Overview
Join to apply for the Principal Legal Officer role at Leeds City Council
Job title: Principal Legal Officer - PO6 (Social Care Legal)
Salary: £51,356 - £54,495
Hours: 37
Contract: Permanent
Location: Leeds City Centre
This is a rolling advert. 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’s & Families Department, and seek a full-time Principal Legal Officer (PO6) to practise primarily in the area of Children’s Social Care Law. Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We 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’s Social Care.
As our next Principal Legal Officer (PO6), you’ll actively support the delivery of the Council’s 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 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 378 9134 or Safeena Koshar (Team Leader) on 0113 378 9101 or email rebecca.roberts@leeds.gov.uk or safeena.koshar@leeds.gov.uk
Closing date
Closing date for applications: Monday 3 November 2025
Interviews
Interviews shall take place periodically in the month following each round of shortlisting.
Equality, Diversity & Right to Work
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. Ensure you are eligible before applying.
Job Description
Job Purpose: The section covers Childrens Social Care Law. The postholder will provide a high quality, value for money legal service, which actively supports the delivery of the council’s strategic objectives as set out in the Best City Ambitions.
Responsibilities
* Undertake a substantial personal caseload of complex legal professional work, primarily children’s 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.
* 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.
* Draft and issue court proceedings and other documentation such as instructions to counsel as necessary.
* Provide legal advice and support to committees and 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 professional requirements (e.g., SRA competency framework) in relation to personal development and standards.
* Support other staff within the section and service as required including providing training to colleagues and clients.
Additional Information
The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within Legal Services and the Council, as required. The Council’s policies and codes of practice, constitution, Legal Services’ standards, Lexcel procedures, and related guidelines apply. The role may require attending meetings, tribunals, inquiries/appeals and courts outside Leeds and outside normal working hours, and other duties commensurate with the grade.
Qualifications
Solicitor or Barrister entitled to hold a practising certificate or FCILEX [and Legal Executive Advocate Certificate (Family)].
Personal Specification
Essential Requirements: Demonstrate the criteria for the post as described in the application. Assessment through application form, test, interview, and certificate.
Skills
* Able to work flexibly across different work locations and areas as appropriate.
* Able to plan and organise own workload with minimum supervision, to strict deadlines
* Able to act as an advocate on behalf of the council including dealing with complex contested hearings
* Able to communicate effectively and establish productive relationships
* Able to develop external legal work for the service and assimilate new information quickly
* Able to resolve complex legal problems in a local government context
* Able to draft and prepare clear documents and guidance notes
* Able to anticipate changes needed to meet organisational objectives
* Able to carry out effective legal research
Knowledge
* Law and practice relating to children’s social care
* Law and practice relating to local government
* Awareness of sensitive and confidential nature of the work
Experience
* Managing and dealing with a substantial complex personal caseload
* Advocacy experience in complex cases
* Providing advice to clients on complex matters
* Working as an effective team member
Behavioural & Other Characteristics
* Commitment to Leeds City Council values and behaviours
* Continuous improvement aligned with the Best City Ambition
* Equality and diversity policy compliance
* Health and safety awareness and reporting
* Participation in training and development
* Flexibility to adapt to change and support other services
* Anti-discriminatory approach to equality and diversity
* Respect for reporting racism, bullying, harassment or victimisation
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol; the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
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