Job profile

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: Full Time 37 hours per week

Location of post: Port Talbot Civic Centre

Is this post a secondment? NO

We are currently looking for an assistant safeguarding lawyer predominantly undertaking work on behalf of the children and Young Person Service to join our team.

The successful candidate will be responsible for – To provide legal advice and  support in respect of the protection of children and vulnerable adults, and upon Care and Support to persons in need, at all stages of the Council’s involvement, to undertake advocacy primarily within the Family Court (at all its levels)  and Court of Protection,  and to support the Safeguarding Legal Services Manager in the provision of legal services to Members and Officers of the Council

The main duties of the post;

General Duties

• To undertake and have sole conduct of a mixed caseload relating primarily to child and vulnerable adult protection work in any Court, Tribunal, Inquiry or Appeal;
• To undertake hearings, including contested matters with witness evidence in the Family Court, up to the level of Circuit Judge
• To undertake a caseload of matters including but not exclusively limited to the following functions of the Council – Public Law Child Protection, Adoption, Fostering, Looked After Children, Protection of Vulnerable Adults, Mental Capacity, Mental Health, Care and Support of persons in need
• To prepare complex legal documentation including applications, Thresholds, skeleton arguments and written submissions including the preparation and drafting of all other legal documentation required in the preparation of court and tribunal proceedings;
• To attend legal planning and any other meetings as required to ensure the provision of effective and efficient legal advice;
• To advise upon and where appropriate to provide risk assessment advice in respect of proposed or contemplated child and vulnerable adult protection proceedings
• To represent the Authority in legal proceedings and related court proceedings, alternative dispute resolution processes and the steps necessary to avoid potential disputes;
• To prepare reports for and attend Council and its Committees and Panels as appropriate and to undertake such other reasonable duties and responsibilities including special projects as may be required by the Head of Legal Services including giving cover as necessary across the range of divisional activities;
• To identify new statutes, case law and procedural developments relevant to the post and advising client departments accordingly;
• To assist in the general functions of the Safeguarding Section of Legal Services
• To assist when required with the mainstream functions of the Legal Services Section;
• To contribute to the development of new systems and operational changes to improve the provision of Legal Services.

• Inevitably there needs to be an element of flexibility in allocating areas of responsibility between post holders within the Unit/and the Division from time to time, to enable the particular skills and expertise of individual post holders to be maximised to the mutual benefit of all concerned.

You will have experience in/of;

Experience of working in a legal office

Experience of working unsupervised and to strict deadlines

Understanding and knowledge of Local Government

Experience in multi-agency working

Experience in all aspects of legal working

Experience of working in a team

Experience in undertaking contested advocacy in the Family Court, ideally up to Circuit judge level and advocacy in the Court of Protection.

Experience in drafting legal documents, including Threshold, Submissions and Skeleton arguments

Experience in research, analysis and problem solving and drafting advices accurately and concisely based upon that research and analysis

Can demonstrate the following,

Ability to adapt to a busy work environment where priorities change quickly

The ability to work as part of a team

Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing

Ability to solve problems in a practical and effective way

Interpersonal skills, requiring sensitivity, diplomacy and the ability to deal with difficult/hostile persons in a responsive but assertive manner

Ability to prioritise tasks and provide timely and accurate work in accordance with deadlines

Proven negotiation skills

Ideally you will have;

Qualification and enrolment as a Solicitor and full member of the Law Society with current Practising Certificate or Qualification as  Barrister (Registered at Bar)

Be able to demonstrate a knowledge of the relevant legislation particularly the Children Act 1989, Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014, Mental Health Act 1983, Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the associated regulations practice and procedure.

If you think that you have the necessary experience and qualifications for this role, we would love to hear from you.

For an informal discussion, please contact Stacey Coe or Rebecca Jones on Email:   s.coe@npt.gov.uk 

DBS requirements:

• This post is not subject to a DBS check

Neath Port Talbot Council is totally committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.  Our schools/employees are equally committed to ensuring the safety and protection of all children and young people/vulnerable adults and will take action to safeguard their wellbeing.

The recruitment process for this post will be underpinned by rigorous safer recruitment assessment to ensure that children and young people are protected.

Welsh Language Requirements:

Welsh Language skills are not required  

Additional Information:

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, applications submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates who have a disability and armed forces veterans.

In support of employees of Tata Steel who are at risk of redundancy, or have been made redundant in 2024, Neath Port Talbot Council is offering a guaranteed interview for jobs across the Council.  Applicants must meet the essential criteria for the post to qualify for this.  If you are or going to be affected by the job losses at Tata Steel then we would welcome an application from you.  Just make it known on your application form that you are currently at risk of redundancy or you have been made redundant.

At Team NPT, we all work together to serve the people, communities and businesses of Neath Port Talbot.

We are committed to providing training opportunities and the professional development of all our employees.

We look forward to welcoming you to Team NPT.