As an In-House Advocate, you will participate in representing the council at Court and you will also play a key role in supporting children and young people social care colleagues. You will also have the opportunity to provide significant input to the development and implementation of our legal compliance policies and procedures. You will work closely with the Head of Social Care Legal Team to ensure excellent practice. 

We are advocates of developing our team, especially in terms of apprenticeships across both legal and managerial fields. We are an organisation that looks to promote collaborative working styles. 

• Provide comprehensive, proactive and high-quality legal advice and representation in complex, high value and sensitive legal matters which require special technical and legislative expertise 

• Provide representation within a variety of proceedings and venues, including lengthy contested hearings to achieve the best outcome for the client in a timely and flexible manner 

• Lead on negotiations to resolve areas of conflict, whether orally or in writing whilst having the best interests of the clients at the forefront of their mind, to ensure quality service is delivered to the client 

• Contribute to the delivery of the business plan, and support managers in leading the development of excellent practices and procedure 

• Research law and procedure to a high professional standard to provide accurate, focussed, and relevant legal and practical advice to clients, elected members and officers 

• To be a good communicator and to conduct effective communications with clients, professionals, and the judiciary as an effective representative of the Council and its clients and partners.  

• To effectively influence a range of professionals, the judiciary and stakeholders. 

• Supports senior managers to achieve delivery of Council objectives. 

• Advise on changes in legislation, Government guidelines and significant case law decisions which may affect procedures, policies, service provision, individual cases and statutory duties. 

To be successful in securing this position you will: 

• Be a qualified solicitor, barrister, or legal executive with up-to-date practising certificate  and advocacy rights

• Possess demonstrable experience of working within and providing advice on Childcare law 

• Be an exceptional communicator in both written and verbal formats

• Have the ability to formulate and maintain strong working relationships across other departments 

Post grade: 17

Location: Town Hall, Knowsley Street, Bury, BL9 0SW

Post hours: 37 per week, Monday to Friday 

Special Conditions: Attend meetings as required, including occasional evening meetings.

Responsible to: Ceri Kay - Head of Social Care Legal Team

Responsible for: Provision of legal advice and advocacy services to the Client Department.

Internal Relationships: Elected Members, Chief Officers/Senior Management, Officers within all Departments of the Council and other related Council service providers e.g. ALMO’s, LATCO’s, schools, etc

External Relationships: Solicitors in private practice, Counsel, Government Departments, Other Local Authorities, Court Officials, Members of Parliament, Members of the public and Outside Agencies and Professional Bodies, Medical and other expert witnesses; other professional persons. 

• Please submit your CV via email to tripley@venngroup.com along with a brief supporting statement

• Please detail any employment or education gaps.

• Be prepared to provide the names, positions and contact details for two referees; one should be your current or most recent employer. We will always gain your permission before we contact referees.