Lawyer LBS – 011 (Adult Social Care)

Job Description

Job Category : Legal
Location : 160 Tooley Street, Southwark Council
Hours Per Week : 36.00
Start Date : Immediate Start
Start Time : 09:00
End Time : 17:00
Salary: £47.18

Experience of providing advice in relation to vulnerable children and adults, including advising on:

Care Act duties;
Section 117 aftercare duties;
Ordinary residence disputes;
Litigation in the Court of Protection;
Proceedings in the Coroners Court;
Judicial review applications;
Age assessments;
Families with no recourse to public funds; &
Children leaving care duties.

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

1. Responsible for the delivery of highest quality outcomes and effective legal advice to clients – including the Cabinet, Committees, other Council bodies and elected Members.
2. To ensure the legal services provided are cost effective and meet the principles of good governance in decision making.
3. Support the development and delivery of relevant strategies, policies and departmental projects that secure the achievement of key council and service objectives

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

Responsibilities
4. To deliver a high quality, sustainable legal service that complies with the Council’s statutory and contractual obligations.
5. To manage own caseload of complex work under minimal supervision in accordance with professional standards, the Office Procedure Manual and other established processes. This includes drafting legal documents, responding to legal correspondence and advising at meetings.
6. To provide advice to Chief Officers.
7. To prepare reports and comments for reports to council, cabinet committees and sub-committees.
8. To assist in responding to legal questions from members of the council, members of Parliament, the ombudsman and external organisations within the specific area of activity and under the supervision of the Senior Lawyer.
9. To be responsible for the preparation of cases for Courts, Tribunals, Inquests etc including preparing pleadings.

Knowledge, including educational qualifications:
An admitted Solicitor of England and Wales, with a current practising certificate or eligible to apply for a practising certificate, with 3 years post admission experience or a Barrister called to the bar of England and Wales with 3 years post call experience or a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives with a current practising certificate or eligible to apply for a practising certificate or a qualified lawyer possessing an equivalent qualification gained in another jurisdiction, with 3 years’ post qualification experience.

Evidence of continuing professional development.

Knowledge of the law in relation to one or more of the following areas:
• The law in relation to vulnerable children and adults, including community care, mental health, Court of Protection, families with no recourse to public funds and children leaving care
• Education law and policy. In particular advising on school admissions and exclusions, primary school and nursery closures, budgets and finance, Governing Bodies and in relation to Judicial Review litigation.

Knowledge of the Data Protection and Freedom of Information as it applies to Local Government.

A thorough practical understanding of local government law and the impact of human rights and equalities legislation

Experience:

At least 3 years’ experience of working in the field of the law in relation to vulnerable children and adults, including community care, mental health, Court of Protection, families with no recourse to public funds and children leaving care.
Experience of managing own caseload to include undertaking advocacy in the courts and Tribunals, where required

Success in building and sustaining effective relationships with stakeholders and with clients.
Experience of working within a performance management framework and achieving agreed targets and outcomes.

Experience of case management systems.

Aptitudes, Skills & Competencies:

Ability to use a range of information and communication technology effectively.

Ability to use the initiative in meeting deadlines and managing conflicting priorities.

Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality and to use discretion in dealing with sensitive information.

Ability to analyse complex information and provide successful resolution.

Takes responsibility and delivers results
Adapts to changing demands to ensure that objectives are met, overcoming problems and making well considered decisions.

Team working
Acts as a role model to others in the team, sharing knowledge and experience when necessary, whilst respecting and valuing the contribution other team members’ experiences can bring.

Communication
Demonstrates well developed written and verbal communication skills and the confidence to present reports and verbal accounts credibly to a variety of different audiences.

Special Conditions of Recruitment:

Must be willing to work outside office hours during the week and at weekends, as dictated by the requirements of the service.

This post is politically restricted under the terms of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.
Comply with and promote the Council’s Equal opportunities policy.

As part of the selection process candidates will be required to undertake assessment tests designed to demonstrate their competencies in key areas detailed above.