Are you looking for an exciting career opportunity? Then come and join our childcare legal team and work in a supportive friendly environment. The childcare legal team sits within Legal Services Lincolnshire and is a team in excess of 17 individuals. Each Lawyer and Principal Legal Officer works on a 1-2-1 basis with an allocated Legal Officer on a specialist caseload relating to the areas of public childcare law, including pre-proceedings, care proceedings, fostering and adoption.

Legal Services Lincolnshire (LSL) is a shared legal service hosted by the county council, offering legal advice to the county council, to seven of the county's district and borough councils as well as other public sector clients. Your client department will be Lincolnshire County Council Children's Services. Lincolnshire County Council is an outstanding Local Authority (OFSTED) and has a highly collaborative approach to working with the legal department.

We are looking for an enthusiastic Principal Legal Officer to join our childcare team to undertake autonomous case holding for pre-proceedings cases.

Do you have experience of handling a busy and varied caseload, within which you will rarely have two working days that are the same? Can you demonstrate good technical skills? Do you command the respect and trust of colleagues and clients? Are you a problem solver? If so, then we want you to join our growing friendly, supportive and well-respected Team.

Do you have experience in this field or if not, can you evidence good transferable skills (including advocacy) to move into this fast-paced area of the law? If you have the right skills, attitude and a passion for the role we will help you develop the rest. You will be well supported, and we guarantee you will find this a professionally rewarding and fulfilling role!

Applicants must have completed part 2/Advanced level of ILEX or have at least 7 years relevant experience and working knowledge of public law childcare matters. You must be an experienced case holder, who can evidence that you have had autonomous care and conduct of pre-proceedings cases. Please see the attached post outline as well as the Job Description for more specific details on this post.

We care about our staff so we want to offer you a competitive salary, generous holidays, ability to purchase additional leave, staff benefits scheme and access to our LGPS pension scheme. It is important to us that you have an excellent work/life balance.

The council has a smarter working policy which does provide a great degree of flexibility between home and office working. This post does however require some office attendance on a weekly basis, with the Childcare team day taking place each Tuesday.  There will also be the requirement of 1 x further office day each week, as a minimum.  You may also be required to attend court hearings across the week, dependant on listings and whether or not the hearings are remote or in person.

Lincolnshire is a great place to live and work. It has an impressive castle and Cathedral, with the medieval quarter being a great contrast to the lively and youthful feel of this University City. If you are looking for an opportunity to work in a beautiful city with a great team of experienced colleagues then please grasp this exciting opportunity and come join our childcare legal team.

To discuss this great role please call Nisha Kaypee for an informal chat on 01522 843095 or Jodie Ogden on 01522 552582 as they are keen to hear from you and answer any questions you may have about this role.

Applications close on 13th April 2025 with interviews scheduled to take place in person on 29th April 2025.

All candidates are advised to read the attached job information pack prior to making an application.

On occasion we receive significantly more applications than expected for some vacancies and under such circumstances we reserve the right to bring forward the closing date of the advertisement. We therefore strongly advise you to apply for the role promptly to avoid disappointment should the closing date be brought forward.

We operate a talent pool scheme whereby candidates who are not successful on this occasion may be considered for a period of up to 3 months for equal positions.

Lincolnshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

A Smarter Working Employer
We have embraced new ways of working and hybrid working will be a feature of this role. You will be given a nominated contractual work base and you will be required to commute to this work base when necessary.  Working arrangements regarding hybrid working will be discussed as part of the appointment process.

Our technology platform and equipment is very good enabling you to connect and collaborate remotely. We require that you have in place good connectivity, and we will discuss during the recruitment process if support with this is needed.

Fluency Duty
In accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.

Closing date: 13 April 2025

For further information or to apply, please click on the 'Enquire/Apply' button below.