Solicitor and Team Leader

Weston-super-Mare

15/02/2026

Solicitor and Team Leader

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.

Job details

Salary

Level 12:

- £63,403 - £71,838 per annum

Contractual hours

37

Basis

Full time

Package

Permanent contract - 29 days annual leave per annum, increasing to 34 days annual leave per annum after 5 years' service

Job category/type

Legal

Date posted

02/02/2026

Job reference

CSDA
0213

Attachments attachment Solicitor and Team Leader - CSDA
0213 - Job



Job Description

Internal only This vacancy is only open to North Somerset Council employees and agency workers contracted to North Somerset Council. About Us North Somerset Council is committed to providing high-quality services to our community. We are committed to creating a fair, green, and more inclusive environment for all our residents. Join us and contribute to making a positive impact on our community.

The Role We are seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic Team Leader to join our Child Protection Legal Team. The Child Protection Legal Team are responsible for all aspects of legal work arising from Childrens Services with an emphasis on child protection advice and conducting childcare cases through both a pre-proceedings process and the Court.

In this role, you will lead and manage a team:

• To deliver high quality and effective legal services to actively support the Councils aims, objectives and priorities;
• To provide accurate and relevant legal advice and information in support of decision making and optimising the performance of the organisation;
• To work closely with Childrens Services as a principal responsibility and additionally support the management and performance across the Child Protection Legal Team to provide specialist legal advice and support to the client department in relation to the protection of vulnerable children.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Child Protection Legal Team.
• Lead on the provision of comprehensive and consistent legal advice and professional support within the principal area of responsibility.
• Manage and oversee legal casework towards positive outcomes.
• Build capability in leaders and managers in relation to legal matters relevant to their area of work.
• Oversee and support regulatory compliance in Council actions, decisions, policy and processes.
• Manage a service that is aligned to strategic direction and operational objectives.

Work Style At North Somerset Council, we offer a hybrid working environment based on four distinct work styles. Depending on the role and personal circumstances, you will fall into one of these categories. However, please note that during the induction period, it may be necessary to spend more time in the office to support your learning and development. We are flexible and open to discussions about your preferred working style, and if you wish to be in the office more frequently, this can be negotiated.

This role falls into the category of Mobile/Field Worker which means you can expect to work in the following way:

• 0-1 day in the office
• Includes field workers who primarily work remotely.
• Comes into the office for meetings or focused work. Virtual connections with the team are essential, with portable technology supporting work on the go.

Essential Criteria

About You We are looking for an individual who is passionate about the law relating to children and who possesses the following qualifications, skills and experience:

• Qualified Solicitor or Barrister holding current Practicing certificate.
• Extensive experience in the role of Solicitor or Barrister in principal area of responsibility and expert professional knowledge of specialist area of legal practice.
• Expert professional knowledge of Public Sector law and Governance arrangements.
• Managing a legal team / demonstrating leadership: able to coach, mentor and motivate a team.
• Effective relationship building with clients, demonstrating customer service excellence, communication and issues management.
• Relationship building and communication: able to influence, inform and engage with the Local Family Justice Board, neighbouring authorities, safeguarding…