Lawyer (Inquiries & Investigation Team)

Job summary

Make a difference
Every role at CQC contributes to our mission, If you’re looking for a new role in Inquiries and Investigations that gives you a true sense of meaning and purpose, then you’ve found it! As a Lawyer, you’ll help us give clear, trusted legal guidance that supports CQC in delivering our responsibilities to Public Inquires and Independent Investigations

Picture this
You’ll be part of a team working on issues that matter to people across the country, offering legal insight that shapes how we respond to independent inquiries. Each day brings new challenges and the chance to solve problems that make a real difference.

As a Lawyer in the Inquiries and Investigations team, you might get the chance to work on:

• Supporting CQC’s response to a major public inquiry by advising teams on the legal risks and ensuring the right evidence is shared safely and lawfully.

• Leading complex casework that shapes new policies or improves how CQC approaches independent investigations

Job description

The role
You’ll play an important part in delivering our mission. In this role, you’ll:

• Provide clear legal advice: Offer accurate, accessible legal guidance across CQC, helping teams understand risks and make informed decisions.
• Support colleagues to grow: Coach and guide Legal Officers, Trainees and Paralegals so they can develop their skills and deliver great work.
• Lead complex legal work: Manage challenging casework and contribute to policy development, working with Public Inquiry Managers, Legal Managers and Senior Lawyers to meet directorate goals.

Person specification

Show us
We will be looking for specific skills, knowledge and experience in your application form:

• Qualified legal professional: You are a Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive eligible to practise in England and Wales, with relevant post‑qualification experience or substantial pre‑qualification experience in a regulatory or health and social care setting.
• Experience managing legal casework: You can handle a varied caseload, give clear legal advice, and explain complex issues in a way that others can understand.
• Ability to assess risk and support others: You can analyse legal risks in a fast‑moving environment, adjust priorities when needed, and help colleagues develop their skills.

Apply today to join a workplace where your impact is felt every day.

Benefits

The Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits, including:

• Annual leave starting at 27 days per year, rising to 32.5 days with service, plus bank holidays (usually 8 days per year).
• Training and development opportunities.
• Wellbeing initiatives, such as gym discounts and meditation.
• NHS pension scheme, with around 14% employer contribution.
• Discount schemes (including eligibility for a Blue Light card, at a cost of £4.99 and valid for 2 years), reward vouchers, car leasing and more!

Please see our benefits page for the full list.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

To apply, please click the ‘Apply at advertiser’s site’ button located at the bottom of this page.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Lorraine Reed, Public Inquiries Manager
• Email : Lorraine.Reed@cqc.org.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@cqc.org.uk

Further information

https://www.cqc.org.uk/

Attachments

20260319 Lawyer (IIT) JD Opens in new window (docx, 39kB)