Website Leeds City Council
Job title:
Principal Legal Officer (PO6) (Social Care Legal)
Salary:
£51,356 – £54,495 pro rata
Hours:
3 days per week (Total: 22 hours and 12 Minutes)
Contract:
Permanent
Location:
Leeds City Centre
This is a rolling advert, however applications will be shortlisted at the end of each month.
Leeds City Council is a progressive authority which works closely with local communities and businesses to create a vibrant and economically thriving city.
We serve an outstanding Children & Families Department, and seek a permanent part time Principal Legal Officer (PO6) (for 3 days per week) to practise primarily in the area of Children Social Care Law.
Leeds City Council is
one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our
council values
and
ambitions
.
About you
As a Principal Legal officer (PO6), you will bring to the role:
• good interpersonal skills,
• ability to prioritise your own workload,
• manage a complex caseload,
• act as an advocate in contested hearings and work to tight court deadlines,
• be able to work as part of a team and be flexible, enthusiastic and committed.
About the role
You will undertake a substantial complex personal caseload of legal professional work in the area of Children Social Care.
As our next Principal Legal officer (PO6), you¼ actively support the delivery of the Council strategic objectives as set out in the Best City Ambition.
The role is integral to our Social Care Legal team. You will be supported by an experienced team of Legal Officers and Legal Assistants; with supervision and management by a Team Leader. The section comprises of a mix of PLO posts, with allocation of work accordingly.
What we offer you
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:
• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
• a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• a range of
staff benefits
to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
How to apply
Upload your CV and complete a personal statement of no more than 500 words.
Read our guidance
for further advice on completing your application.
If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role contact:
Rebecca Roberts (Section Head) on tel:0113 3789134 or Safeena Koshar (Team Leader) on 0113 3789101 or email at
rebecca.roberts@leeds.gov.uk
or
safeena.koshar@leeds.gov.uk
Closing date for applications:
30th
November 2025 at 11:30pm
Interviews shall take place periodically in the month following each round of shortlisting.
We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.
This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.
If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the
Skilled Worker visa
route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you’ll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.
Job Description
Job Purpose:
The section covers the following areas of work: Childrens Social Care Law. The postholder will provide a high quality, value for money legal service, which actively supports the delivery of the council strategic objectives as set out in the Best City Ambitions.
RESPONSIBILITIES
• Undertake a substantial personal caseload of complex legal professional work, primarily children social care legal work. The post holder will be expected to provide support in at least one other area of law covered by the section, and any other local government legal matters as required.
• Support the generation of external income in the section and across the service and take an active role in coaching and mentoring staff within the section and service.
• Undertake a substantial complex personal caseload of children social care legal work and other areas covered by the section as required.
• Represent council colleagues and other clients in proceedings in tribunals, the County Court and (subject to rights of audience) Higher courts, including in relation to contested proceedings.
• Conduct investigatory and preparatory work as necessary to ensure effective presentation of cases to Court and advise as to the progression of cases and the value of particular strategies.
• Draft and issue court proceedings and other documentation such as instructions to counsel as necessary.
• To draft legal documentation, agreements and advice.
• Foster and deliver a can do attitude with regard to all aspects of the role, including advising and supporting colleagues, clients and members; contributing to change; and increasing external income generation.
• Establish, develop and maintain effective relationships with a range of internal colleagues, external stakeholders and parties including Members, directors and senior officers to improve and enhance service delivery.
• Maintain an awareness of all legislative and case law developments which might impact on the work of colleagues and clients and advise them as appropriate
• Provide legal advice and support to committees and advice to clients both orally and in writing, in relation to complex matters.
• Work flexibly as part of a team to cover court and tribunal commitments and other work as required
• Meet all professional requirements, for example and as appropriate the SRA (Solicitors Regulation Authority) competency framework in relation to personal development and SRA Standards and Regulations
• Support other staff within the section and service as required including providing training to colleagues and clients
• Perform all functions and duties effectively and in accordance with the following:
• The council policies and codes of practice
• The council constitution
• Legal Servicesstandards, objectives, targets and timescales
• Legal ServicesLexcel procedures
• Attend meetings, tribunals, inquiries/appeals and courts outside the boundaries of Leeds City Council and outside your normal …
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