Lawyer - Social Care

You'll provide high-quality legal advice, undertake advocacy as required and casework that supports our Children's Social Care services and helps achieve positive outcomes for the children of Milton Keynes. You'll manage a varied caseload of children's social care matters advising on all matters relating to safeguarding children. Working closely with the Principal Lawyer and the Deputy Principal Lawyer - Social Care, you'll help us deliver timely, reliable and value-for-money legal services. You'll also build effective relationships across Milton Keynes City Council and with relevant partner organisations. This is a rewarding role for an experienced legal professional who can handle complex matters, offer clear advice and represent the council effectively. You'll contribute to our aim of making Milton Keynes a better place to live while demonstrating our values of being Dedicated, Respectful and Collaborative. This role may be suitable for home working, following an assessment. Home-based roles require a minimum of one day per week working from the office or site. We have Two fixed term for 12 months roles and a permanent role all 37 hours Interviews for this role will be held on 23 November 2026 and will be held in Person At Milton Keynes City Council, we aim to make a difference every day. We're dedicated, respectful and collaborative. We act as one council, and we work hard to create cleaner, safer and healthier communities while tackling inequalities and supporting people to thrive. We take pride in our supportive work culture and try to go that extra mile when it comes to investing in our colleagues.,

• Manage a caseload of medium-level and, where required, high-level children's social care matters, ensuring work is accurate and completed on time.
• Provide high-quality legal advice and casework to help Children's Social Care achieve positive outcomes.
• Prepare clear and accurate legal documentation to support children's social care matters.
• Research complex areas of law and provide clear, practical and understandable legal advice to clients.
• Provide legal advice and guidance to Children's Social Care colleagues.
• Build effective working relationships with council services and partner organisations while contributing to the team's performance targets and continuous improvement.
  
  A qualified Solicitor or Barrister in England and Wales, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives, or someone holding an equivalent relevant qualification and experience.
• Bringing established knowledge of local government law, you'll have experience of children's social care matters gained within a local authority or private practice.
• Skilled at legal research and drafting, you can turn complex information into clear, practical advice and accurate documentation.
• With sound professional judgement, you can identify legal risks, develop workable solutions and take timely action.
• Committed to being Dedicated, Respectful and Collaborative, you'll work well with colleagues and partners while taking ownership of your work.
  
  Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across our eight areas. Together we provide local residents and businesses with a wide range of important round-the-clock services and aim to make our city a better place to live.
We work hard because of the demands placed on us, like protecting children from harm or preventing homelessness. However, working for the city is always rewarding and everyone has the opportunity to make a real difference. We're very proud of our diversity and are committed to having a workforce that reflects the community we serve. Whatever your background, you will be welcome here if you share our values of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative. We offer great training and support and because of the size and scale of the organisation there are always new opportunities to explore when it's time for a new role. If you'd like to know more about how we do things and what matters to us, take a look at our short booklet What makes us Milton Keynes City Council. Please note that this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must already have an independent and unrestricted right to work in the UK, without the need for employer sponsorship now or in the future.


• Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years. In addition, there is a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.
• Excellent pension - everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.
• A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support.
• Access to an award-winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.
• Salary sacrifice car scheme - eligible employees can lease an electric or low-emission vehicle at a reduced cost through salary sacrifice, subject to National Minimum Wage and other eligibility requirements.
• Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.
Why join us? Along with more on our Benefits, discover why Working at the City Council could be the right move for you here Working at the Council | Milton Keynes Roles are either 'site based' or 'home based'. Site based roles are mainly based at the workplace, with the option to work from home for up to two days a week, depending on service needs. Home based roles are mainly based at home, with the expectation of attending the workplace up to one day a week. The working arrangement for each role is set by the manager, based on service requirements.