Senior Lawyer (Adults)

Overview

This position is within an Adult Social Care legal team, providing specialist legal advice that enables the organization to meet its statutory responsibilities and deliver high-quality services for adults with care and support needs.

The role involves working closely with Adult Social Care professionals, senior leaders, health partners, and external agencies to deliver practical, solution-focused legal support across matters including:

• safeguarding
• Mental Capacity Act matters
• Court of Protection proceedings
• Deprivation of Liberty
• community care law
• other complex issues affecting adults who require support and protection

The role is subject to a criminal record disclosure check.

Responsibilities

• Manage a varied and complex caseload of adult social care matters.
• Advise on responsibilities arising under the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005 and related legislation.
• Conduct and oversee Court of Protection proceedings.
• Advise on Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), safeguarding enquiries and best interests decisions.
• Represent the organization in courts, tribunals and hearings as appropriate.
• Support strategic decision-making by providing clear, pragmatic legal advice to senior managers and members.
• Supervise and mentor junior lawyers and legal support staff.
• Contribute to service improvement, policy development and corporate projects.

Requirements

• Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive.
• Substantial experience in adult social care law and a strong commitment to public service.
• Significant post-qualification experience in adult social care law.
• Excellent knowledge of the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005, Human Rights Act 1998 and related legislation.
• Experience handling complex Court of Protection matters.
• Strong advocacy, drafting and negotiation skills.
• Ability to provide clear, practical advice on complex and sensitive issues.
• Experience supervising, mentoring or supporting colleagues.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Local government experience is desirable (applications from candidates with relevant specialist experience from other sectors are welcomed).

Preferred Qualifications

• Local government experience (desirable).

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary.
• Defined benefit pension scheme, based on your career average earnings, including the option for extra voluntary contributions.
• Generous annual leave entitlement with the potential to purchase additional leave.
• Employee health and wellbeing programme.
• Employee benefits scheme providing access to discounts to local and national goods and services.
• Flexible working options to support work/life balance, while ensuring service needs are met.

Location & Working Pattern

• 37 hours a week.
• Permanent, full time.
• Office based in Truro.
• Remote UK working can be considered for the right candidate.

Additional Information

• Sponsorship or transfer of existing sponsorship is not available for this role.
• Application: attach a supporting statement to demonstrate suitability against each point marked as ‘Application’ on the role profile, using examples from experience or transferable skills.
• AI use: any information provided must be an accurate reflection of your own skills, knowledge, experience and achievements. Candidates may be asked to discuss examples and evidence during selection.
• Existing employees must apply using their employer email address through the stated internal application route.
• Safeguarding: commitment to safer recruitment principles to ensure staff and volunteers are suitable to work with children, young people and adults at risk.