Have you got what it takes to support us in driving change and delivering positive change for children and families in a growing, diverse city?

The Southampton, Havant and Fareham Legal Services Partnership is an outcome focused service recognised for its dedication to improving the communities in which we live and work and delivering professional excellence. Winner of the Lawyers in Local Government Awards ‘Project Team of the Year’ in 2017, the Partnership went from strength to strength taking the top award for overall winner of Legal Team of the Year in 2018.

We provide strategic and professional advice and services covering all aspects of local government law. This role supports our busy child protection courts team.

A lawyer specialising in child protection is required to join our People and Courts Team. We want you to join our dynamic and growing team dealing with high profile and challenging cases, covering all aspects of children’s social care including care proceedings, pre-proceedings, adoption and deprivation of liberty matters, supporting the Council's priority to become a child-friendly city and for children to live safe and healthy lives.

Required: Experienced solicitor or barrister with substantial subject area experience, practicing solicitor or barrister with strong advocacy, negotiating and advisory skills and competence with IT and case management systems. You will need an enabling, positive approach to finding solutions to complex problems and have good appreciation of risk management / the ability to work flexibly across a multi skilled team. Please note that depending on your level of expertise, you will be appointed to Grade 11 with salary up to £58,865

For further information about this role please view the job description.

If you feel you have the necessary background, experience and skills to undertake this role we would like to hear from you.

What we can offer you:

Here at SCC we have a range of different benefits, a few examples can be found below.

• Excellent local government pension with 16.8% employer contribution
• Death in service benefit of x3 salary, and optional salary sacrifice shared cost AVC (additional voluntary contribution)
• Generous holiday 25–31 days, based on role and service
• Flexible working options (role-dependent)
• Family-friendly policies - Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, Shared/Unpaid Parental Leave, Time off for Dependents
• Training and development, including coaching and mentoring
• Health and wellbeing support - Employee Assistance Programme, Menopause Pledge, Mental Health First Aiders and access to a variety of staff networks
• Veteran-friendly employer with the Armed Forces Covenant
• Retail discounts and savings through the Southampton City Council benefits platform
• Discounted memberships at local sports and fitness centres
• Sustainable travel benefits - low emission car scheme, cycle to work, season ticket loans
• Employee volunteering scheme with 2 paid days leave to volunteer

For further information on our benefits package please visit:  Employee benefits (southampton.gov.uk)

Contact details for informal discussion:

For further information and details regarding the position please contact Claire Markwell, Team Leader, Childcare, Legal and Governance on 023 8083 2345 or email Claire.markwell@southampton.gov.uk

Interview Information:

Please note that the Council may offer candidates interviews while the recruitment remains open and reserves the option to appoint before the close of the recruitment period for the right candidate.

We may close the advert before the listed end date, please don't delay your application.