The Adult Social Care and Education Legal Team is a hard-working, highly motivated team of legal professionals striving to deliver the best possible legal service to our client departments. We work proactively and collaboratively in a friendly and supportive environment to achieve the best outcomes.

We are looking to recruit a professional with experience in both Adult Social Care and Education matters, with a particular specialism in Education work.

The role will involve advising and representing the Adult Social Care department on all aspects of Adult Social Care law and practice including advice and representation in Court of Protection proceedings, and providing advice on e.g. Care Act duties, Mental Capacity and Deprivation of Liberty, Ordinary Residence queries/disputes, Mental Health Act queries and Safeguarding.

The role will involve advising and representing the Education department on all aspects of education law and practice e.g. school admissions and exclusions, admissions appeals, policies etc. There will be a particular focus on advising on parental disputes relating to Education Health Care Plans, and representation in appeals to the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Tribunal.

We welcome applications from Solicitors, Barristers and Legal Executives with experience of Adult Social Care and Education matters, in particular SEND Tribunal matters.

We offer a range of employee benefits including generous leave entitlement, flexible working, hybrid working, excellent pension provisions, Employee Assistance Programme, Wellbeing Service and Vivup rewards scheme. We are based in modern offices in the Town Hall which is close to transport links.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Samantha Vickery, Principal Solicitor for Adult Social Care and Education on 01254 585546 or email Samantha.vickery@blackburn.gov.uk

The role is subject to Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council’s vetting process and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.