Working hours: 35 hours per week, flexible working Contract type: Time limited for 12 months Closing date: 10 September 2025 Closing time: 11.59pm Join a high-performing team of lawyers delivering outstanding results for children and families across Manchester, Rochdale, and Salford. We’re proud of our strong team structures, enriched training, mentoring and coaching, and the trust we’ve built with our clients. At the heart of our work are: As a Legal Officer, you’ll play a vital role in supporting Children’s Services across three local authorities. You’ll work closely with experienced lawyers and senior colleagues, while also managing your own caseload. This includes drafting legal documents, liaising with clients and external parties, and undertaking advocacy in family courts. We offer: Few experiences in life are more devastating than a parent or carer losing a child from their care. Supporting families through these emotionally demanding situations requires resilience, compassion, and above all, teamwork. We share knowledge, solve problems together, and support each other through challenges. This spirit of collaboration fosters deep learning, a strong sense of belonging, and a shared commitment to making a difference. If you’re ready to join a team that supports each other, grows together, and makes a real impact—we’d love to hear from you. Help us shape brighter futures. For an informal discussion, contact Gurvinder Kaur at Gurvinder.Kaur@manchester.gov.uk •★ Are your legal skills being fully recognised and rewarded? We would love to hear from you if you meet the following essential requirements: We’re the local council for one of the UK’s most vibrant and diverse cities. Working for Manchester isn’t just a job – it’s an opportunity to contribute to a city that leads change and transforms lives. Whether it’s strengthening communities or driving innovation in public services, you’ll play a vital role in creating opportunities and shaping a brighter future for everyone. Our Manchester is our vision for a fairer, greener, and healthier city – a vision shaped by the people of Manchester. It guides everything we do at the Council and is brought to life through the Our Manchester behaviours: Benefits we offer Creating an Inclusive Team at Manchester City Council At Manchester City Council, we’re dedicated to creating a workplace that truly reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, Disabled people and young people. Support During the Process Guaranteed Assessment Scheme We guarantee assessments for applicants who meet the minimum shortlisting requirements for the role and identify with at least one of the criteria below: When You Join Us We’re a Disability Confident Employer, offering: For more information about the role or any adjustments, email jobs@manchester.gov.uk. What we will need from you if you’re successful In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are therefore encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship. Pre-Employment Checks If you are successful in securing a position with us, the pre-employment checks required will depend on the role you’ve applied for. As a guide, these checks may include: These checks are an important part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our workforce and the community we serve. Other relevant information We want everyone to be able to be themselves at work and give their best. If you need additional support to undertake the duties of the role, we’ll make every effort to source any necessary aids, adaptations or equipment. If, however, any task proves to be unachievable, we will look at redesigning parts of the role. Calculate your take home pay. Use this service to estimate how much Income Tax and National Insurance you should pay for the current tax year. Employment could affect your benefits, find out more here. Turn2us Benefits Calculator.
This role is subject to:
• The safety and needs of children
• The legal representation of Children’s Services
This is a fantastic opportunity to grow your legal career within one of the largest childcare legal teams in the country. You’ll be part of a Lexcel-accredited legal service, operating in England’s first and largest devolved region—where major decisions are made locally, not in Whitehall.
• Flexible start and finish times
• A hybrid working model
• A supportive, collaborative environment
• Opportunities for professional development
•★ Do you thrive in a supportive team environment?
•★ Is your work varied and meaningful?
•★ Are you achieving your professional goals?
•★ Are you proud and passionate about Manchester?
Location
, , Manchester, , United Kingdom
