Children's Safeguarding Solicitor (Legal)

Belmont Recruitment are currently looking for a Children's Safeguarding Solicitor (Legal) to join Cheshire West and Chester Council on an initial 3-month temporary contract. This is a full-time role working 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide up to date, high quality legal advice and representation to Officers of the Council to ensure operational decisions are taken on a sound legal basis to enable the Council to deliver its’ statutory functions to safeguard children and young people

• Develop and maintain professional working relationships with Children’s Social Care colleagues to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people

• Hold responsibility for a busy case load of Court cases and Public Law Outline (PLO) cases in Pre-Proceedings, working proactively to ensure all Court directions and other deadlines are met and the best possible outcomes for children are achieved

• Undertake advocacy at Court in contested and non-contested hearings. This will include representing the Council in prehearing discussions and requires strong negotiation skills, assertiveness, and confidence to advance a case on behalf of the Local Authority sometimes in the face of opposition from Counsel, Solicitors, and the Judiciary

Essential Requirements

• Be a Qualified as Solicitor or Barrister or Legal Executive (with litigation rights)

• Have a minimum of 2 years’ experience in relevant legal practice.

• Be able to use Council Information Technology (IT) Systems and Digital Applications (0365 Microsoft)

• Have an understanding of the services the Council provide and Local Government and how they operate

• Have a thorough knowledge and understanding of The Children Act and other legislation relevant to the area of work

Please apply with an up-to-date CV ASAP if this role would be of interest to you!