This job is Temporary for up to 11 months due to service needs.

Kirklees Legal Services is one of the largest legal practices in the area and is responsible for all the legal work required by the Council.

The Safeguarding Children and Adults Team is one of the specialist teams within Legal Services and acts for the Council in connection with a wide range of matters including Public Law Proceedings relating to children, Court of Protection and generally advising the social work teams responsible for providing services to vulnerable children or adults.

The primary focus of this post is safeguarding children litigation and you will be expected to prepare cases for court, appear as advocate and instruct counsel where required.

You will also be expected to provide advice and representation in relation to safeguarding adults and be prepared to develop your skills in this area. There is a strong emphasis on training and personal development and you should have an aptitude to develop skills and knowledge in the range of legal issues affecting a large local authority.

You will need to be a qualified Solicitor holding a current practising certificate, or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives who holds a Civil Proceedings Certificate (or who is a Legal Executive Advocate).  Experience in at least one of the following areas of work is necessary and desirable for the others

• Care Act 2014
• Children Act 1989 – Public & Private Law Applications;
• Adoption and Children Act 2002 – Public & Private Law Applications;
• Mental Health Act 1983, Community Care, Mental Capacity Act and Judicial Review/Administrative Law;
• Advocacy in public & private children proceedings;
• Advocacy in public or private law adoption or special guardianship applications

You should have the ability and experience of drafting application forms and complex court documentation to support Local Authority applications in public law children act proceedings.

Flexibility and a positive approach are essential.

If you would like to have an informal discussion about these jobs please telephone Margaret Miller, Deputy Head of Legal Services (Children and Adults) on 01484 221 000

Closing date  

31 August 2020, 11:55 PM

To apply for this job as a secondment you must be a substantive employee of the Council with over 6 months continuous service and have successfully completed your probation period.  

Applications for secondments will only be accepted if approved by your manager, you will be asked to confirm on your application form that you have the relevant permission.  

If you are refused permission to apply for a secondment please contact HR Recruitment to register the refusal.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults and children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Related information

Job Profile Final.pdf – 202KB