Assistant Legal Officer - Adult & Children Safeguarding - INTERNAL

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. 

Kirklees Legal Services is one of the largest legal practices in the area and carries out legal work required by the Council. 

The team provides advice and advocacy services in the fields of Children Safeguarding and Specialist Provision, and Vulnerable Adults which includes the fields of Mental Health, Community Care. We are a large and busy team with a number of Solicitors, Assistant Legal Officers and support staff. 

You should have relevant experience in a legal office dealing with childcare work or court of protection, or other legal work at a similar level.  Knowledge of legal procedures relating to childcare or family proceedings is desirable and English to GCSE level or the ability to demonstrate equivalent competencies are essential.

The job is demanding but highly rewarding.

You will receive comprehensive training and support on our first class case management and court bundling software.

Kirklees Council is committed to developing its staff by developing career pathways for our Assistant Legal Officers to achieve more senior and qualified roles in house. In particular, we are delighted to offer the opportunity to Assistant Legal Officers who hold the relevant qualifications (a 2:2 honours degree in law, or a 2:2 honours degree in a non-law subject and a minimum pass in a PGDL/GDL) to apply for the Solicitor SQE Apprenticeship scheme (subject to the completion of a satisfactory probation period). This fully funded development opportunity is open to applications from substantive employees of Legal Services to train as a solicitor alongside their current role. 

Kirklees Council offers these benefits to all its employees!

• 5 days annual leave increasing to 32.5 after 5 years’ service.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Travel and parking discounts
• Exceptional Maternity and Paternity leave policies
• Local Government Pension
• Access to Employee Healthcare that offers a whole range of services from counselling, Physiotherapy and Health assessments

Kirklees offers many other benefits that become available to you once appointed, to get more of insight into these please click this link - Staff Benefits (kirklees.gov.uk)

Flexibility and a positive approach are essential, along with a desire to work as part of a supportive and committed team.