Solicitor

Are you passionate about making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families? Halton Borough Council is seeking a Solicitor to join its newly formed Discharge from Care Team. 

Solicitor - £52,718 - £55,710  this in includes a £7k Market Supplement - Fixed term initially for 12 months

About the role

This critical role supports the council’s mission to enable more children to live safe, fulfilling lives at home without the stigma of being in care. 

Key Responsibilities

• Supporting Decision-Making: Collaborate with social work teams and other professionals to identify children who could safely transition out of care.
• Providing Expert Advice: Attend review meetings to assess whether a care order remains necessary or if alternative support would better meet a child’s needs.
• Legal Advocacy: Prepare and manage court applications related to the discharge of care orders and represent the council in court.
• Advocacy Expertise: Undertake your own advocacy work in care proceedings and discharge applications, bringing a proactive and solutions-focused approach to your practice.
• Collaborative Support: Assist the Group Solicitor with other legal tasks as required to support the council’s objectives.

About you

You will have proven experience in care proceedings, with a strong preference for candidates with hands-on advocacy experience in the discharge of care orders.  We are looking for someone with a thorough understanding of child protection and family law, particularly in care proceedings and statutory frameworks.  You will have excellent communication, organisational, and negotiation skills to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders. And have a  passion for improving outcomes for children and supporting families in achieving stability and independence.

 About us

Halton is a very unique and vibrant local authority with a rich history and heritage, with 2 iconic bridges serving 2 communities either side of the River Mersey . Based in Cheshire with excellent transport links between Liverpool and Manchester and excellent proximity to both Liverpool John Lennon and Manchester Airports

Halton has a very progressive community strategy which aims to bring about real improvements that will change lives for the better whilst focusing on the issues that will make the biggest difference in the long-term.It is an exciting time to join us to help shape our future as we develop new policies, creating a dynamic outcomes-based organisation and revolutionising the way people access services.

 The Benefits

• A generous leave package of 26 days annual leave + Bank Holidays (Increasing after 5 years’ service)
• Flexible working arrangements
• Membership to the Local Government Pension Scheme
• Investment in your personal development
• Free car parking at HBC sites
• Access to a range of discount schemes
• Access to a car leasing scheme

If you’re ready to make a real impact and contribute to the innovative work of Halton Borough Council, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today and be part of a team dedicated to creating brighter futures for children and families in Halton.

For an informal discussion about this post, please contact Jayne Doran , Group Solicitor - Social Care and Education on 0151 511 5189 | ext 165189

Interviews to be held end of January 2025

However, we are actively reviewing applications and keen to invite shortlisted candidates for interview prior to the advert closing. If a suitable candidate is appointed, the role may close early, therefore please do not hesitate to submit your application!

At Halton Borough Council we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce and a vital part of this is to encourage diversity in all respects. We are committed to making our recruitment practices barrier-free and tailored to best suit the needs and strength of the individual. This includes making adjustments for people with a disability, neurodiversity or with long-term health conditions. If you require accommodations, please reach out during the recruitment process so that we can make this the best possible experience for you – resourcing@halton.gov.uk