Solicitor and Team Leader

Internal only

This vacancy is only open to North Somerset Council employees and agency workers contracted to North Somerset Council.

About Us

North Somerset Council is committed to providing high-quality services to our community. We are committed to creating a fair, green, and more inclusive environment for all our residents. Join us and contribute to making a positive impact on our community.

The Role

We are seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic Team Leader to join our Child Protection Legal Team. The Child Protection Legal Team are responsible for all aspects of legal work arising from Children’s Services with an emphasis on child protection advice and conducting childcare cases through both a pre-proceedings process and the Court.

In this role, you will lead and manage a team:

• To deliver high quality and effective legal services to actively support the Council’s aims, objectives and priorities;
• To provide accurate and relevant legal advice and information in support of decision making and optimising the performance of the organisation;
• To work closely with Children’s Services as a principal responsibility and additionally support the management and performance across the Child Protection Legal Team to provide specialist legal advice and support to the client department in relation to the protection of vulnerable children.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the Child Protection Legal Team.
• Lead on the provision of comprehensive and consistent legal advice and professional support within the principal area of responsibility.
• Manage and oversee legal casework towards positive outcomes.
• Build capability in leaders and managers in relation to legal matters relevant to their area of work.
• Oversee and support regulatory compliance in Council actions, decisions, policy and processes.
• Manage a service that is aligned to strategic direction and operational objectives.

Work Style

At North Somerset Council, we offer a hybrid working environment based on four distinct work styles. Depending on the role and personal circumstances, you will fall into one of these categories. However, please note that during the induction period, it may be necessary to spend more time in the office to support your learning and development. We are flexible and open to discussions about your preferred working style, and if you wish to be in the office more frequently, this can be negotiated.

This role falls into the category of Mobile/Field Worker which means you can expect to work in the following way:

• 0-1 day in the office
• Includes field workers who primarily work remotely.
• Comes into the office for meetings or focused work. Virtual connections with the team are essential, with portable technology supporting work on the go.

About You

We are looking for an individual who is passionate about the law relating to children and who possesses the following qualifications, skills and experience:

Essential Criteria:

• Qualified Solicitor or Barrister holding current Practicing certificate.
• Extensive experience in the role of Solicitor or Barrister in principal area of responsibility and expert professional knowledge of specialist area of legal practice.
• Expert professional knowledge of Public Sector law and Governance arrangements.
• Managing a legal team / demonstrating leadership: able to coach, mentor and motivate a team.
• Effective relationship building with clients, demonstrating customer service excellence, communication and issues management.
• Relationship building and communication: able to influence, inform and engage with the Local Family Justice Board, neighbouring authorities, safeguarding partners (such as health and the police) and other external contacts and agencies.
• Budget management.
• Strategic thinking: able to align programmes and function plans with the wider organisational vision and direction.
• Data analysis: able to interpret complex and contentious data and information objectively and advise on legal and appropriate courses of action.
• Policy and process development: able to interpret and apply legislation and good practice within policy and align processes.
• Organisation and time management: able to meet multiple deadlines.
• Attention to detail: able to interpret legislation and prepare accurate legal documentation.

Desirable Criteria:

• Leadership and Management qualification (Chartered Institute of Management or similar).

What We Offer

At North Somerset Council, we value our employees and provide a supportive and inclusive work environment.

We Offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Local Government Pension.
• Opportunities for professional development.
• Inclusive Staff groups including Carers, Disabled, LGBTQ+, REACH (Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage), and Young Staff Forums.
• Opportunity to purchase up to an additional 10 days annual leave each year.
• Dedicated in house Wellbeing Team.
• Salary sacrifice Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle schemes.

Further details of our excellent rewards package can be found in our Benefits booklet.

How To Apply

If you share our vision and values and are ready to make an impact to North Somerset, please select the apply online button below. If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please submit your application by 11.59pm on the application closing date. When completing our online application form, please detail how you meet the essential criteria for the role.

Contact Information

For further information about the role, please contact Nicholas Brain (Solicitor), Assistant Director Legal & Governance and Monitoring Officer at Nicholas.Brain@n-somerset.gov.uk

Important Information

As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job role.

Interview Date: Friday 27 February 2026.

In order to facilitate succession planning and due to sufficient interest expressed by potential internal applicants, it has been deemed that this post is suitable for internal advertisement only.

Please note: We are currently only able to accept applications from candidates who have full permission to work in the UK and are unable to provide Sponsorship for this role.

Equal Opportunities

At North Somerset Council we want all our employees to feel valued and appreciated. We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and prevent discrimination irrespective of your sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, age, disability, including neurodiversity, if you are married or in a civil partnership or are pregnant or currently on maternity leave. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We reserve the right to close this advertisement early or extend the closing date depending on the number of applications received.