Senior Lawyer (Children and Families)
Hours: 37 hours
Grade HC11 £49,422 - £55,016 per Annum
Closing date: 1st November

It is an exciting time to join Herefordshire Council. We have embarked on an ambitious improvement programme with our new Chief Executive setting a new vision for the future.

We have ambitions for Herefordshire to be an exemplar of 21st century rural living where market towns and rural communities are properly valued and recognised for the contributions they make to the success of the county. We’re striving to create a thriving local economy which is sustainable, well connected and offers wellbeing across the whole of the county.

We’re looking for fresh thinking and enthusiastic staff who will support our ambition and passion for Herefordshire, its citizens and communities. We are proud of our stunning county and our exceptional staff and this is a fantastic opportunity to make your mark and help us take Herefordshire to the next level.

Our Legal Services team has had new investment to develop and grow our Lawyers and Legal Officers. You will be ambitious, energetic and share our vision to provide high quality services and achieve the LExcel Accreditation. In return we offer a comprehensive training and development programme including in management and leadership skills. We welcome applications from individuals nationwide, as the Council is adopting permanent arrangements to allow a flexible approach to working.

However for those looking to move to Herefordshire we are proud of our county and we want to share it. We live and work in a beautiful county. Foodies enthuse about the quality of our produce. Adrenalin seekers rave about our rock faces and River Wye rapids. Walkers call our Herefordshire countryside breath-taking. We have festivals, celebrations and events to excite every passion and awaken every sense.
Then there's the culturally captivated, who take time to live, breathe and absorb our art, history, poetry and literature.

Now more than ever, our colleagues and residents appreciate the open space and easy access to beautiful countryside that Herefordshire has to offer. With affordable housing costs and every choice of countryside, village, market town or city living, Herefordshire is a great place to live and work - you're never far from green space and clean air!

We also offer a generous relocation package of up to £5000 if you decide to relocate to Herefordshire.

As a lawyer in our childcare team, you can take on career-defining work and effect widespread change for the children of Herefordshire. Currently we have a non-statutory improvement notice in our Children’s Services and this post will play a significant role in the improvement work that is required across the service and within the legal team.

This is an exciting and unique opportunity to develop strategic thinking and help shape a better way of working whilst gaining greater understanding of wider corporate goals which ultimately support the residents of Herefordshire.

You’ll be a qualified barrister, solicitor or legal executive with an impressive knowledge of childcare law and other relevant areas of the law. You’ll have excellent communication skills, refined analytical skills and the ability to deputise for more senior team members.

This role would suit someone who is experienced in children’s law within local government and is adept at conducting their own advocacy. The role would also require someone experienced in managing people as the individual would support the Head of Law (Children and Families) in managing the team. You’ll also mentor junior staff members and be expected to undertake complex legal work.

Whilst we invite applications nationally and we have a flexible approach to working, you will need to travel to Herefordshire on occasion, for example, to undertake advocacy and some client/office meetings.

The candidate must have a minimum of 3 years PQE and 3 years local authority experience.

For a confidential and informal discussion on the role please contact Ruth Whittingham, Head of Law on 01432 383670 or email Ruth.Whittingham@herefordshire.gov.uk


We welcome applicants whatever their personal characteristics or social identity. All requests for flexible working arrangements and reasonable adjustments will be considered.

The following candidates will be interviewed if they meet the essential criteria for the post they are applying for:
• Those who indicate that they have a disability. This is part of our commitment to the “Disability Confident” scheme;
• Those who indicate in their supporting statement that they are an Armed Forces Veteran or Reservist. This is part of our pledge to support the Armed Forces Covenant; and
• Those who indicate in their supporting statement that they are a Herefordshire care leaver. This is part of our commitment to supporting young people leaving our care.

Benefits with Herefordshire Council
• Holidays: 25 days per year plus 2 days unpaid at Christmas (pro rata for part time)
• Pension: LGS pension scheme
• Pick your perks – our benefits include access to a range of retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits. This includes savings, cash back and discounts.
• We also offer an employee assistance programme that means you will have access to confidential support and advice if you ever need it.

Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification for more details of this role.

To apply, please submit your CV along with a supporting statement, referring to the job description and person specification, detailing how you meet the specific requirements of the role.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you would like to obtain details regarding feedback on your application please contact Hoople Resourcing at: enquiries@hoopleresourcing.co.uk