We're looking for a range of Senior Lawyers to join our specialist legal teams to offer technical knowledge in the areas of Adults Social Care, Childcare and Education. This is an excellent opportunity for dynamic and experienced solicitors, barristers or chartered legal executives to enhance our busy but friendly Legal Teams.

The ideal Senior Lawyers will be proactive and self-motivated; with excellent technical skills in the area specialism.

As Senior Lawyer (Adults) you will have extensive experience in dealing with a wide range of Adults Social Care matters. This includes handling a caseload of complex cases, and advice which will include matters such as (but not limited to):

• Court of Protection
• Deprivation of Liberty
• Mental Capacity Act
• Care Act

As Senior Lawyer (Childcare) you will have extensive experience in dealing with a wide range of Childcare Law matters. This includes handling a caseload of complex cases, and advice which will include matters such as (but not limited to):

• Representing the local authority in relation to childcare matters, including at meetings and court
• Workload will consist of pre-proceeding and care cases
• Undertaking all necessary preparation of cases
• Taking part in duty rota

As Senior Lawyer (Education) you will have extensive experience in dealing with a wide range of Education Law matters. This includes handling a caseload of complex cases, and advice which will include matters such as (but not limited to):

• Special Educational Needs tribunal/appeals
• Providing advice and support to schools
• School admissions

We are looking for Senior Lawyers who have excellent communication skills both written and verbal. The ability to deliver complex advice clearly and communicate effectively with officers internally, and externally with courts, barristers, professional bodies and members of the public is essential.

You will have a willingness to embrace change and, in time, develop your own ideas about how the wider team can function efficiently and effectively.

Local government legal work is varied and whilst at times it can be challenging, it is also very rewarding.

There will be times when you need to work under pressure and balance conflicting priorities, however, you will be supported in doing this. You will also be supported to demonstrate a commitment to your own professional development and a willingness to undertake training and develop new skills as required.

As Senior Lawyer, you will receive the following benefits:

• Generous annual leave entitlement - 28 days per year (rising to 33 after 5 years' service), plus Bank holidays
• Enrolment to the Local Government Pension Scheme
• Flexible working arrangements include access to homeworking, co-working spaces and office working
• Access to a package of benefits including a discount card for a range of retailers, cycle to work and car lease schemes and discounted leisure facilities

How to apply for the Senior Lawyer role:

If you think you've got what we're looking for and are keen develop your career at a progressive, forward-thinking Council which places its staff at the heart of what it does, we'd like to hear from you.

These vacancies are being managed by Sellick Partnership so if you are interested in applying, please apply by clicking the link below, alternatively please contact Natalie Atherall at Sellick.

Working at Wirral

You’ll also want to know what it’s like to work here so, as a start:

Our values are more than just pieces of paper on our walls! We’ve all played a role in developing these, so they reflect the immense pride we have in what we do, what matters to us, what inspires us and inform how we think, approach things and behave.

We believe in ensuring staff are well looked after, staff wellbeing is a priority for us. We’re serious about recognising and rewarding people for the great things they do. You’ll benefit from our track record of developing, growing and investing in our people.

We have a range of staff benefits including staff discounts, an excellent pension scheme which includes a generous employer contribution rate, immediate life cover and ill-health protection. We have a strong flexible working approach, hybrid working, family-friendly employment initiatives and an annual leave package starting with 28 days leave plus public holidays.

We have an inclusive, engaged culture, everyone has a voice, everyone is valued for their contribution and understands the role they play in delivering our strategic priorities.

Each voice is heard, each contribution valued. We embrace diversity in our workforce and recognise it is critical to our success. We support an inclusive culture that champions differences and nurtures a sense of belonging. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds, who share our values and our commitment to inclusion to apply for roles with us.

We want you to be your best at work, we create the conditions to help you thrive and we mirror this in our recruitment process. If you’d like us to do anything differently during the recruitment process to make it barrier-free and as accessible as possible please contact recruitment@wirral.gov.uk

Please note that in accordance with the Council’s policy, employees who are in a formal redeployment situation will be considered in the first instance for all vacancies.

It is Council policy not to re-appoint any employee who has left under the terms of the Council's Early Voluntary Retirement (EVR) scheme or who have left with a voluntary severance (VS) package, unless in exceptional circumstances.

All applicants invited to interview must evidence their right to work in the UK.  Details of required documents can be found by clicking the link at the bottom of the Jobs page.

Applications will be accepted until midnight on the closing date.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the specified date should we receive sufficient applications.