Court Progression Co-ordinator - Chlidrens Social Care

Court Progression Co-ordinator

Directorate: Children and Family Services

Section: Children's Social Care

Grade: Level 7

Hours: 37 hours per week

This advert is open to both internal and external applicants

About us

We are a city of strengths, with a proud heritage and bright future. Working for Stoke-on-Trent City Council is more than just a job; it is about making, protecting and improving services for local people, reducing inequalities and improving independence for those who live and work in the city. That is where you come in. We are looking for people of the highest calibre, with the skills, knowledge and experience to help us deliver our compelling vision.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council's diverse and talented workforce is its greatest asset. The skills, knowledge and experience of our employees are essential to delivering our ambitions for the organisation and the city. We want to be an employer people are proud to work for, where staff are supported, developed and rewarded in an inclusive way that helps them excel and deliver the high-quality services our residents need.

Further information on why work for us.

Join Our Children and Families Service

We are growing and developing our Children and Families workforce as part of an ambitious programme of service transformation. We are looking for talented, committed and values-led professionals to join us.

The Role

Working directly with the Court Progression Manager, you will provide accurate and timely legal and administrative support for care proceedings. Your work will help individual cases and wider court processes meet the council's statutory responsibilities to children.

About You

• A law degree, or proven experience in a similar or related role, together with a commitment to social care law.
• A good understanding of the legal environment and the law relevant to the role.
• Excellent written skills and the ability to prepare accurate, high-quality legal documentation.
• The ability to manage competing deadlines and maintain standards when working under pressure.
• Strong interpersonal skills and confidence communicating with courts, solicitors, barristers and internal services.
• Good IT skills, sound judgement, discretion and a strong commitment to confidentiality.

Key Responsibilities

• Support solicitors and senior solicitors with the conduct and administration of caseloads.
• Assist with court applications, statements and documentation, including care and emergency protection proceedings.
• Prepare and update bundles for hearings in the Magistrates', County and High Courts.
• Undertake legal and practice research and provide accurate information to the team.
• Liaise with clients, partner agencies, courts, solicitors and barristers' chambers.
• Monitor deadlines, maintain professional standards and contribute to continuous service improvement.

Why Join Us?

• Build specialist experience at the point where children's social care and law meet.
• Support timely, well-prepared care proceedings that improve outcomes for children.
• Join a team committed to professional standards, development and service improvement.

What we offer

• A competitive salary based on your skills, experience and talent.
• Hybrid and flexible working options, where these are compatible with the needs of the role and service.
• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Professional development through learning opportunities, regular training and apprenticeship and management programmes.

Further information on our Rewards and Benefits can be found online.

Want to know more?

If you would like to discuss the role further, please contact:

Sara Banks Head of Service- Children & Families

Sara.Banks@stoke.gov.uk

Pre-employment checks

Any offer of employmentwill be subject to the successful completion of required pre-employment checks. These may include:

• Right to Work in the UK.
• Proof of address.
• Satisfactory references.
• Occupational Health clearance.
• Evidence of relevant professional qualifications or registrations.
• A DBS check at the appropriate level.

Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and we expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. This position is exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the successful applicant will be subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Additional information

If an employee who is currently at risk of redundancy within the organisation applies for this vacancy, their application will receive priority. If this happens, you will be advised accordingly.

Your career matters here. At Stoke-on-Trent City Council, we are committed to helping our people thrive. From competitive pay and a supportive working environment to opportunities for development and career progression, we invest in our workforce because we know it is our greatest asset. We are building an inclusive organisation that reflects the communities we serve, where everyone is welcomed, valued and encouraged to make a difference.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Stoke-on-Trent City Council, we believe our strength comes from the diversity of our community, and we want our workforce to reflect that. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences. We understand that some people, especially those from underrepresented or marginalised backgrounds, may hesitate to apply if they do not meet every listed requirement. If this role interests you and you think you could be a good fit, we encourage you to apply. We are proud of what makes each of us unique and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels included, can be themselves and can succeed together.

To Apply

Please create or log in to your account and click 'apply'. If you have any queries or need an application form in another format, email recruitment@stoke.gov.uk or call 01782 238189.

• Do you have the Right to Work in the UK?

Court Pr... (.pdf) (244kb)