Location – Shefford (although travel to other offices may be required)
Contract Type – FTC to May 2026 – Full Time (37 hours)
MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES:
* To act as a legal advisor to the client organisations in relation to their Children’s social care functions and other corporate or constitutional and administrative matters to ensure compliance with statutory duties and obligations and to protect the best interests of the client organisations.
* Advise upon and conduct proceedings relating to the care and protection of children and young people to secure the proper course of action and balanced and favourable judgements.
* Advise upon other matters relating to children’s social care as required by the client organisation.
* To provide legal advice and support services to clients, to liaise with clients and other witnesses and to advise on the appropriate course of action in both civil and criminal proceedings.
* Act as a source of legal advice and support to any of the client Committees and Directorates as directed to cover the absence of colleagues.
* To attend courts and tribunals undertaking advocacy where required and to represent clients in negotiations and discussions with third parties in matters regarding the areas of legal practice relevant to the post.
* To support the Pathfinder Legal Services Ltd management team in building and maintaining effective working relationships with clients to ensure the delivery of a seamless and client focussed service.
* To promote Pathfinder Legal Services Ltd and to identify further areas of development to both existing and potential work streams.
* To support the Pathfinder Legal Services Ltd management team by complying with all of Pathfinder Legal Services’ practice management requirements including time recording and billing, Lexcel and other accreditation schemes.
* To support the Pathfinder Legal Services Ltd management team in developing and maintaining effective partnerships, networks and joint working arrangements to ensure the most effective provision of Legal Services to meet the needs and aspirations of clients.
* To contribute to the development, training or mentoring of colleagues where required.
* To supervise other members of the team in a line management capacity where required.
* To deputise for the Principal Lawyer or the Head of Children’s Social Care Law and safeguarding where required.
* Develop, provide legal input and deliver training courses to relevant persons to increase the clients’ awareness of relevant legal issues and to increase their self-sufficiency.
* To carry out such other legal work and other tasks as required by the Director of Pathfinder Legal Services, Heads of Service or Principal Lawyer from time to time including work within other unrelated legal fields.
* To act as an authorised signatory for an appropriate shareholder client.
* To buddy, train and support colleagues.
Benefits:
* Local Government Pensions Scheme – considered to be one of the best employer contribution rates.
* Flexible working arrangements – we offer flexible hours and hybrid working which allows for remote working but we also require regular office attendance with the aim to give everyone a balanced work/life ratio.
* Family Friendly policies including excellent Maternity, Paternity and Adoption entitlements.
* An exceptional Employee Assistance Program which helps supports employees with workplace changes as well as other work, family and personal issues.
* A generous minimum annual leave entitlement of 25 days, rising on 5 and 10 years service, plus public holidays. With the option to purchase more annual leave.
To apply for this position please send your CV and a covering letter explaining how you meet the Person Specification to recruitment@pathfinderlegal.co.uk. When applying, please quote reference ‘CHI-089’.
Closing date for applications: Monday 24th February 2025 @ midday
PLEASE NOTE: we will only accept applications where a supporting covering letter showing how you meet the person specification and a CV is submitted.
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