Deputy Principal Lawyer (Childrens Safeguarding)
London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
About this job
<p>The post holder will undertake complex legal work, delivering expert legal research, guidance, and policy advice to support decision-making and influence legal practice in line with the Council’s strategic priorities and objectives.</p> <p>They will provide comprehensive, high-quality, and proactive legal advice and representation to internal and external clients in relation to Children's Safeguarding matters.</p> <p>The role will also support the management and development of a team of lawyers and legal assistants, providing supervision, guidance, and technical expertise on complex and high-profile cases within the Children's Safeguarding specialism.</p>
Special requirements for this post
<p>Qualified Solicitor or barrister or equivalent e.g. FILEX or</p> <p>Other post Graduate qualification in any relevant legal area or discipline.</p>
About you
<ul> <li>Support the Principal Lawyer with operational management responsibilities, including performance monitoring, time-recording compliance, recruitment, and workforce planning.</li> <li>Assist in data breach reporting and risk management within the Children's Safeguarding service area.</li> <li>Represent the service externally, including deputising for the Principal Lawyer at East London Family Justice Board (ELFJB) meetings, workstreams, and meetings with the Designated Family Judge (DFJ).</li> <li>Provide leadership and management support in the absence of the Principal Lawyer, acting as a senior point of contact for legal, operational, and service issues.</li> <li>Undertake other delegated management and leadership responsibilities commensurate with the grade and needs of the service.</li> <li>Lead the Deprivation of Liberty (DoL) legal service, overseeing complex cases and supporting service delivery.</li> <li>Chair and manage weekly DoL Team Case and Performance Management (TCLPM) meetings, ensuring effective case progression and performance oversight.</li> <li>Deputise for the Principal Lawyer at TCLPM meetings and other management forums as required.</li> <li>Undertake advocacy in urgent and complex Deprivation of Liberty cases, including out-of-hours applications where necessary.</li> </ul>
About us
<p><strong>About us Barking & Dagenham is changing. It Starts Here.</strong></p> <p>Think you know Barking and Dagenham? Think again. While this small corner of east London might have a reputation for needing development, scratch beneath the surface and you’ll find active communities and a place that consistently punches above its weight. The borough is changing – and changing for the better. And It Starts Here.</p> <p>Yes, the borough has its challenges. But it’s on the cusp of something exciting. With one of the youngest populations in the country, ambitions are high and rightly so. 98% of our schools are rated Good or Outstanding and every year more of our talented teenagers get into Russell Group Universities and hotly sought after apprenticeship schemes.</p> <p>We have award winning parks, centuries old manor houses full of relics and artifacts you can go and see, and the ruins of one of Anglo-Saxon England's most powerful and wealthiest religious sites. We’re even bringing beavers and white storks to the borough to help rewild the local landscape and boost biodiversity.</p> <p>Over the past few years, we’ve been working hard to improve how we deliver services and support our community. From tackling inequality to making sure our services are the best they can be, we’re focused on what matters most to local people. </p> <p>We’re creating the conditions for people to thrive - so everyone can enjoy a good quality of life, feel proud to call this place home, and be part of something bigger. </p> <p>#ItStartsHere - with our streets, our schools, our neighbourhoods. And with your application to join our determined team who are passionate about doing what’s best for the future of Barking and Dagenham. </p> <p>As an Investors in People Gold Award employer, we’re serious about supporting our staff. From flexible working, professional training and career development to wellbeing initiatives, we want our people to feel valued and supported in everything they do.</p> <p>Our values, known as</p> <ul> <li>DRIVE, shape how we work: Deliver our best every day – and do what we promise</li> <li>Respond in a prompt, positive way to our community’s needs</li> <li>Inspire others with our attitudes and actions</li> <li>Value people for who they are and what they can do</li> </ul> <p>Engage with others to improve our resilience and flexibility We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences.</p> <p>We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences.</p>