Job Description

Principal Lawyer (Adults & Education)

We are looking for an experienced and committed Principal Lawyer to manage a legal team dealing with a range of matters including:


Care Act*
Mental Health Act, Community Care & Mental Capacity Act Education law including school appeals & SEND Tribunal work

This is a busy and supportive team, and the role is a challenging and dynamic one, looking forward to the future.

Organisation

Cheshire East Council

Location

Crewe, Macclesfield

Job Category

Legal and Governance

Grade

CEC NJC - Grade 12

Salary Min

54,994 per annum

Salary Max

62,777 per annum

Hours per week

37

Weeks per year

52.143

Employment Type

Permanent

Closing Date

30/09/2025

Ref No

E3280
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 YOU



As a Principal Lawyer (Adults & Education) you will sit within our People legal team, supporting the Legal Team Manager (People) in the management of the team and working collaboratively with Officers and elected Members.



We are looking for a qualified Solicitor or Barrister with extensive knowledge in Adult Social Care and/or Education work along with a demonstrable ability and willingness to transfer your legal skills to areas of the team's work that may not be currently within your expertise.



You will be able to research and anticipate the effects on service provision of new developments in the law for clients; provide legal and procedural advice and training to clients as required and supervise colleagues in the Legal Service as appropriate.



An example of the work you will be undertaking will include, managing a team undertaking public sector adult matters, such as mental health, Deprivation of liberty, community care, safeguarding, ordinary residence & Court of Protection.



You will advise on policy, strategy & procedure relating to both adult social care and education matters, and be involved in advising upon a committee reports and at committee meetings.



Candidates with experience from a Local Authority setting would be preferable as a sound understanding of local government and administrative law, and an appreciation of the challenges facing local authorities will be key to your role.



You will have good communication and presentation skills, good customer care skills and good analytical and problem-solving skills. The ability to work under pressure to deadlines, and well-developed leadership and staff supervision skills is essential. You will ideally have experience of attending committees and be able to attend occasional evening meetings.





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.