Social Care Lawyer

Location

Powys, Wales | United Kingdom

Job description

Job Category: Professional
Location: Powys County Hall, Powys County Council
Hours Per Week: 37.00
Start Date: Immediate Start
Start Time: 09:00
End Time: 17:00
Salary: £45.00

Main Purpose of Post:
⦁ To be responsible for Social Care law matters in regards to Childcare and Adult Services.
⦁ To ensure that robust and effective legal advice is provided and ensuring representation for the Council in Courts, Tribunals, Inquiries, Hearings and Negotiations.

1. To undertake, provide and assist in the legal services provided to Childcare and Adult Services;
2. To represent the Council in legal and quasi legal proceedings in negotiations and generally in its relations with outside bodies and the public;
3. To ensure robust legal management systems are in place and that all legal proceedings comply with the public law order (PLO) timescales;
4. To understand the needs of the Childcare and Adults services and that there are clear and established understandings of the legal teams’ accountabilities;
5. To maintain an up to date knowledge of relevant legal issues and legal practice management matters;
6. To attend Case Conferences and any other meetings as required, to ensure the provision of effective and efficient legal advice/service is provided;
7. To prepare complex legal documentation and negotiate thereon with outside bodies, to include the preparation and drafting of all legal documentation required in the preparation of Court proceedings;
8. To actively assist in the case and file management systems adopted by the legal services department with the aim of obtaining “Lexcel”  accreditation or equivalent standard;
9. To appear on behalf of the Council in the Magistrates Court, County Court, High Court and Tribunals on Child Care matters or any other matter as allocated by the Principal Solicitor;
10. To ensure continual professional development and that good practice and lessons learnt are captured and systems are in place to ensure wherever necessary practice is reviewed;

Experience:
⦁ Advocacy at all levels
⦁ Child  Care Legal Practice
⦁ Vulnerable Adult Legal Practice
⦁ Experience of providing guidance and support to colleagues and social care legal team to enable effective decision making
⦁ An excellent track record of building internal and external relationships which deliver
⦁ Demonstrates a responsive and effective customer focused approach

Knowledge:
⦁ Good knowledge of Child Protection and Vulnerable Adult Law and Practice
⦁ Good knowledge of Local Government Structures and Practices

Qualifications & Training:
⦁ A qualified lawyer holding a current Practising Certificate
⦁ Possession of a current Driving Licence
⦁ Membership of a relevant professional body

Personal Qualities:
⦁ Excellent communication and negotiation skills and an ability to influence outcomes with reasoning, persuasion and tact
⦁ Organised and self disciplined 
⦁ Ability to work to deadlines and plan ahead
⦁ Resilient and perceptive
⦁ Strong commitment to Local Government and Public Service

Skills:
⦁ Strong written communication skills
⦁ Strong interpersonal skills
⦁ Ability to mentor and support others

Job tags

Salary