Location
City of Westminster

Hours
Full Time

Salary
£50,175 - £57,495 per annum

About the Role
Step into a role where your expertise can help shape the provision of Adult Social Care services. Southwark Council’s Safeguarding and Community Services Legal Team is hiring an ambitious Adult Social Care Lawyer to help drive exceptional outcomes for our residents. You will be at the heart of legal decisions that protect the most vulnerable and be part of life-changing litigation, steering the direction of services that impact many adult lives every day.

Your legal expertise won’t just resolve cases; it will help drive change within a council committed to excellence, collaboration, and bold ambition for Adult Social Services.

Key responsibilities include:
- Delivering a high-quality, sustainable legal service in line with statutory and contractual obligations.
- Managing your own caseload of more complex adult social care matters under minimal supervision, including drafting documents, responding to correspondence, and advising at meetings.
- Researching legal questions and providing clear, practical briefings to clients, colleagues, and counsel.
- Preparing cases for courts, tribunals, and inquests.
- Presenting cases at court as required and dependent upon rights of audience.
- Preparing legal concurrents for Council reports.
- Assisting clients to respond to legal queries from Council members, MPs, the Ombudsman, and external partners.
- Advising clients on the impact of new legislation.
- Providing client training.
- Driving continuous improvement in your area of expertise to ensure the service remains responsive in a changing environment.

Southwark Council is the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes and serving a diverse, growing population. The council is committed to tackling inequalities and fostering a just and fair borough through initiatives such as Southwark Stands Together, which addresses racism, injustice, and inequality.

Experience
- Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or Fellow of CILEx with a current (or eligible) practising certificate.
- Extensive knowledge and proven experience of adult social care law, including community care, mental health, Court of Protection, NRPF, and care leavers.
- Experience managing a busy caseload of complex cases and providing solutions under pressure.
- Skilled in drafting pleadings and other legal documents, with advocacy experience if required.
- Understanding of good governance, local government, human rights, and equalities legislation.
- Experience working in a legal service or practice, confident with legal research tools and case management systems.

About you
- Proactive and able to build and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders and clients.
- Able to work well as part of a team.
- Clear commitment to continuing professional development and staying at the leading edge of your field.

Qualifications
- Current practising certificate as a Solicitor, Barrister, or Fellow of CILEx (or eligible to obtain one).