Job Description

The Opportunity

Salary:

42,708 to 49,764 per annum

Working Pattern:

Full time, 37 hours per week

Location:

Based at County Hall, Chichester, hybrid working from home

Interview date:

w/c 28 July 2025



We're on the lookout for a skilled and dedicated Lawyer to join our friendly legal team within the People Services team. In this role, you will be providing insightful and balanced advice to the Learning Directorate in Children's Services and schools throughout beautiful West Sussex on a variety of education matters--independently, but with plenty of support whenever you need it.



You will have the opportunity to assess clients' needs and make decisions that can significantly impact their futures and the well-being of our community. Your caseload will be diverse, including Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunals, guidance for schools and academies, and advisory support across Children's Services on educational issues. You will also be involved in clerking school admission appeals and handling matters related to exclusions.



If you are passionate about making a difference in education law and want to be part of a supportive team, we would love to hear from you.

What are we looking for?

This role is within a career progression scheme which is aimed at lawyers from first qualification up to five years post-qualification. Solicitors will be expected to complete any formal post qualification training and examination required by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Progression through the grade will be achieved by successful performance of specific and general work areas.



In addition to having an interest in education law, you will:


Be able to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment. Have good IT skills and the ability to use the case management system and digital court processes. Be willing to travel independently to various offices and schools in the County and any relevant tribunals. Undertake research which requires developed interpretation and analysis skills as well as partnership working with both colleagues and clients in order to deliver a solution to a range of issues. Be engaged in interesting work within an experienced, supportive team which develops and values its staff. Be flexible and adaptable within the range of work for the team.

For more information on the Key Skills as well as the Qualifications and/or experience required, please refer to the attached.

Working for us

As well as adding real value to our service users and our communities, as an employer we recognise our employees are central in being able to achieve this. To recognise this we want to help support your development and provide a great place to work ensuring you can fulfil your full potential. You will also have access to a range of benefits including:


an excellent

local government pension scheme

generous holiday entitlement of

30

days (plus opportunity to buy additional leave) a range of flexible working options, depending on your job role maternity, paternity, dependency and adoption leave volunteering opportunities training and development opportunities, including coaching and mentoring a range of discounts giving our staff access to hundreds of offers; groceries, travel, cinema tickets, days out, leisure activities, high street retailers and the opportunity to save over 1,000 a year through our West Sussex Choices benefits platform health and wellbeing benefits including access to our Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and Voluntary Health Cash Plans

For a full list this can be found at our

Rewards and Benefits page.

Further information

The reference number for this role is

CRS00958

.



For an informal conversation or for further information regarding the role, please contact Fiona Gardiner (Principal Lawyer) at

Fiona.Gardiner@westsussex.gov.uk

. For issues or queries regarding your application please contact

hrrecruitment@westsussex.gov.uk

.

To apply, please follow the links below to upload your CV and Cover Letter. In your cover letter please outline your motivations for applying and explaining the skills and experience you can bring to the role (please refer to the key skills) ensuring that any gaps in employment are covered in your CV. Please ensure you have saved the job description attached to the main advert on our website as, once the job has closed, you may not have the opportunity to download again.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to 3 years referencing and a health check.

Equity, inclusion and accessibility is very important to West Sussex County Council. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, as this helps us build a diverse and talented workforce, that reflects the communities we serve. We ensure our approach to recruitment is flexible and supportive to enable all applicants to be at their best and to ensure they have the best possible chance of success.



We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that have a disability, are a veteran or are a care leaver. More information can be found on our

application help

page.





CC



Job Reference: CRS00958