Senior Lawyer (Children & Families)
Manchester City Council

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Grade 10 | £54,143 - £56,293 (bar at £55,224)
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced children and families lawyer seeking a role that combines high-quality legal work, advocacy, strategic involvement and the opportunity to influence outcomes for children, families and local communities across Manchester.

About the Team
Manchester City Council's Legal Services team is recognised nationally for delivering innovative, high-quality public sector legal services. The service provides legal support across Manchester and Salford City Councils, as well as a range of external public sector clients, and plays a key role in supporting strategic decision-making and policy development.
The Children & Families Legal Group provides legal advice and representation on all matters relating to the safeguarding and protection of children. The team combines its role advising on multi-agency safeguarding arrangements with strategic support to Children's Services and also provides specialist advice on the disclosure of children's and adults' social care records and education records.
At the heart of everything the team does is:

• The safety and needs of children.
• The legal representation of Children's Services.

There is significant opportunity to contribute to the continuing development of legal services supporting Children's and Education Services, helping to deliver key objectives around permanence for children and locality-based service delivery.

Your New Role
As a Senior Lawyer, you will act as a legal lead and subject matter expert within the Children & Families Legal Group, managing a complex caseload while supporting the wider development of the team and service.
You will provide specialist legal advice to senior officers, clients and stakeholders, handling matters that are often high-value, complex, sensitive and strategically important.
Key responsibilities will include:

• Managing a complex caseload of children's social care and safeguarding matters.
• Providing expert legal advice to Children's Services and partner organisations.
• Conducting advocacy and representing the Council in contested proceedings where appropriate.
• Advising on complex issues relating to local government law and children's services.
• Building and maintaining strong client relationships across the organisation.
• Supporting and mentoring junior lawyers and assisting senior managers with team development.
• Delivering training and guidance to clients and stakeholders.
• Contributing to service-wide initiatives, strategy development and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrating sound judgement and political awareness when advising on sensitive and high-profile matters.

What You'll Need to Succeed

• Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, Chartered Lawyer or CILEX Fellow holding a current practising certificate
• Significant experience advising on children and families law matters
• Experience managing complex, high-value and sensitive legal cases
• Strong advocacy, drafting and advisory skills
• Sound understanding of local government practice and decision-making
• Ability to build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders and client departments
• Experience supporting or mentoring junior colleagues
• Commitment to continuous professional development and service improvement
• A genuine passion for public service and improving outcomes for children and families

What You'll Get in Return

• Salary of £54,143 - £56,293 (bar at £55,224)
• Opportunity to join one of the UK's largest and most respected local authority legal teams
• Exposure to complex, high-profile and rewarding children and families work
• Excellent opportunities for professional development and career progression
• Supportive and collaborative team culture
• Flexible working arrangements
• The opportunity to make a meaningful difference to the lives of children and families across Manchester

About Manchester City Council Legal Services
Manchester City Council's Legal Services team is the largest shared legal service in the country and has held the Lexcel quality standard since 2007. The team supports a wide range of high-profile, complex and innovative projects across the city, delivering legal services that directly contribute to the Council's mission and the wellbeing of its communities.
If you're looking to build your career in children and families law within a supportive, forward-thinking and highly respected legal team, we'd love to hear from you.

To find out more about this opportunity, please contact Libby Smith at Hays Legal on or .

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