Community Services Lawyer – Legal Services – Cleantech People (2024)

Reference no: Islington RQ1305689

A DBS disclosure is listed as a requirement for this role; however the level of disclosure has not been specified by the client

A Community Services Lawyer is required to provide high level and proactive advice and assistance in Social Services law, including acting as an in-house advocate and to have conduct of a Social Services caseload.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide specialist and pro-active legal advice and assistance at a senior level on all aspects of Social Services matters (including childcare, adoption, judicial reviews, community care and mental health).
• Act as in-house advocate and undertake a minimum of 12 hearings per year in Social Services cases and to assist the Principal Advocacy Lawyer (Advocacy) and the Principal Lawyer (Childcare) in monitoring and reducing the spend on Counsel.
• Advise on the Council’s powers and its decision-making process and assist in ensuring the legality of its decision-making.
• Consider and give advice on committee and other similar reports and to attend committee as required.
• Take a lead in developing policy and good practice within the post holder’s area of responsibility.
• Deal with corporate complaints and Member enquiries as and when required.
• Assist with client liaison, provide clients and chief lawyer with regular updates on caseloads, to input data as required for reporting purposes and to draft reports as required.
• Use information technology systems in accordance with Council standards.
• Undertake other duties commensurate to the grade of the post.

NB: Please feel free to apply to us direct via vacancies@cleantechpeople.com by quoting the job reference and job title exactly.

To help speed up the process of uploading your CV to the client we would suggest that you send us your CV in Word format (or equivalent) if possible, rather than as a PDF.

If you are successful in securing this role, please note that for the entire duration of this contract, regardless of extension you will be working this role at the PAYE rate that has been advertised. For absolute clarity, we only work on a PAYE basis, rather than entertaining umbrella pay terms, we do not offer Ltd/umbrella or outside IR35 rates. If you wish to understand PAYE vs Umbrella more, please let us know and we can send you some additional information for clarity.

Due to the number of CVs being sent to us under current market conditions, we cannot, unfortunately, respond to all applications. If, therefore, you have not heard from us within 3 days please make a working assumption that you have not been shortlisted on this occasion. We will, however, be very happy to receive future applications from you for other roles.

Please quote the Job Title & Vacancy Reference No. in your application, or we will be unable to match your CV to the role being applied for.

Other “Essential Requirements” – Please check to ensure that your CV addresses the following items:

Qualifications:

• Admitted solicitor or qualified barrister with childcare experience in public law proceedings.

Experience:

• Experience of advocacy and of dealing with complex social services matters including childcare, adoption, judicial review, community care and mental health.

Knowledge:

• A thorough knowledge of the law and practice relating to social services including childcare, adoption, judicial review, community care and mental health.
• Thorough knowledge of Judicial Review Process and the procedure of the High Court, County Court and Magistrates Court in relation to Social Services Law.

Skills & Abilities:

• Ability to communicate well in writing and verbally with good presentation skills.
• Ability to obtain evidence, evaluate evidence, prepare cases and appear as an advocate on behalf of the Council in Courts Tribunals and Inquiries, particularly in the Family Proceedings court and Magistrates court.
• Ability to work with minimum supervision and as part of a team.
• Ability to comply with good practice management standards as laid down by the Law Society or other relevant body.
• Ability to use Information Technology for the purpose of casework and the provision of performance and management information.
• Ability to adhere to the Council’s Dignity for All Policy.
• Strong IT skills including Microsoft packages or equivalent (e.g. G Suite).

Unless the DBS requirement stated above is for a Basic Disclosure, your DBS must be either through us or be accompanied by a subscription to the DBS updating service.

SC