Head of Legal - Children's and Adults

Are you a strategic legal leader with a passion for safeguarding and social justice? We are seeking an exceptional Head of Legal Children’s and Adults to lead our specialist legal teams supporting vital services across children’s and adult social care.

About the Role

As the role has been created as the council has decided to bring the delivery of children’s and adult legal services back in house it presents an unrivalled opportunity for the successful candidate to shape the team and delivery, working in partnership with social services.

As Head of Legal Children’s and Adults, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering high-quality legal services that support the Council’s statutory responsibilities and ambitions for vulnerable residents. You will lead a team of experienced lawyers and legal officers, providing expert advice on complex matters including child protection, adult safeguarding, mental capacity, and judicial reviews.

You will be part of legal services senior management team working alongside the Head of Legal for corporate services and will report to the Assistant Director of Legal, Governance and Coroners and Monitoring Officer.

You will work closely with senior officers, elected members, and external partners, ensuring legal risk is well managed and that our services are legally robust, responsive, and aligned with best practice.

This is truly an exciting opportunity for the right candidate with the passion for children’s and adults law and the ambition to forge, develop and lead their own team to support the council in delivering its most critical of services for the residents of Rochdale.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Children’s and Adults legal teams, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Provide strategic legal advice on high-profile and sensitive cases.
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation including the Children Act, Care Act, Mental Capacity Act, and Education Acts.
• Support the Council’s transformation and improvement agendas, particularly in safeguarding and service delivery.

About You

• Qualified solicitor, senior legal executive or barrister with substantial post-qualification experience.
• Proven leadership in a public sector legal environment, ideally within local government.
• Strong understanding of local government law, governance frameworks, and statutory responsibilities.
• Excellent at communication, negotiation, and client engagement.
• A strong track record in development, supporting talent and team building.
• Commitment to Rochdale’s values and cooperative ways of working.

To apply please demonstrate how you meet the essential requirements of the person specification.

Please include reference to your qualifications that are specified on the person specification within your application.

About us

If you are interested in what we are offering and have the skills we are looking for we want to hear from you. If you would like to discuss the post further please contact Suzanne Antrobus Assistant Director Legal, Governance and Coroners and Monitoring Officer on 01706924729

Casual User Car Allowance is payable.

The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects staff to share this commitment.

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role

If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme, please indicate this within the ‘About You’ or ‘Supporting Statement’ section of your application.