SEN/Education Lawyer

North Northamptonshire (Local Authority role)

Initial 3-6 month contract

Rate: Umbrella, negotiable - Indicate rate sought

37 hours per week

We require an experienced SEN/Education Lawyer who is also willing and able to carry out tribunal hearings.

• Provide legal advice and services as requested to the Council, its Members and it’s clientdepartments commensurate with experience to ensure that the implications of local government law are complied with and understood, including adequately representing the Council in courts and tribunals
• Supervision of junior members of the team.
• Support senior lawyers with the drafting and provision of advise on reports for the Cabinet,Cabinet Members, Council Committees and Sub-Committees and to attend Committees and other meetings as may be required, which may include meeting out of normal office hours, ensuring that all procedural and standing order requirements are complied with.
• Support and contribute to the effective delivery of the council’s objectives and priorities.
• Support achievement of the team’s income target.
• Monitor and share changes in the law and practice as appropriate and implement changes topolicy and processes when necessary, informing client departments of changes in the law and practice when they occur.
• Respond to queries and calls promptly and professionally, using effective communication andengagement.
• Ensure complete and proper digital and physical records are maintained as appropriate relatingto all work undertaken including time records using the service’s case management and time recording system.
• Work collaboratively with other teams and support the training and development of colleaguesand clients.

Criteria:

1. Effectively and appropriately provide and communicate legal advice commensurate to experience to Members, Officers and other stakeholders generally and at committee meetings.
2. Good negotiating and influencing skills.
3. Experience in the following areas of work:
4. Providing general and specialist Education/SEN legal advice
5. Advocacy in courts and tribunals, pre-action and Judicial Reviewmatters
6. School admissions appeals and exclusion appeals processes
7. Advising on law, policy, strategy and procedure relating toEducation/SEN issues
8. Effective management of competing demands and tight deadlines.
9. Flexible, positive can-do approach to managing change and work demands.

If you have any questions about this role or wish to apply, please contact isobel@deekay.co.uk who will respond at the earliest convenience.