on behalf of Social Care (Legal), including where appropriate, advocacy and preparation for hearings. Some clerical duties may also be required.
To carry out legal work primarily within the team and section named above but the post holder could be required to carry out work within other teams or sections in Legal Services.
Responsibilities
- To give written and oral advice as appropriate.
- To assist Officers in Legal Services with legal work
- Drafting documents - including drafting, issuing and serving Court documents.
- Preparing cases for hearing in Courts, including drafting letters, taking witness statements, collating and redacting evidence, arranging for the attendance of witnesses at Court and preparing Instructions to Counsel.
- Attendance at Courts with Counsel.
- To undertake legal research.
- Post-Court work to inform Clients of outcomes.
- Maintaining and operating computerised systems.
- Dealing with enquiries/correspondence from external solicitors, the court and other agencies.
- The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.
Qualifications
2 A-levels (grade A-C), or paralegal qualification (e.g., affiliate member of CILEX with 5 level 3 units) or equivalent qualification.
OR, 4 GCSEs (grade A-C) and 12 months experience of working within a legal environment within the last 5 years.
Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.
- To draft and prepare clear and concise reports, letters and memoranda.
- To relate effectively to people at different levels inside and outside the Council.
- To work and communicate effectively as a member of a team.
- To prioritise and organise workload.
- To possess or have the ability to develop IT skills.
- To work within time constraints.
- To work with minimum supervision within a supportive environment.
- To grasp and assimilate new information quickly.
- To deal sensitively with situations involving people who are experiencing distress or personal or other difficulties.
- To adopt a flexible approach.
- To express concepts and ideas clearly.
- To negotiate with external organisations (including legal and other professional representatives and Court Officers).
- Knowledge of office procedures and practice
- Experience of using IT systems such as Windows (Word, Excel, Databases).
- Experience of organising and planning own work with minimum supervision.
- Experience of dealing with enquiries and correspondence from a wide range of people.
- Experience of working as a member of a team.
Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics
- Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
- Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
- Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
- Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
- Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
- Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
- Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
- Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
- Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
- Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
- The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
Desirable requirements It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.
- Knowledge of Quality Management Systems
- Knowledge of law and practice relating to Local Government.
- Knowledge of law and practice relating to Social Services.
- Experience of working in a legal office.
- Experience of working for a Local Authority.
- Experience of childcare legal work.
