Social Care Lawyer

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.

Principal Responsibilities:
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