Principal Lawyer - Community Services Team

About the role

Pay Details: £51,356 - £54,495 (Pro Rata), £26.62 - £28.25 Per Hour, (plus Market Forces Supplement of £8,000).
Hours of Work / Working Pattern: 37 Hours per week
Main Place of Work: Civic Offices, Barry and Hybrid Working,

Contract Type Permanent

We are recruiting a Principal Lawyer / Team Leader to lead and strengthen our Community Services legal function, influencing safeguarding decisions, supporting statutory responsibilities and ensuring high-risk matters are handled with confidence and care. You will:

• Lead, mentor and support a team of specialist lawyers and support staff within the Community Services Legal Team.
• Manage a complex caseload including children's public law proceedings, child protection, adoption, fostering and related education matters.
• Provide confident, timely and risk-aware legal advice to officers, senior managers and Members in sensitive and time-critical situations.
• Represent the Council in Family Court proceedings and manage contested and high-risk litigation.
• Strengthen early legal engagement in safeguarding decisions, promoting proportionate, defensible and well-evidenced practice.
• Promote strong governance, excellent client care and modern, resilient legal practice.

What we offer:

• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements
• Relocation support (where applicable)
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Family-friendly policies
• Wellbeing support
• Ongoing professional development and leadership development opportunities

Additional information

How to apply:

You can apply for this post through the Council webpage 'Job Vacancies'

Interested?

If you are interested in the role and would like an informal conversation, then please contact: Justine Cass - Operational Manager, Legal Services, Email: or Victoria Davidson, Monitoring Officer / Head of Legal and Democratic Services, Email: