Principal Children & Families Lawyer - #2168270

Principal Lawyer Technical Specialist (Children & Families)
Manchester City Council

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Grade 11 | £57,786 - £61,686 (bar at £60,428)
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced children and families lawyer seeking a senior leadership position that combines complex casework, strategic influence, team leadership and specialist expertise. You'll play a key role in shaping legal services, supporting Children's Services and safeguarding vulnerable children whilst working on some of the most significant and politically sensitive matters facing local government.

About the Team
Manchester City Council's Legal Services team is recognised nationally for delivering innovative, high-quality public sector legal services. As the largest shared legal service in the country, the team provides legal support across Manchester City Council, Salford City Council, and a range of external public sector clients.
The Children & Families Legal Group provides legal advice and representation on all matters relating to the safeguarding and protection of children. The team combines its role advising on multi-agency safeguarding arrangements with strategic support to Children's Services, whilst also providing specialist advice on the disclosure of children's and adults' social care records and education records.
At the heart of everything the team does is:

• The safety and needs of children.
• The legal representation of Children's Services.

There is significant opportunity to contribute to the continued development of legal services supporting Children's and Education Services, helping to deliver key objectives around permanence for children and locality-based service delivery across Manchester.

Your New Role
As a Principal Lawyer Technical Specialist, you will act as the leading subject matter expert on public law children's matters within the service, providing specialist legal advice on complex, high-value and politically sensitive matters.
You will take responsibility for a significant personal caseload whilst also playing a key role within the wider management team, supporting service development, mentoring colleagues and helping to shape the strategic direction of the Children & Families Legal Group.
Key responsibilities will include:

• Managing a personal caseload of complex, high-value and politically sensitive public law children's matters
• Acting as a technical specialist and trusted advisor to senior officers, elected members and stakeholders
• Providing strategic legal advice to support decision-making across Manchester City Council, Salford City Council and partner organisations
• Leading on complex legal issues, policy development and service improvement initiatives
• Supporting and deputising for senior management within the Group where required
• Supervising, mentoring and developing legally qualified staff and supporting the professional growth of colleagues
• Allocating and overseeing complex legal work across the team
• Delivering training, legal updates and professional development activities
• Building and maintaining strong client relationships across multiple public sector organisations
• Representing the service on strategic boards, groups and partnership forums
• Undertaking advocacy where required

What You'll Need to Succeed

• Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, Chartered Lawyer or CILEX Fellow holding a current practising certificate
• Extensive experience advising on children and families law matters, particularly public law children work
• Strong expertise managing complex, high-value and sensitive legal cases
• Experience providing strategic legal advice to senior stakeholders
• Excellent advocacy, drafting and negotiation skills
• Strong understanding of local government practice and decision-making
• Experience supervising, mentoring or managing legal professionals
• Ability to influence, lead and build effective relationships across a wide range of stakeholders
• Commitment to continuous professional development, service improvement and innovation

What You'll Get in Return

• Salary of £54,143 - £61,686 (bar at £60,428)
• Opportunity to join one of the UK's largest and most respected local authority legal teams
• Exposure to complex, high-profile and rewarding children and families work
• Excellent opportunities for professional development and career progression
• Supportive and collaborative team culture
• Flexible working arrangements
• The opportunity to make a meaningful difference to the lives of children and families across Manchester

About Manchester City Council Legal Services
Manchester City Council's Legal Services team is the largest shared legal service in the country and has held the Lexcel quality standard since 2007. The team supports a wide range of high-profile, complex and innovative projects across the city, delivering legal services that directly contribute to the Council's mission and the wellbeing of its communities.
If you're looking to build your career in children and families law within a supportive, forward-thinking and highly respected legal team, we'd love to hear from you.

Tofind out more about this opportunity, please contact Libby Smith at Hays Legalon or 0161 228 7770.

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