Assistant Lawyer (Childcare) ASSISTANT LAWYER (CHILDCARE LEGAL TEAM) Cheshire East Legal Services has an exciting opportunity for an Assistant Lawyer to join us within our Pre-proceedings team, working alongside Childcare legal colleagues, and conducting pre-proceedings work. Legal Services provides legal advice, support, guidance and representation to the Council colleagues, as well as elected members and stakeholders across the full range of services delivered by Cheshire East Council. Working alongside our Childcare Legal Team, you will support the service to deliver on a range of legal matters in order to protect and advance the interests of the Council and to meet the required standards and deadlines. Your role will include supporting Managers and Lawyers within the team to run an efficient and high-quality legal service focussing on pre-proceedings. Responsibilities will include supporting other legal staff by undertaking specific tasks, and assisting in the provision of effective administration support across legal services, as well as conducting your own pre-proceedings cases. We are a close-knit supportive team, working hard towards positive outcomes for our client departments. You will also be encouraged to build on your career goals, in a forward thinking, inclusive Authority. For more information, please view the ‘In This Job You Will’ section of the attached JDPS document. ABOUT US Cheshire East is an amazing place to live and work. As one of the largest employers in the borough, we can offer you a wide range of challenging and rewarding career opportunities. At Cheshire East Council we are working for a brighter future – together and our commitment to you is that our workplace culture will provide a shared purpose, a well-led organisation with valued people succeeding together as one team and one council to deliver the best service for our customers and communities. ABOUT YOU You will; Have a degree or related legal qualification or an appropriate level of technical expertise & experience within childcare law, in particular pre-proceedings. Provide timely, high quality, legal advice. Have good communication skills, be able to work under pressure and to prioritise your workload to meet tight deadlines. Have good oral and written communication skills as well as demonstrable skills in negotiation, drafting, and persuading. Be able to work confidently & effectively either alone or as part of a team. Support and assist the rest of the team as well as build & maintain excellent client relationships. Find out more about our essential criteria for the role please view the ‘In This Job You Will Need’ section within the attached JDPS document. WHAT WE GIVE IN RETURN •ENHANCED ANNUAL LEAVE - 34 days annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays) from day 1, increasing up to 39 days after only 5 years' service •ENHANCED PUBLIC PENSION - A career average pension (contributions built at a rate of 1/49th of your yearly pensionable pay •FLEXIBLE WORKING PATTERN - 37-hour standard full time working week and hybrid/remote working arrangements •PURCHASE OF ANNUAL LEAVE - The ability to purchase up to 10 days' extra annual leave each year in addition to your normal annual leave entitlements (this is pro-rata for part time staff) •CYCLE TO WORK SCHEME - Receive up Income Tax and National Insurance savings of up to 25-39% off the retail price of the bike and safety equipment package (savings dependent on the value of your chosen package and your tax status •EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME - A completely free to use and confidential assistance service for all employees to help staff manage, reduce and overcome the impact of life issues which they may experience from time to time, both within work and their personal life •PAID VOLUNTEER LEAVE – Up to two days paid leave per year to volunteer for local organisations in the borough of Cheshire East •VIRGIN MEDIA AND O2 DISCOUNTS - Exclusive discounts on Virgin Media Broadband and O2 pay monthly plans. •DISCOUNTED GYM MEMBERSHIPS - Access to corporate membership prices for Everybody Leisure which includes: Gym, Swim and Group Fitness at all 16 facilities Off-Peak Racket Sports Athletics Tracks Sauna/Steam/Spa To find out more about our rewards and benefits package, please click on the following link; Employee benefits (cheshireeast.gov.uk) HOW TO APPLY If you want to be part of Cheshire East Council and contribute to our ongoing success, have the flexibility and drive to enable us to innovate, are committed to working as part of a team and striving to deliver exceptional service wherever you can, we would especially like to hear from you. To apply for the role please click apply for this job at the bottom of the page. Please ensure you check the email account (including junk/spam boxes) from which you apply regularly as we will use this to contact you regarding your application. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date then it is likely that you have not been shortlisted on this occasion, however, please do not be discouraged from applying again. For any technical enquiries please email: sourcingteamecwip.co.uk. Please quote the job reference number in all correspondence.