Legal Safeguarding Lawyer

1. We are currently looking for a legal safeguarding lawyer to join our team.
2. The postholder will undertake and have sole conduct of a mixed caseload relating primarily to child and vulnerable adult protection work in any Court, Tribunal, Inquiry or Appeal.
3. You will contribute to the development of new systems and operational changes to improve the provision of Legal Services.

Job Reference: REQ03389

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: Full Time 37 hours per week

Location: Port Talbot Civic Centre / Fixed Working Style

Is this post a secondment? NO

We are currently looking for a legal safeguarding lawyer to join our team.

The successful candidate will be responsible for – To provide legal advice and  support in respect of the protection of children and vulnerable adults, and upon Care and Support to persons in need, at all stages of the Council’s involvement, to undertake advocacy primarily within the Family Court (at all its levels)  and Court of Protection,  and to support the Safeguarding Legal Services Manager in the provision of legal services to Members and Officers of the Council

The Main Duties Of The Post:

General Duties:

• To undertake and have sole conduct of a mixed caseload relating primarily to child and vulnerable adult protection work in any Court, Tribunal, Inquiry or Appeal;
• To undertake hearings, including contested matters with witness evidence in the Family Court, up to the level of Circuit Judge
• To undertake a caseload of matters including but not exclusively limited to the following functions of the Council – Public Law Child Protection, Adoption, Fostering, Looked After Children, Protection of Vulnerable Adults, Mental Capacity, Mental Health, Care and Support of persons in need
• To prepare complex legal documentation including applications, Thresholds, skeleton arguments and written submissions including the preparation and drafting of all other legal documentation required in the preparation of court and tribunal proceedings;
• To attend legal planning and any other meetings as required to ensure the provision of effective and efficient legal advice;
• To advise upon and where appropriate to provide risk assessment advice in respect of proposed or contemplated child and vulnerable adult protection proceedings
• To represent the Authority in legal proceedings and related court proceedings, alternative dispute resolution processes and the steps necessary to avoid potential disputes;
• To prepare reports for and attend Council and its Committees and Panels as appropriate and to undertake such other reasonable duties and responsibilities including special projects as may be required by the Head of Legal Services including giving cover as necessary across the range of divisional activities;
• To identify new statutes, case law and procedural developments relevant to the post and advising client departments accordingly;
• To assist in the general functions of the Safeguarding Section of Legal Services
• To assist when required with the mainstream functions of the Legal Services Section;
• To contribute to the development of new systems and operational changes to improve the provision of Legal Services.
• Inevitably there needs to be an element of flexibility in allocating areas of responsibility between post holders within the Unit/and the Division from time to time, to enable the particular skills and expertise of individual post holders to be maximised to the mutual benefit of all concerned.

You will Have Experience In/Of:

• Experience of working in a legal office
• Experience of working unsupervised and to strict deadlines
• Understanding and knowledge of Local Government
• Experience in multi-agency working
• Experience in all aspects of legal working
• Experience of working in a team
• Experience in undertaking contested advocacy in the Family Court, ideally up to Circuit judge level and advocacy in the Court of Protection.
• Experience in drafting legal documents, including Threshold, Submissions and Skeleton arguments
• Experience in research, analysis and problem solving and drafting advices accurately and concisely based upon that research and analysis
• Can demonstrate the following,
• Ability to adapt to a busy work environment where priorities change quickly
• The ability to work as part of a team
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Ability to solve problems in a practical and effective way
• Interpersonal skills, requiring sensitivity, diplomacy and the ability to deal with difficult/hostile persons in a responsive but assertive manner
• Ability to prioritise tasks and provide timely and accurate work in accordance with deadlines
• Proven negotiation skills

Ideally You Will Have:

• Qualification and enrolment as a Solicitor and full member of the Law Society with current Practising Certificate or Qualification as  Barrister (Registered at Bar)
• Be able to demonstrate a knowledge of the relevant legislation particularly the Children Act 1989, Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014, Mental Health Act 1983, Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the associated regulations practice and procedure.
• If you think that you have the necessary experience and qualifications for this role, we would love to hear from you.