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 role that combines high-quality legal work, advocacy, strategic involvement and the opportunity to influence outcomes for children, families and local communities across Manchester.
 
About the Team

Manchester City Council's Legal Services team is recognisednationally for delivering innovative, high-quality public sector legalservices. The service provides legal support across Manchester and Salford CityCouncils, as well as a range of external public sector clients, and plays a keyrole in supporting strategic decision-making and policy development.

The Children & Families Legal Group provides legaladvice and representation on all matters relating to the safeguarding andprotection of children. The team combines its role advising on multi-agencysafeguarding arrangements with strategic support to Children's Services andalso provides 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 thecontinuing development of legal services supporting Children's and EducationServices, helping to deliver key objectives around permanence for children andlocality-based service delivery.

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: Solicitor, Barrister with right to conduct litigation or CILEX (with practising rights)
  • 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.
  • Satisfactory references and other pre-employment checks where applicable. 
    For more information on these checks, please visit checks page.  

Your New Role
 
As a Senior Lawyer, you will act as a legal lead and subject matter expert within the Children & Families Legal Group, managing a complex caseload while supporting the wider development of the team and service.

You will provide specialist legal advice to senior officers, clients and stakeholders, handling matters that are often high-value, complex, sensitive and strategically important.

Key responsibilities will include:
  • Managing a complex caseload of children's social care and safeguarding matters.
  • Providing expert legal advice to Children's Services and partner organisations.
  • Conducting advocacy and representing the Council in contested proceedings where appropriate.
  • Advising on complex issues relating to local government law and children's services.
  • Building and maintaining strong client relationships across the organisation.
  • Supporting and mentoring junior lawyers and assisting senior managers with team development.
  • Delivering training and guidance to clients and stakeholders.
  • Contributing to service-wide initiatives, strategy development and continuous improvement.
  • Demonstrating sound judgement and political awareness when advising on sensitive and high-profile matters.
What You'll Need to Succeed
  • Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, Chartered Lawyer or CILEX Fellow holding a current practising certificate
  • Significant experience advising on children and families law matters
  • Experience managing complex, high-value and sensitive legal cases
  • Strong advocacy, drafting and advisory skills
  • Sound understanding of local government practice and decision-making
  • Ability to build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders and client departments
  • Experience supporting or mentoring junior colleagues
  • Commitment to continuous professional development and service improvement
  • A genuine passion for public service and improving outcomes for children and families
What You'll Get in Return
  • Salary of £54,143 - £56,293 (bar at £55,224)
  • 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
  •  A defined benefit pension scheme
  •  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

8584

Supporting You Through Every Step of Your Journey

We want every candidate to feel welcomed, informed and confident when applying for a role with us.

This section brings together everything you need to succeed - from guidance on writing an authentic application to understanding how to use AI responsibly.

You’ll also find information about our Greater Manchester commitments, including our inclusive employment schemes and standards, as well as tools to help you explore your potential pay, benefits and entitlements. We’re here to ensure you have the support you need at every stage.

Working for a local authority in Greater Manchester

Local authorities across Greater Manchester are proud to be part of a shared commitment to widening access to employment and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

These commitments span a number of long‑standing schemes and initiatives designed to open doors, remove barriers and ensure all applicants feel valued and respected throughout their employment journey.

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Applying Authentically With AI: Our Greater Manchester Approach

Across Greater Manchester’s local authorities, we want to hear your genuine experiences, skills and motivations, expressed in your own words.

To keep our recruitment process fair and inclusive, please complete your application personally and follow the instructions carefully. AI can be used to support you - for example, to help structure your answers or as a reasonable adjustment - but your application should still reflect your authentic voice.

Applications that depend too heavily on AI‑generated content may not progress to shortlisting.

This guidance outlines acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI, along with suggestions for using it in a way that supports you while keeping your application true to you.

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

    AI refers to technology that can create or refine content, such as text, ideas, summaries, or planning. It can help improve productivity, problem-solving, and creativity.

    We’re open to using innovative digital tools where they can help us work smarter and deliver better services for our residents. However, every use of AI is carefully considered to make sure it is ethical, responsible, and aligned with public-sector values.

    When it comes to recruitment, we take a human-centred approach.

    This means:

    • A trained hiring manager reads every application

    • Shortlisting is based on objective criteria required for the job

    • Interviews are conducted in person or via teams by the hiring manager for the role

    • All hiring decisions are made by hiring managers, not algorithms

    AI does not make decisions in our recruitment process and our managers are being upskilled to spot AI in applications, particularly when this might have been used in a way that doesn’t feel genuine. If something in an application raises a question or concern, we will test this out with assessments or at the interview stage to confirm authenticity.

    Our aim isn’t to catch anyone out but to make sure we’re getting to know the real you, giving every candidate a fair chance and finding the right person for the role.

  2. Using AI in Your Application

    When it comes to job applications, what matters most to us is you. We want to see your personality, your experience, and what excites you about joining our team. 

    We recognise that AI can be a helpful tool to support accessibility during the application process. If you choose to use AI for support, please read the instructions carefully and make sure your application is written in your own words, reflecting your genuine skills, knowledge, experience and enthusiasm.

    We’re looking forward to hearing your story.

  3. How to use AI Effectively and Responsibly

    Your application is your chance to show us:

    • Who you are

    • What you can bring

    • The values you hold

    • Why you want to make a difference

    AI can help you organise your thoughts or improve clarity but it cannot express your unique voice, experiences, or motivations.

    AI is most helpful when used to:

    • Help you structure the information you are providing to evidence the criteria

    • Give examples of how to use STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result)

    • Proof-read to highlight grammar or spelling errors

    • Provide inspiration if you're finding it difficult to find the right words to explain something

    But remember: your honesty, lived experience, and motivations are irreplaceable.

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

    Do:

    • Use AI as a supportive tool, not a replacement

    • Ask AI to help tidy up your writing or clarify structure

    • Use it to brainstorm examples, then rewrite them in your own voice

    • Reflect on AI suggestions and adapt them to match your experience

    • Use AI to help with research, but express your understanding yourself

    Don’t:

    • Copy and paste AI-generated content directly into your application

    • Let AI exaggerate or invent experience you do not have

    • Rely on generic statements that don’t reflect the specific role requirements

    • Remove your individuality, we want to hear your voice

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