THIS ROLE IS INTERNALLY RESTRICTED

To apply for this job, you must meet all of the following criteria:

• Be an employee of Kirklees Council.
• Be employed by Kirklees for the duration of the recruitment process – up to and including the start date.
• Have successfully completed your probationary period.

(Please note that if you work for an Academy, you are not an employee of the Council.)

Your employment status will be checked, if you do not meet the above requirements your application will be rejected. 

Do you want to make a difference to local people?

As one of the largest legal practices in the area, our dedicated  teams strive to get the best outcomes for people in Kirklees. 

This role forms part of our ongoing commitment to building a modern service to meet the needs of our safeguarding children and adult services.

We will consider newly qualified applicants to this role who are enthusiastic and committed to a career in our service.

The team

The Safeguarding Children and Adults Team is one of the specialist teams within Kirklees Legal Services.

We act for the council on a range of matters including Public Law Proceedings relating to children and in the Court of Protection. We  work closely with the council’s social work teams who provide services to vulnerable children and adults.

The role

The primary focus of this role is safeguarding children litigation. You will be expected to prepare cases for court using our excellent case management and court bundling systems. You will also appear as advocate, and instruct counsel where required.

You will also provide advice and representation in relation to safeguarding adults and be prepared to develop your skills in this area.

What you will bring

We are looking for someone who is a qualified, or soon to be qualified Solicitor holding a current practising certificate, a Barrister, or a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives and holds a Civil Proceedings Certificate (or who is a Legal Executive Advocate). 

Do you have any experience in the following areas?

We are looking for someone with some experience in at least one of the following areas, but experience in more than one area would be beneficial.

• Care Act 2014
• Children Act 1989 – Public & Private Law Applications
• Adoption and Children Act 2002 – Public & Private Law Applications
• Mental Health Act 1983, Community Care, Mental Capacity Act
• Judicial Review/Administrative Law
• Advocacy in public & private children proceedings
• Advocacy in public or private law adoption or special guardianship applications

We are looking for someone who can produce or has experience drafting application forms and complex court documentation to support Local Authority applications in public law children act proceedings.

Development

If you are ambitious to develop your skills and knowledge in legal services, and want to know more about the legal issues that affect a large local authority – this is the role for you.

We put a strong emphasis on training and personal development, and want to support you to be the best you can be.

As well as opportunities for you to learn and develop your skills, you’ll also have the chance to share your knowledge and experience to help others in the team develop.

You will be supported by an experienced team of Principal and Senior Lawyers, Assistant Legal officers and our business support colleagues.

Your benefits

Kirklees Council offers these benefits to all its employees:

• 27.5 days annual leave increasing to 32.5 after 5 years’ service (plus bank holidays).
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Travel and parking discounts
• Exceptional Maternity and Paternity leave policies
• Local Government Pension
• Access to Employee Healthcare that offers a range of services from counselling to physiotherapy and health assessments.
• Hybrid working

Learn more about Kirklees Council Staff Benefits.

Got questions?

If you would like to have an informal discussion about this role, please telephone Margaret Miller who is Head of the Safeguarding Children and Adults Legal Team on 01484 221 000.