Solicitor / Lawyer

We're raising the bar in legal services.

Together, we're the moment makers

Lawyer – Adult social care and Litigation

About the role

Do you want a values-centred career that transforms local people's lives every day? Our Lawyers are a crucial part of our in-house legal team and will provide high quality legal advice, supporting council directorates and corporate services with proactive legal advice and collaborative working to meet our customer and community needs. With our new structure, our roles are career graded which will allow you to develop and progress your career with Oxfordshire County Council.

We're looking for enthusiastic and motivated lawyers to join our Adult Social Care and Litigation Team. You will provide legal advice, guidance and representation to the client department on a wide range of matters pertaining to criminal litigation, civil litigation, adult social care or education law. The role will involve preparing cases for Court and providing legal advice that identifies the risks and consequences of the different options available. Advocacy is encouraged.

We are looking for a candidate who displays professionalism, excellent communication, is able to adapt to the needs of the client and work under pressure, whilst remaining positive and solutions focused. We are looking for an enthusiastic team player, interested in building positive relationships within the team and client departments, who is also confident, independent and is comfortable recognising and managing corporate risk.

Our Adult Social Care and Litigation Team is very much in its formative stages following a recent restructuring, which means that you have the opportunity to shape your role and the team itself to ensure we deliver a service of excellence.

About us

Together, we're the moment makers and we're focussed on making every day the best it can be for our residents. Whatever you do here, you'll look around and say, "I make a difference", because we're all creating lasting change to people's lives in Oxfordshire.

It's not a job – it's a passion and together, we're shaping legal services for the future. Every day, our colleagues are helping to transform the lives of the residents of Oxfordshire by supporting them to live the lives they want to live.

Oxfordshire County Council's legal service is on an exciting journey of transformation and re-shaping. We've re-designed and created a brand-new legal team structure to ensure our legal services can deliver for the future, now.

Our new structure has multiple entry routes, clear career progression and career graded pay so you can make the most of your career and development, whilst working for the common good of our communities.

Everyday you'll be challenged in a new way, supported by your team, in an organisation that is free thinking, flexible, and helps people achieve their ambitions.

Our residents are at the heart of everything we do and our approach to supporting them must be as diverse as they are. We're not afraid to do things differently and our dynamic culture means this is a place where new ideas are embraced, and innovation thrives.

We believe that together, our differences make us stronger, and that diversity is the foundation for innovation. Here, you can create a unique career for yourself – while raising the bar for the future of UK legal services, together.

Legal Services at Oxfordshire County Council provides key legal and corporate governance advice to all service areas of the council. There are four main legal teams: (1) Environment (2) Adult Social Care, and Litigation (3) Children and Families and (4) Contracts and Conveyancing.

Are you in?

About you

You're free-thinking and brave, and that sets you apart. You'll be supportive and energised; you don't accept the norm if it can be done better - finding answers through exploration and courage.

NQ Solicitor/CILEX Lawyer

1. Newly qualified Solicitor/ NQ CILEX Lawyer / NQ Barrister or qualified solicitor/CILEX lawyer/barrister.

Solicitor 1

1. Solicitor/CILEX Lawyer/barrister who can match Solicitor 1 core competencies (Legal Services Core Competency Framework).

Solicitor 2

1. Solicitor/CILEX lawyer/barrister with significant experience in subject area and matching core competencies Solicitor 2 (Legal Services Core Competency Framework).

In addition to the above qualifications, you will also;

1. Have excellent knowledge and understanding of relevant areas of law and practice; ability to research quickly in unknown areas of law, learn new areas of law and make a professional judgement and provide accurate and definitive advice.
2. Have experience working within a legal practice/in house legal department. This is desirable however we will consider candidates with similar prior experience and demonstrable transferrable skills.
3. Be able to manage your own caseload.

Fundamentally, you'll be passionate about delivering stand-out public services, because we're here to make every moment the best it can be for the residents of Oxfordshire.

This role allows for Hybrid Working with travel to Oxford required a minimum of one day per week.

Rewards and benefits

1. Technology to support agile working where role permits.
2. Up to 33 days holiday p.a. plus bank holidays.
3. Option to 'buy' additional holiday.
4. Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support.
5. Membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, with an employer's contribution of up to 19.9%.
6. Enhanced family friendly policies.
7. Local and national discounts for shopping and travel.
8. Great learning and development opportunities to support your ongoing development.

Our commitment to:
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.

Our commitment to:
Guaranteed Interview Schemes

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.

Our commitment to:
Safeguarding

Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.

Our commitment to:
Flexible Working

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.

Follow us on Social Media

Stay up-to-date with the latest news and featured jobs from Oxfordshire County Council by following us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

If you encounter any technical issues with the application system, please contact us at: careers@oxfordshire.gov.uk