Senior Lawyer - Social Care

Community Care Live; Newport; Hybrid; GBP 49,000 - GBP 54,000; Full time

Job summary

A public service organization located in the UK is seeking a Senior Lawyer specialized in Social Care. The successful candidate will manage a full caseload primarily focused on care proceedings, supervise junior staff, and provide legal advice to the council on child care law. This permanent full-time role offers a competitive salary and encourages flexibility for a strong work-life balance. Join a supportive team dedicated to making a difference in the community with opportunities for professional growth.

Benefits

Annual leave entitlement of 32 days

Local Government pension scheme

Discounted Solent ferry travel

Travel allowance for mainland commuting

Cycle to work scheme

Discounted gym membership

Qualifications

• Relevant professional qualifications required.
• Judgement to identify and resolve issues effectively.
• Must be able to connect and engage with the team.

Responsibilities

• Manage a full caseload focusing on care proceedings.
• Supervise junior staff and trainees while providing advice.
• Support the wider council on child care law.

Skills

Qualified solicitor, barrister or CFILEX

Excellent interpersonal, persuasion and negotiating skills

Proven initiative and judgement

Motivated worker

Diplomatic worker

Job description

Overview

Senior Lawyer - Social Care

Contract type Permanent

Hours Full-time

Department Social Care Legal Team

Salary Grade 13, £49,600 to £53,191 per annum + Market supplement £3000 FTE

Location County Hall, Newport, Isle of Wight and agile working

Reference 2025_1325

Contact Mat Drake at [e-mail]

Close 37 hours per week

Responsibilities

Are you a proactive and capable Child Protection lawyer looking for an exciting new opportunity? We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Lawyer to join our Legal Services Team. You will manage a full caseload (8 to 10 cases) focused almost exclusively on care proceedings as there will be no SEN, Care Home or DOLS work. You will supervise junior staff and trainees alongside providing advice to the wider council and its members on child care law and/or adult social care law.

Why join us? We understand the importance of work-life balance and are happy to discuss suitable flexible and agile working arrangements to best fit your needs. You will be part of a dedicated team committed to making a difference in the community, working in a supportive environment with opportunities to work on diverse and challenging cases, and assist in projects, supporting professional growth.

What we are looking for

• Relevant professional qualifications (qualified solicitor, barrister or CFILEX)
• Proven initiative and judgement to identify, research and resolve problems with excellent interpersonal, persuasion and negotiating skills
• Motivated worker who will connect and engage with the team
• Diplomatic worker who is invested in securing the best outcomes for those we serve

For further information

For further information or an informal discussion, please contact Mat Drake at [e-mail]

Benefits

• Annual leave entitlement of 32 days p/a PLUS public holidays
• Local Government pension scheme
• Discounted Solent ferry travel
• Island bus network discount
• Cycle to work scheme
• Staff parking permit scheme
• Discounted island sports & leisure gym membership
• National and local discounts & benefits schemes
• Relocation scheme of up to £8,000 may be available for some roles (subject to criteria)
• Travel allowance may be available if commuting from the mainland (subject to criteria)

Additional notes Find out more about working for the Isle of Wight Council and living on the Island. The Isle of Wight Council currently does not have a license to sponsor overseas workers. We actively promote the diversity of our workforce, and provide flexible working options (where appropriate) to support the different needs of our employees. We are an equal opportunities employer, proud to encourage applications from all cultures, backgrounds and abilities to better reflect the diversity within our local community. We are a Disability Confident employer. Along with a number of commitments, this means, providing you meet the basic essential requirements of the advertised role and have declared yourself as disabled, you will be offered an opportunity for an interview within the council. The Isle of Wight Council protects its employees from discrimination, and this is supported by unacceptable behaviour policy, employee code of conduct, and our values, culture and inclusivity. The Isle of Wight Council’s Terms & Conditions of employment are available upon request. Please contact our recruitment team via [e-mail] if you would like to receive a copy. The Isle of Wight Council reserve the right to close vacancies earlier than stated, if required. To ensure your application is considered, it is recommended to submit your application promptly. This council and its schools recruit according to the council’s Recruitment, Policy and Procedure and are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. For support completing your online application or for further information on how to apply, phone [phone] or email [e-mail]. Only applications submitted online by the closing date will be accepted. We often receive a high volume of applicants for our vacancies. If you do not hear from the recruiting manager within three weeks of the closing date, we regret that your application will not have been successful on this occasion. Please revisit our job page for alternate posts that may be suitable. Please read the Application Guidance Notes before applying. If you are unable to complete this application, email [e-mail] or telephone us on 01983 823113