Working hours: 35 hours per week
Contract type: Permanent
Working style: Hybrid
Closing date: 6 November 2026
 
You must already have a valid right to work in the UK documentation, as we cannot offer visa sponsorship for this role.
 
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced children and families lawyer seeking a senior leadership position that combines complex casework, strategic influence, team leadership and specialist expertise. You'll play a key role in shaping legal services, supporting Children's Services and safeguarding vulnerable children whilst working on some of the most significant and politically sensitive matters facing local government.

About the Team

Manchester City Council's Legal Services team is recognised nationally for delivering innovative, high-quality public sector legal services. As the largest shared legal service in the country, the team provides legal support across Manchester City Council, Salford City Council, and a range of external public sector clients.

The Children & Families Legal Group provides legal advice and representation on all matters relating to the safeguarding and protection of children. The team combines its role advising on multi-agency safeguarding arrangements with strategic support to Children's Services, whilst also providing specialist advice on the disclosure of children's and adults' social care records and education records.

At the heart of everything the team does is:
  • The safety and needs of children.
  •  The legal representation of Children's Services.
There is significant opportunity to contribute to the continued development of legal services supporting Children's and Education Services, helping to deliver key objectives around permanence for children and locality-based service delivery across Manchester.

Your New Role
As a Principal Lawyer Technical Specialist, you will act as the leading subject matter expert on public law children's matters within the service, providing specialist legal advice on complex, high-value and politically sensitive matters.

You will take responsibility for a significant personal caseload whilst also playing a key role within the wider management team, supporting service development, mentoring colleagues and helping to shape the strategic direction of the Children & Families Legal Group.

Key responsibilities will include:
  • Managing a personal caseload of complex, high-value and politically sensitive public law children's matters
  • Acting as a technical specialist and trusted advisor to senior officers, elected members and stakeholders
  • Providing strategic legal advice to support decision-making across Manchester City Council, Salford City Council and partner organisations
  • Leading on complex legal issues, policy development and service improvement initiatives
  • Supporting and deputising for senior management within the Group where required
  • Supervising, mentoring and developing legally qualified staff and supporting the professional growth of colleagues
  • Allocating and overseeing complex legal work across the team
  • Delivering training, legal updates and professional development activities
  • Building and maintaining strong client relationships across multiple public sector organisations
  • Representing the service on strategic boards, groups and partnership forums
  • Undertaking advocacy where required
Pre-employment checks
If you are successful, your appointment will be subject to completing the relevant pre-employment checks. These checks will be carried out as part of our recruitment process and includes:
  • Qualification and Registration - Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, Chartered Lawyer or CILEX Fellow holding a current practising certificate.
  • DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance- The post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (amended in 2013). Appointable candidates will be required to apply for a Standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Information provided by you or the DBS will be dealt with in a confidential manner and in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice . We have a policy on the secure handling, storage and use of DBS information, as well as a policy on the recruitment and employment of ex-offenders. Both policies are available on request.
  • If you have lived or worked abroad for 3 months or more in the last 5 years or 12 months or more (whether continuously or in total) in the last 10 years whilst aged 18 or over, please refer to GOV UK for details for how to obtain your Police check or Certificates of Good Character.
For more information on these checks, please visit checks page. 

What You'll Need to Succeed
  • Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, Chartered Lawyer or CILEX Fellow holding a current practising certificate
  • Extensive experience advising on children and families law matters, particularly public law children work
  • Strong expertise managing complex, high-value and sensitive legal cases
  • Experience providing strategic legal advice to senior stakeholders
  • Excellent advocacy, drafting and negotiation skills
  • Strong understanding of local government practice and decision-making
  • Experience supervising, mentoring or managing legal professionals
  • Ability to influence, lead and build effective relationships across a wide range of stakeholders
  • Commitment to continuous professional development, service improvement and innovation
What You'll Get in Return
  • Salary of £57,786 to £61,686 (bar at £60,428)
  • Opportunity to join one of the UK's largest and most respected local authority legal teams
  • Exposure to complex, high-profile and rewarding children and families work
  • Excellent opportunities for professional development and career progression
  • Supportive and collaborative team culture
  • Flexible working arrangements
  • The opportunity to make a meaningful difference to the lives of children and families across Manchester
About Manchester City Council Legal Services

Manchester City Council's Legal Services team is the largest shared legal service in the country and has held the Lexcel quality standard since 2007. The team supports a wide range of high-profile, complex and innovative projects across the city, delivering legal services that directly contribute to the Council's mission and the wellbeing of its communities.

If you're looking to build your career in children and families law within a supportive, forward-thinking and highly respected legal team, we'd love to hear from you.
 

Use of AI

You may use AI to support your application, but all examples must be your own and based on real experience. Applications may be withdrawn if content is misleading or presents someone else's experience as your own. Internal candidates may also face disciplinary action.

Guaranteed Assessment Scheme 
Applicants who meet the essential shortlisting criteria and are eligible under the Guaranteed Assessment Scheme will be progressed to the assessment stage.  

Support and Adjustments  
If you're successful in securing a role, we'll make every effort to provide the support, equipment and reasonable adjustments you need to carry out your duties. Where needed, we'll consider adapting aspects of the role. Find out more about our inclusion and wellbeing. 


Working for Manchester City Council is a chance to make a real difference in a diverse city. You’ll help improve lives and support our local communities. Working together, we can create better public services for everyone. 

Benefits we offer 

  • Up to 26 days’ annual leave, rising to 31 days after five years’ service 

  • Buy up to two extra weeks’ leave 

  • Up to 3 days’ volunteering leave  

  • A 35-hour work week for full-time roles 

  • We review pay each year and recognise three trade unions 

  • Enhanced parental and carers leave  

  • Employee discounts and perks  

Learn more at Careers - Manchester City Council 

Our commitment to inclusion 

At Manchester City Council, we're dedicated to creating a workplace that fully reflects the diversity of our local communities. We actively encourage applications from people of all ages and backgrounds and are particularly keen to hear from applicants from ethnic minority communities and disabled people, who remain underrepresented in parts of our workforce. 

GM Elevate Programme 

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

 

Accessible Formats: 
Use ReciteMe  through the "Accessibility tools" button at the top of our careers page. It has tools such as text-to-speech, language translations, and adjustable text size and colour. 

Calculate your take home pay. 

Privacy Notice 

Ready to apply?

Location

, , Manchester, , United Kingdom

Job ID

8585

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  1. What Is AI and How Do We Use It Across Greater Manchester?

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    We’re looking forward to hearing your story.

  3. How to use AI Effectively and Responsibly

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  4. Do’s and Don’ts for Using AI in the Recruitment Process

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    • Remove your individuality, we want to hear your voice

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