Childcare Lawyer Solicitor

Salary: £37,035 - £49,764 per annum Grade: JK and M Contract Type: Permanent (Established Full-Time) Location: Flexible hybrid opportunities, working from home and our County Hall office, Northallerton/locality office if required

Join a Leading Legal Team in North Yorkshire!

An exciting opportunity has arisen to become a valued member of the Legal and Democratic Services team at North Yorkshire County Council. If you're a passionate and qualified Solicitor or Barrister with a background in children's law, we want to hear from you!

About Us

The Legal Service is part of Legal and Democratic Services (LDS) within the Chief Executive's Group. As part of our team, you will play a pivotal role in supporting the wide range of services provided to the County of North Yorkshire. Our mission is to deliver comprehensive, high-quality legal services to Directorates, the Council's Executive, full Council, Committees, Members, and external clients.

The Role

As a Childcare Lawyer/Solicitor, you'll provide essential legal advice and representation in cases involving Children and Young People Services. Your expertise will be needed in care proceedings, pre-proceedings matters, and responding to complex legal queries related to children's issues.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing expert advice and representation in care proceedings and family law matters
• Managing legal queries from the Children and Young People Services Directorate
• Conducting research to address more complex legal issues affecting operational matters
• Collaborating with the legal team to ensure compliance with Law Society Professional Standards and Lexcel accreditation
• Contributing to the overall success of First North Law, NYC's wholly owned company, in generating external income and delivering high-quality legal services

This role requires a practising certificate and a strong desire to contribute to the legal needs of vulnerable children and families.

What We're Looking For

• A practising certificate
• Experience in children's law, including care proceedings and family law matters
• Strong research and legal analysis skills
• The ability to provide clear legal advice on complex issues
• A collaborative mindset with the ability to work well in a team environment
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

What We Offer You

• A supportive, professional team environment where you'll grow your career.
• Flexibility: We offer hybrid working with the option to work from home and flexible hours, helping you achieve a healthy work-life balance.
• Training & Development: We're committed to your growth, offering continuous learning, career progression opportunities, and financial support for additional qualifications.
• Generous Leave Entitlement: We recognise the importance of family time and well-being, offering generous leave and additional benefits like paid volunteering leave.
• Comprehensive Pension Scheme: Enjoy the security of a robust pension plan designed for your future.
• Other Benefits: Take advantage of our employee benefits scheme which includes discounts on shopping, home tech, green car schemes, and more!

Contact & Apply

If you are passionate about working within the public sector and making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families in North Yorkshire, we would love to hear from you, please contact Claire Bryant, Senior Solicitor Lawyer Childcare on Claire.Bryant@northyorks.gov.uk or 07814754120.

To apply, click the 'Apply' button below.

Please include:

• Your full contact details (telephone, email, address)
• Full employment history (including employer names, job titles, dates, and salary)
• Full education history (qualifications, grades, dates, and institutions)
• Any gaps in employment
• Contact details for at least two referees, including your most recent employer and consent for us to contact them prior to interview.

Take the next step in your legal career with North Yorkshire County Council, where your expertise will make a real difference to the lives of children and families across the county.

Key Dates

Closing Date: 20^th April 2025

Interview Date: Week Commencing 28 April/5 May 2025

Key Documents:

Job Description.docx

Total Rewards

NYC are committed to directly recruiting staff and will not accept applications nor services from agency suppliers in respect of our vacancies. We are committed to meeting the needs of our diverse community and aim to have a workforce reflecting this diversity. We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. North Yorkshire Council (NYC) advertise vacancies on behalf of schools and external organisations (third parties) in North Yorkshire. NYC are not responsible for the recruitment/employment practices of third parties and accept no liability in relation to the vacancy and any subsequent recruitment/employment processes. Enquiries regarding the vacancy or practices should be made directly with the third party.

North Yorkshire Councils' purpose is to deliver services and facilities to the diverse residents and visitors of North Yorkshire. To ensure we deliver inclusive services we strive to have a diverse workforce where everybody can be themselves by respecting differences and embedding equality of opportunity. We celebrate diversity and recognise each other's contributions; we therefore welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds.

North Yorkshire Council are committed to the health and safety of our employees and of others including the general public. It has a responsibility to ensure employees who hold a position that is deemed to be safety critical as it requires the performance of duties which are directly related to the safe operation or security of a facility, piece of equipment or vehicle, handling of chemicals or work at height or in confined spaces and which, if not performed properly, could result in a serious safety risk or environmental hazard to employees, a facility or the general public , do not attend work whilst under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Individuals offered employment with North Yorkshire Council will be subject to the Workplace Substance Misuse policy. For safety critical roles as detailed above, random alcohol and drug testing may take place during the course of employment.