Job Title: Children’s Safeguarding Lawyer
Grade: Grade 9.
JE Reference: A9604
Location of Work 1st Floor, 1 Time Square
Directly Responsible To: Legal Services Manager (Safeguarding)
Directly Responsible For: N/A
Hours of Duty : 37

Primary Purpose and Scope of the Job:
Children’s Services and Social Care Lawyer based within the Legal Department’s
Safeguarding Team required to provide legal advice and services to the client departments
and the Council itself.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:
Within the Council as a whole through Client Departments and the Legal Services Team
with Officers, colleagues, Members, Courts, Tribunals, Children’s Guardians and from time
to time members of the public and other related Agencies

KEY TASKS AND ACCOUNTABILITIES:
1. The postholder must carry out the duties with full regard to the Council’s Corporate
Plan, the Corporate Equality and Diversity Policy and Health and Safety Policy.
2. To undertake the provision of legal advice, guidance and support on behalf of
Warrington Borough Council in relation to Children’s Services matters (including
Child Care Applications and questions relating to Education Law).
3. To conduct advocacy at all levels with respect to the above matters before the
Family Court and any other appropriate tribunal.
4. To proactively advise and respond to all requests for legal advice. Advising on the
proposed impact of any legislation as and when appropriate to the Client
Departments.
5. To undertake all preparations in relation to Child Care Advocacy including
preparation of bundles, skeleton arguments, care plans, and statements, ensuring
full compliance with the Public Law Outline, attendance at advocates meetings and
to liaise with Counsel as and when required.
6. To attend relevant meetings including Child Protection Case Conferences and
where applicable Safeguarding Partnership meetings, Joint Partnership Groups, and
Legal Gateway meetings.
7. The postholder must carry out the duties with full regard to the Council's Community
Plan, Community Safety Strategy, Corporate Equality Plan, Health and Safety Policy
and Social Inclusion Strategy.
8. Any other duties as directed by the Legal Services Manager and ultimately the
Director of Law and Governance.
9. To carry out all duties with due regard to confidentiality and data protection
regulations.
10. The postholder is responsible for contributing to and compliance with strategies and
policies relating to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and/or
vulnerable adults.
11 To provide occasional supervision to Senior Legal Assistants, Legal Assistants,
Trainee Solicitors, Legal Apprentices and other junior members of staff as and when
required.
12. To deputise regularly for the Senior Solicitor (Children’s Safeguarding) and
occasionally for the Legal Services Manager (Safeguarding) as and when required.
13. To assist occasionally any team in Legal and Democratic Services. This can
include working outside of normal office hours and working off site.
14. To undertake such additional duties as are reasonably commensurate with the level
of this post.

REVIEW ARRANGEMENTS:
The details contained in this Job Description reflect the content of the job at the date it was
prepared. However, it is inevitable that over time, the nature of the jobs may change.
Existing duties may no longer be required and other duties may be gained without changing
the general nature of the post or the level of responsibility entailed. Consequently, the
Council will expect to revise this Job Description from time to time and will consult with the
postholder at the appropriate time.

Job Title: Children’s Safeguarding Lawyer
Grade: Grade 10.
JE Reference: A9601
Location of Work 1st Floor, 1 Time Square
Directly Responsible To: Legal Services Manager (Safeguarding)
Directly Responsible For: N/A
Hours of Duty : 37
Primary Purpose and Scope of the Job:
Children’s Services and Social Care Lawyer based within the Legal Safeguarding Team
required to provide legal advice and services to the client departments and the Council
itself.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:
Within the Council as a whole through Client Departments and the Legal Services Team
with Officers, colleagues, Members, Courts, Tribunals, Children’s Guardians and from time
to time members of the public and other related Agencies

KEY TASKS AND ACCOUNTABILITIES:
1. The postholder must carry out the duties with full regard to the Council’s Corporate
Plan, the Corporate Equality and Diversity Policy and Health and Safety Policy.
2. To undertake the provision of legal advice, guidance and support on behalf of
Warrington Borough Council in relation to Children’s Services matters (including
Child Care Applications and questions relating to Education Law) some of which
may be complex.
3. To conduct advocacy at all levels with respect to the above matters before the
Family Court and any other appropriate tribunal

4. To proactively advise and respond to all requests for legal advice. Advising on the
proposed impact of any legislation as and when appropriate to the Client
Departments taking into account novel applications of known techniques.
5. To undertake all preparations in relation to Child Care Advocacy including
preparation of bundles, skeleton arguments, care plans, and statements, ensuring
full compliance with the Public Law Outline, attendance at advocates meetings and
to liaise with Counsel as and when required.
6. To attend relevant meetings including Child Protection Case Conferences and
where applicable Safeguarding Partnership meetings, Joint Partnership Groups, and
Legal Gateway meetings.
7. The postholder must carry out the duties with full regard to the Council's Community
Plan, Community Safety Strategy, Corporate Equality Plan, Health and Safety Policy
and Social Inclusion Strategy.
8. Any other duties as directed by the Legal Services Manager and ultimately the
Director of Law and Governance.
9. To carry out all duties with due regard to confidentiality and data protection
regulations.
10. The postholder is responsible for contributing to and compliance with strategies and
policies relating to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and/or
vulnerable adults.
11 To provide occasional supervision to Solicitors, Senior Legal Assistants, Legal
Assistants, Trainee Solicitors, Legal Apprentices and other junior members of staff
as and when required.
12. To deputise regularly for the Senior Solicitor (Children’s Safeguarding) and Legal
Services Manager (Safeguarding) and occasionally for the Director of Law and
Governance as and when required.
13. To assist occasionally any team in Legal and Democratic Services. This can
include working outside of normal office hours and working off site.
14. To undertake such additional duties as are reasonably commensurate with the level
of this post.

REVIEW ARRANGEMENTS:
The details contained in this Job Description reflect the content of the job at the date it was
prepared. However, it is inevitable that over time, the nature of the jobs may change.
Existing duties may no longer be required and other duties may be gained without changing
the general nature of the post or the level of responsibility entailed. Consequently, the
Council will expect to revise this Job Description from time to time and will consult with the
postholder at the appropriate time.