The starting salary for this role is £53,918- £60,864 per annum depending on experience. This salary is based on a 36-hour working week. We have one permanent role and one fixed term role for 12-months to cover maternity leave.

Are you looking for a new opportunity to develop your career in childcare law?

As a Senior Child Care Lawyer, you will join a supportive, successful and Lexcel accredited in-house legal team that delivers effective legal advice, representation and assistance to the Council.

Our team culture is one which is supportive and engaged. We have regular team away days where we connect and collaborate with one another, leaving us feeling motivated and energised about our roles.

We were recently nominated for a STARS in Surrey award for teamwork and get consistently excellent client feedback. Working together with frontline Children's Services to safeguard children, we play a pivotal role in the Council's drive to ensure no one is left behind.

We are looking for TWO senior Childcare Lawyers to join our team. One role is permanent, and one is a fixed term position for twelve months to cover a period of maternity leave. If you are interested in developing and enhancing your existing skills whilst undertaking quality and varied work in the area of child protection, we'd love to hear from you.

About you

You will be an experienced, ambitious and motivated lawyer with experience of handling a caseload of complex matters. You will be able to demonstrate experience of supervising others or a commitment and passion for developing your management and leadership skills.

About the role

You will be expected to carry out a range of key responsibilities, which will include:

• Contributing towards the management of the team
• Managing a varied and complex caseload consisting of both pre-proceedings and applications before the Court
• Undertaking advocacy on behalf of the County Council
• Providing expert legal advice to the Council in respect of its duties and responsibilities in respect of children and young people, including those in respect of adoption.

As a Senior Lawyer you will have an unrivalled opportunity to hold a complex, interesting and varied workload with the chance to develop yourself and others through supervision of junior members of the team whilst also being supported through training, regular supervision and development plans to continue learning and developing your expertise.

Location

The Legal Services Child Care Team are based at Quadrant Court in Woking. However, the Council adopts an agile working policy with flexible working arrangements which includes access to our offices in Reigate and Weybridge combined with remote or home working. We intend to continue working in a flexible manner in the future. The team are very approachable (even when working remotely!) so there will always be someone to provide you with support and discuss matters with.

Should you wish to join a large, friendly, dedicated and experienced team of lawyers please click the apply button below to submit your application!

The job advert closes at 23:59 on Wednesday 5th April 2023.

Interviews will take place on Wednesday 19th April our our Weybridge Office, Dakota, De Havilland Drive, Weybridge, KT13 0YP.

This post has been designated as a politically restricted post in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.

Benefits

From flexible working to job sharing (where possible) we are committed to providing a healthy work life balance. A laptop and mobile will be supplied if applicable to your role. You will benefit from 26 days annual leave, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service, a generous local government salary related pension, as well as the option to join our car lease scheme. For more information about the wide variety of benefits you can take advantage of please visit our website.

Our Commitment

Surrey County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer of first choice reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all under represented groups.