Job Description

CHILDCARE LAWYERS

A number of rewarding and engaging opportunities have arisen within Cheshire East's Legal Services for Lawyers & Senior Lawyers within our Childcare legal team. This is the opportunity to grow and enhance your skills & experience, within a forward thinking, dynamic and supportive legal team, to really make a positive difference to the children of Cheshire East.



This is an exciting time to join us at Cheshire East. With a new senior leadership team and great working relationships, this is the time to bring your skills and experience to shape and develop the work the childcare legal team do and the services that they provide. Working together with our client department to continue to develop effective and positive ways of working, enhancing skills with training opportunities and support, as well as being part of an upwards moving improvement journey to meaningful, worthwhile and positive change.

Organisation

Cheshire East Council

Location

Crewe

Job Category

Legal and Governance

Grade

CEC NJC - Grade 11

Salary Min

48,072 per annum

Salary Max

54,994 per annum

Hours per week

37

Weeks per year

52.143

Employment Type

Permanent

Closing Date

07/10/2025

Ref No

E3236
Cheshire East is an amazing place to live and work. As one of the largest employers in the borough, we are able to 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.



If you want to be part of our award-winning 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.



As an equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and want our workforce to reflect the diversity of our local communities so that we can all work for a brighter future - together.



Brighter Future



www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers/employee-benefits.aspx





ABOUT THE ROLE



Legal Services provide legal and procedural advice and support to our client department, in the most effective and efficient way to meet the requirements of the Council has a whole and specific Services and Departments.



These roles provide support to the Principal Lawyers, including but not limited to, conducting Childcare proceedings, pre-proceedings, Deprivation of Liberty matters, Judicial Review, UASC and some school/education appeals on behalf of the Council. You will provide advice and support to our client departments, and conduct advocacy before the Family Courts.



We are a close-knit supportive team, working hard towards positive outcomes for our client departments and the people of Cheshire East. Caseloads are monitored & supported, and there is a varied range & nature of work available. You will also be encouraged to build on your career goals, in a forward thinking, inclusive Authority.



ABOUT YOU



You will;


Be an admitted Solicitor, Barrister or Legal Executive with a current practising certificate or equivalent. Have a wide range of post qualification experience in Childcare law. Provide timely, high quality, legal, tactical & strategic advice. Have excellent communication skills, be able to work under pressure and to prioritise your workload to meet tight deadlines. Be able to represent the Council, including a willingness to undertake advocacy. Have excellent 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. Be required to provide training to clients and stakeholders as required.

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 Apply for this job at the bottom of the page, or, for or an informal chat about the role please contact: Jennie Summers - Acting Head of Legal Services via email jennie.summers@cheshireeast.gov.uk



CV's or applications sent by email will not be accepted.



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 sourcingteam@ecwip.co.uk



Please quote job reference number in all correspondence.