Job title: Principal Legal Officer (Adult Social Care) (Grade PO4 / PO6 depending on experience)
Salary: PO4: £47,665 - £50,908 / PO6: £53,051 - £56,293
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Location: Hybrid / Civic Hall Leeds.
Leeds City Council is a progressive authority which works closely with local communities and businesses and partner agencies to create a vibrant and economically thriving city.
We are looking for a qualified lawyer with experience in and knowledge of Adult Social Care law.
Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.
About you
As a Principal Legal Officer you will:
Be a solicitor or barrister holding a practising certificate with knowledge of Adult Social Care Law;

Be values-driven, enthusiastic and outcome focussed;
Come with fresh thinking, energy and compassion for people;
Demonstrate a commitment to building relationships with Council services, the Courts and partner organisations.

About the role
We are recruiting to either a PO4 Principal Legal Officer (no experience of Adult Social Care Law required but an interest in the subject is essential, or to a PO6 Principal Legal Officer (with experience of working in Adult Social Care Law). Please specify on your application form which role you are applying for.

As a Principal Legal Officer you will undertake a substantial personal caseload of legal professional work in the area of Adult Social Care. You will be expected to deal with providing quality legal advice and representing the Council.
What we offer you
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply
Upload your CV and complete a personal statement of no more than 500 words.
Read our guidance for further advice on completing your application.
If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Amy Walker, Section Head by calling 0113 378 9153 or email amy.walker2@leeds.gov.uk
We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job purpose
To provide a high quality, value for money legal service, which actively supports the delivery of the Council’s strategic objectives as set out in the Best Council Plan.
To undertake a personal caseload of legal professional work in the area of Adult Social Care law.
The post holder would be expected to deal with advice and Court of Protection proceedings, alongside court hearings.
To contribute directly to the generation of external income and work flexibly across the Service as and when required.

Responsibilities

To undertake a substantial personal caseload of complex legal matters in one or more areas set out above in “Purpose of the job”.
To draft and issue court proceedings and other documentation as necessary.
To conduct investigatory and preparatory work as necessary to ensure effective presentation of cases to court/tribunals/inquiries/appeals.
To draft instructions to Counsel. To attend court/tribunals/inquiries/ appeals with Counsel as instructing representative if required.
To undertake advocacy and represent the Council and other clients in proceedings/tribunals/court, inquiries/appeals and (subject to rights of audience) Higher Courts, including in relation to complex contested proceedings.
To advise/update as to the progression of cases and the value of particular strategies.
To work flexibly as part of a team to cover court/tribunal/inquiry commitments and other work as required.
To advise clients both orally and in writing, including in relation to complex matters.
To provide legal advice and support to committees/board meetings, member briefings etc.
To maintain an awareness of all legislative and case law developments which might impact on the work of clients and advise them as appropriate.
To provide training for clients, colleagues and members with regard to law and practice.
To establish, develop and maintain effective relationships with a range of internal colleagues and external stakeholders and parties including members, directors and senior officers to improve and enhance service delivery.
To support other staff within the Section and Service as required including taking an active role in coaching and mentoring staff.
To contribute directly to the generation of external income.
To work flexibly across the Service as and when required.
To take personal responsibility under and abide by the Council’s Health and Safety Policy.
Willing to abide by the Council’s Equality and Diversity policy in the duties of the post, and as an employee of the Council.
To perform all functions and duties effectively and in accordance with the Council’s Policies.
To foster and deliver a “can do “attitude with regard to all aspects of the role, including advising and supporting colleagues, clients and members and contributing to change.
To meet all professional requirements, for example and if appropriate, the SRA competency framework in relation personal development.
To carry out such other duties within Legal Services and the Council, and for other clients as, from time to time, may be reasonably required, which are commensurate with the grade, experience, training and level of responsibility within the Council at your initial place of work or from any other of the Council's establishments or any other suitable place of work identified by the Council. You may be required to attend meetings, tribunals, inquiries/appeals and courts outside the boundaries of Leeds City Council.
To undertake work for other authorities under partnership and/or other arrangements.
The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Qualifications

Solicitor or Barrister entitled to hold a practising certificate.

Essential requirements Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the following essential requirements.

Skills Required

Knowledge of the law and practice relating to Adult Care law, or a newly qualified solicitor/barrister with a willingness and enthusiasm for a career in this area of law.
Able to plan and organise own workload, with minimum supervision, and to strict deadlines.
Able to act as an advocate on behalf of the Council including dealing with contested hearings as appropriate and relevant to the job role.
Able to draft and prepare clear and concise documents as relevant to the job role, including for example legal agreements, procedures, guidance notes, reports, statements, letters and memoranda.
Able to work and communicate effectively as member of a team.
Able to establish productive relationships with people and organisations at different levels inside and outside the Council.
Able to grasp and assimilate new information quickly.
Able to resolve a wide range of legal problems in a local government context.
Able to carry out effective legal research.
Able to contribute directly to generate external income.
Able to work flexibly across the Service as required.
Experience of managing and dealing with a personal legal caseload.
Experience of advocacy e.g. courts/tribunal/inquiries/appeals including experience in dealing with contested hearings as appropriate and relevant to the job role.
Experience of providing advice to clients.
Experience of drafting legal documents and or agreements as relevant to the job role.
Experience of assisting others in providing training, preferably legal.
Experience of Windows based IT systems.
Experience of working as an effective member of a team.

Knowledge / Qualifications required

Solicitor or Barrister entitled to hold a practising certificate.

Experience required

Experience of managing and dealing with a personal caseload.
Experience of advocacy e.g. courts/tribunal/inquiries/appeals including experience in dealing with contested hearings, as appropriate.
Experience of providing advice to clients.
Experience of assisting others in providing training, preferably legal.
Experience of Windows based IT systems.
Experience of working as an effective member of a team.

Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics

A commitment to provide and develop for clients high quality legal services.
A professional approach and presentation.
An awareness of the sensitive and confidential nature of the work.
A willingness to work flexibly beyond normal hours.
To take ownership of your personal development planning and be willing to actively participate in learning and development activities to ensure up to date knowledge and skills.
Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct
Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Council Plan
Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing
Willingness to actively participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up, to date knowledge and skills.
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity of Leeds City Council.
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Desirable requirements Candidates are not required to meet all the following desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.

Knowledge / Qualifications required

Knowledge of the law and practice relating to at least one other area of law covered by the section
Knowledge of law and practice relating to local government. (A basic knowledge of local authority functions relevant to the job role).

Experience required

Experience of providing legal training.
Experience of working to a quality system e.g. Lexcel, ISO or similar.