Our benefits
You can also see our full list of employee benefits on our careers site here: Why you should work for us | West Northamptonshire Council.
About the role
Would you like to join a local authority where you can progress your legal career and be supported to excel professionally? If so, join the new Legal Team at West Northants Council, one of the newest and the fourth biggest Unitary Council in England.
We are continuing the growth of our new legal service with the addition of a Senior Lawyer in our Adult Social Care team.
For more information, please visit our designated legal recruitment pages at https://www.westnorthants.gov.uk/spotlight-our-key-services-careers-and-our-partners/our-legal-teams or contact Julia Rickards, Head of Legal (People), on 07585 405339 for a confidential discussion.
What will you be doing?
If you have experience in Adult Social Care, we want to hear from you.
Your work will include:
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Holding a full caseload and conducting litigation in relation to matters including Community DOLs, s.21A challenges, s.16 welfare proceedings and Judicial Reviews.
- Advising on Care Act, Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act matters, including ordinary residence, continuing health care and s.117 aftercare.
- Responding to issues relating to safeguarding, finances and information governance.
Assisting in the training and supervision of Senior Paralegals and Legal Assistants as may be required.
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About you
You will:
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Hold a valid practising certificate to practice in England as a Solicitor, Barrister or Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives.
- Be able to hold a full caseload of Adult Social Care cases.
- Be able to work as part of a team.
Be able to work to tight timelines and under pressure.
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Why join us?
West Northants is a great place to work. With a focus on career development, wellbeing, flexibility and support, this is an opportunity for you to take the next step on your career journey. We have mentoring, coaching, training and many other opportunities available to assist and develop you, to ensure your success in the role and your ongoing progression and success within the Council.
We are a dedicated, professional, ambitious and friendly team where you will be supported to achieve your potential.
We offer hybrid working, a flexi-time scheme and will also consider a variety of flexible working arrangements. Benefits include the Local Government Pension Scheme, 28 days of annual leave (increasing to 30 days after 2 years and to 33 days after 5 years) plus Bank Holidays and a lease car salary sacrifice scheme.
We work in modern office in the town centre, conveniently located within a short walk of the train station.
As local government experience is not essential, we encourage those looking to change sector or return to work after a career break to apply.
About us
At West Northants Council, it’s about our people. People who thrive with ambition, bubble with new ideas, demand better ways of working, caring about every detail, and who never shy away from a challenge. Our culture is a gateway for new experiences. A place to forge new opportunities. To empower you in your career and unite you with like-minded people.
Our vision is ‘to make West Northants a great place to live, work, visit and thrive’. We truly stand by this and work hard every day to make this a reality. Our corporate values, THRIVE, stand for: Trust, High Performance, Respect, Innovate and Empower, they underpin everything we do and how we deliver services.
We are committed to ensuring diversity, equality, equity, and inclusion is woven into the fabric of WNC and everything we do, to enable all colleagues to develop and maximize their full potential. We are a disability confident employer, a member of the Armed Forces Covenant, and a Care Leaver Covenant partner
The following film was created by us to communicate our intentions - watch WNC colleagues explain what DEI means to us.
If you need additional support or reasonable adjustments during the application process, including needing the job description in another format or language, please email [email protected] for support.
West Northants Council, where careers thrive.
