At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead SEN Lawyer managing complex cases and providing expert legal advice.
- Company: Hertfordshire County Council, shaping local services with a focus on inclusivity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team during an exciting period of local government reorganisation.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families through impactful legal work.
- Qualifications: Recognised legal qualification and significant experience in SEN litigation required.
The predicted salary is between 63471 - 71045 $ per year.
Working Hours: 37.0
Location: Stevenage with hybrid working opportunities
Contract Type: Permanent
Directorate: Resources
About the team
Acting as lead expert in area of SEN law, relying on significant professional and technical expertise to deliver expert level advice on a range of complex issues, and effectively managing the competing priorities of a busy caseload. The role is part of a multidisciplinary Team that undertakes work in relation to Adults, Children, Health and Education.
About the role
An experienced and enthusiastic Lead Lawyer to represent the Local Authority principally in First Tier Tribunal hearings concerning Special Educational Needs at all levels of complexity and with responsibility for managing a personal case load. You will also be expected to:
- Ensure that the client departments' decisions are made within legal boundaries and achieve their aims and objectives and accord with Local Authority policy.
- Provide expert level advice to senior professionals within key Client departments and members as required.
- Have experience of providing SEN law support to Local Authority or similar public sector organisation.
- Draft all documents related to the effective conduct of the hearings including preliminary documents.
- Identify the key issues in the case and formulate cogent and compelling arguments.
- Have experience in Advocacy within the First Tier Tribunal.
- Be client facing and have regular contact with the First Tier Tribunal and solicitors/counsel instructed by parents.
- Provide supervisory support to lawyers, trainees and paralegals on SEN Law matters.
- Ensure strong governance and local authority awareness to ensure Council compliance in decision making in relevant area, and support relevant Committees as required.
- Engage in continuous professional development to keep up to date across best practice and new legislation/case law for the area, ensuring sharing of this information across the team.
About you
You will need to have a recognised legal qualification as a Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive. Significant experience in SEN litigation. Demonstrable people management skills. Excellent time management skills with the ability to manage a busy caseload. Continuous professional development to keep up to date across best practice and new legislation/case law for the area, ensuring sharing of this information across the team. Strong governance and local authority awareness to ensure Council compliance in decision making in relevant area, and supporting relevant Committees as required.
We welcome applications from candidates who currently reside in the UK with established proof of right to work documentation. We are not able to offer sponsorship at this time for this role.
Additional information
Hertfordshire County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), creating a unique opportunity to help shape the future of local services.
Disability Confident
We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
English Fluency
The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.
Lead Sen Lawyer employer: Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritizes professional development and collaboration within a multidisciplinary team. Located in Stevenage, the role of Lead SEN Lawyer not only provides competitive salaries and hybrid working opportunities but also allows you to make a meaningful impact on local services during a transformative period in local government. Join us to advance your career while contributing to the community and ensuring compliance with legal standards.
