Legal Executive/Solicitor - Adult Social Care

at  Staffordshire County Council

Job Introduction
Are you passionate about making a difference in people’s lives through legal expertise? Join our local authority as an Adult Social Solicitor and play a crucial role in supporting vulnerable adults in our community. Due to unprecedented growth in our Adult Social Care workstream, we are offering the exciting opportunity to join our friendly, knowledgeable and committed team.
We are seeking a newly qualified Legal Executive/Solicitor with experience in Adult Social Care Law. Your knowledge will be instrumental in guiding local authorities through complex legal matters, safeguarding the interests of vulnerable individuals..
As an Adult Social Care Lawyer, you will manage a diverse caseload providing legal advice to our Adult Social Care service. Your responsibilities will include handling Court of Protection proceedings, ensuring the rights and wellbeing of adults in need of care and support
Main Responsibilities

Responsibilities will include:

• Managing a caseload of ASC files, providing legal advice to the local authority’s Adult Social Care service.
• Handling Court of Protection proceedings which involve safeguarding the rights and interests of vulnerable adults who lack mental capacity.
• Advising on the availability of services to meet the social care needs of adults under the Care Act 2014.
• Reviewing and potentially challenging local authority decisions to refuse care and support.
• Providing guidance on funding care and support for individuals who don’t meet the means test for local authority-funded care.
• Representing the client department at all case related meetings and conducting advocacy in court in appropriate matters.
• Adherence to the Legal Services Unit’s quality standards (Lexcel) including time-recording to maintain professional standards.
• Handling confidential data sensitively and securely in accordance with policy.

The Ideal Candidate

We are looking for a newly qualified Legal Executive / Solicitor whose skills combine legal expertise with the personal qualities necessary to excel in the sensitive and complex field of adult social care law:

• Strong legal knowledge in adult social care and mental health law and whilst no previous local government experience is necessary, a general understanding of the work done by this public sector service is required.
• An interest in public sector work and in supporting vulnerable members of the community.
• Excellent communication skills as the candidate will need to provide general legal advice and interact with various stakeholders.
• Meticulous attention to detail.
• Effective time management, prioritisation skills and an ability to work under the demands of competing pressures.

If you are unsure if your skills and experience are suitable for this role please contact Wendy Lofthouse, Deputy Legal Services Manager - wendy.lofthouse@staffordshire.gov.uk or Sam Gibson, Senior Solicitor - sam.gibson@staffordshire.gov.uk. We’re happy to talk flexible working.
Interview date: 25th September 2024
About Staffordshire County Council

• Managing a caseload of ASC files, providing legal advice to the local authority’s Adult Social Care service.
• Handling Court of Protection proceedings which involve safeguarding the rights and interests of vulnerable adults who lack mental capacity.
• Advising on the availability of services to meet the social care needs of adults under the Care Act 2014.
• Reviewing and potentially challenging local authority decisions to refuse care and support.
• Providing guidance on funding care and support for individuals who don’t meet the means test for local authority-funded care.
• Representing the client department at all case related meetings and conducting advocacy in court in appropriate matters.
• Adherence to the Legal Services Unit’s quality standards (Lexcel) including time-recording to maintain professional standards.
• Handling confidential data sensitively and securely in accordance with policy