Lawyer/Solicitor x3
Job reference: 001522
Salary: £50,269 - £53,460 per annum (£40,215 - £42,768 per annum for 29.60 hour post)
Employment type: Permanent
Hours Per Week: 37
Location: St Helens Town Hall
St Helens Borough Council is inviting applications for the following positions:
1x full‑time, Children & Young People/Education Solicitor.
1x part‑time, Children & Young People/Education Solicitor – 4 days per week (29.60 hours).
1x full time, Adult Social Care & Education Solicitor.
We are a busy, friendly and well supported legal team situated in the Merseyside area with good transport links to surrounding areas. We have embraced new ways of working and the role will predominantly feature hybrid/agile working, offering a high level of flexibility, allowing staff to take control of their work/life balance.
Employees can regularly work away from Council workspaces (including home or other locations), alongside required office‑based working. The balance between remote and office‑based working is determined at service level based on operational need; however, there has been a minimum specification that staff will work at least 2 days from an office‑based location.
Children's roles
The children's role will cover a wide and varied caseload of children's safeguarding matters, including pre‑proceedings, care proceedings, discharge and revocation proceedings, DOLS and general advice.
You will be responsible for managing a caseload of childcare cases and advising on all aspects of law relevant to Child Protection and Safeguarding, including advocacy in the Family Court. Advocacy experience is therefore desirable.
You will work collaboratively with colleagues across Legal Services and with officers in Children's Services, Adult Social Care, Education and Health, providing proactive legal advice. We welcome applications from candidates wishing to develop their knowledge in all areas of social care.
Adults role
We are looking for candidates with experience of adult social care, which will be the main focus of the role. However, experience or a willingness to develop expertise in education law including SEN would be an advantage.
Your caseload will include a wide variety of matters in relation to vulnerable adults, including the associated advocacy, such as Court of Protection matters and advice relating to the Care Act 2014, the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Mental Health Act 1983.
We welcome applications from Solicitors, Barristers and Legal Executives (with Practice Rights). We are looking for candidates with relevant experience in local government. However, the roles will also be suitable for a newly qualified solicitor or barrister.
You will be joining an experienced team, supported by experienced Principal and Senior Solicitors as well as a high level of assistance from experienced support staff. This will enable you to focus on the key aspects of your role and allows both professional development and a positive work life balance.
Benefits
We offer a generous benefits package with a career‑average local government pension, at least 27 days holiday increasing to 31 after 5 years continuous service, with the option to purchase up to 10 additional days, a Health and Well‑being Employee Assistance programme, and a Car lease scheme.
For further information or an informal chat about these roles, please contact Sharon Hymes – Principal Solicitor on 07734 227372, or email sharonhymes@sthelens.gov.uk.
Closing date: 29 May 2026.
Interview date: w/c 15 June 2026.
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