Principal Legal officer

Principal Legal officer - Children's Social Care Join to apply for the Principal Legal officer - Children's Social Care role at Leeds City Council Base pay range Job title: Principal Legal Officer (PO6) (Social Care Legal) Hours: 3 days per week (Total: 22 hours and 12 Minutes) Contract: Permanent Location: Leeds City Centre This is a rolling advert, however applications will be shortlisted at the end of each month. Leeds City Council operates closely with local communities and businesses to create a vibrant, economically thriving city. We serve an outstanding Children & Families Department, and seek a permanent part time Principal Legal Officer (PO6) (for 3 days per week) to practise primarily in the area of Children Social Care Law. Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to 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 Social Care. As our next Principal Legal officer (PO6), you actively support the delivery of the Council 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 of 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 3789134 or Safeena Koshar (Team Leader) on 0113 3789101 or email at rebecca.roberts@leeds.gov.uk or safeena.koshar@leeds.gov.uk Closing date for applications: 3rd November 2025 at 11:30pm Interviews shall take place periodically in the month following each round of shortlisting. 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. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying. Click apply to find out more on Leeds City Council's job site. #J-18808-Ljbffr