Lawyer Adults Services

Lawyer - Adults Services

Location: Widnes WA8 7QF

Salary: £45,718 - £48,710 (plus a market supplement of £7k until December 2027)

Halton is a vibrant local authority with a rich history and heritage, featuring two iconic bridges that connect communities across the River Mersey. Located in Cheshire, Halton boasts excellent transport links between Liverpool and Manchester, as well as close proximity to both Liverpool John Lennon and Manchester Airports.

Their progressive community strategy aims to bring about meaningful, long-term improvements that enhance lives. It’s an exciting time to join them as they develop new policies and transform the way people access services.

They are immensely proud that when asked what’s great about working for Halton, the most popular response from their workforce has been 'our colleagues’.

The Role

Do you have extensive experience of Adult social care and practice, including advocacy experience? If you have SEND experience too that would be of benefit.

Ideally you will have experience of working in local government or in private practice and will be a qualified lawyer. They are looking for a highly organised person that possess excellent IT and communication skills, with an ability to work flexibly as part of the team and also individually

You will have excellent communication, organisational, and negotiation skills and be able to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders. You should also demonstrate a genuine passion for improving outcomes for children and supporting families in achieving stability and independence.

Key Responsibilities

• Undertaking criminal and civil advocacy and litigation work, in order to protect and further the Council’s objectives in the Courts, Tribunals and at Statutory Appeals and Inquiries.
• Providing advice and guidance and other legal services as required to ensure that Directorates receive effective and high quality legal advice and services.
• Identifying, researching, and anticipating the effects on service provision of new developments in the law to ensure that clients are able to deliver timely and responsive services.
• Delivering training for Members, Officers and Legal Services staff and to participate in recognised national and regional group activities to improve understanding of legal and service issues and the quality of service provision.
• Providing legal and procedural advice to the Council’s Boards, Committees, Panels and Groups of Meetings to ensure that policy and operational decisions are taken in the most effective and beneficial way.
• Delivering legal advice to Officers and their staff to ensure that policy is formulated and operational decisions are taken on a sound legal basis.
• Collaborating constructively with partner organisations and other stakeholders including internal services and colleagues.
• Providing cover as and when necessary for all areas of legal work which are the responsibilities of Legal Services.
• Adhering to the prescribed Practice Standards within Legal Services.
• Complying with corporate/directorate HR practices.
• Undertaking any other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned from time to time which are commensurate with the grade of the job.

Skills and Qualifications

• A recognised legal qualification as a Solicitor, Barrister, or Chartered Legal Executive.
• Preferably experience acquired in local government or similar environment of advising Officers/Clients, Members, and Committees.
• Excellent oral and written communication and comprehension skills, including the capacity to negotiate, to draft complex legal documentation and advice often under time pressure while meeting deadlines, and to demonstrate an innovative, problem-solving approach to legal problems.
• Advocacy, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Experience of collaborative working with a range of stakeholders.
• A proactive and collaborative approach to problem-solving and working within a team.
• Experience of building strong working relationships with clients and internal teams.
• A commitment to developing expertise in new specialisms as well as maintaining and practising existing advocacy skills.
• Strong IT skills including Microsoft packages or equivalent (e.g. G Suite, Mosaic).

As this role involves regular travel across the borough and sometimes further afield, a driving licence and access to a vehicle are essential requirements. Where appropriate, reasonable adjustments will be made in accordance with the provisions of the Equality Act.

Benefits

• A generous annual holiday allowance starting at 34 days per year (including bank holidays), increasing with long service;
• Membership of their defined benefit, salary-linked Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with generous employer contributions;
• 3 x Salary Life Cover via Local Government Pension Scheme;
• Investment in your personal development;
• Free Car Parking at HBC sites;
• Flexible working arrangements;
• Extensive employee benefits platform including discounted shopping, car leasing, gym memberships, wellbeing hub and Employee Assistance Programme.

To Apply

If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for this reputable council, please click apply to be redirected to their website to complete your application.

The Council and its schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults and expect all staff, workers and volunteers to share its commitment.