We currently have a vacancy, with in our Lawyers for Young People Unit, for the post of Solicitor. Reporting to the Unit Manager, you will assist in the development of an exciting new legal service, providing high quality legal information and advice. This is a unique opportunity to be involved in a new project that brings together both the skills needed to directly advise young people with those needed to promote the project by working closely with our external stakeholders.

Ideally, you will have experience in managing legal caseloads relating to vulnerable children and young people, and will have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the issues affecting them. You will have experience both in the delivery of training and the supervision of staff in a legal environment, and experience in areas of social welfare law and/or child law. You will also have good negotiation, IT and communication skills.

The post is based in Colchester and is a temporary post, initially for 6 months, but subject to a possible extension. Hours of work will be up to 30 per week, ideally to cover Wednesday to Friday.

Interview Date:  15th March 2010

Title:

Solicitor (Part Time)

Location:

Colchester

Reward Band:

SFN:  Project Staff III £26,309 - £29,969 pro rata

Reporting to:

Unit Manager

CRB Level Required:

Enhanced

Job Purpose:

•  Provide high quality legal information and advice to young people, youth workers and others as the need arises 
  
•  Provide general support to the LFYP Team to ensure the smooth running of the department
  
•  Assist in establishing effective professional networks to promote the work of LFYP and The Children's Society
  
  

Key Activities:

• To develop and deliver a high quality legal support service to children and young people 
• To build positive relationships with legal networks 
• To represent and promote the work of the project both internally and externally.  
• To work closely with a range of internal stakeholders to ensure that the projects services are built on the experience of practitioners and the children and young people that they serve. 
• To further promote the work of the project internally and externally by the provision of legal training to relevant, identified groups. 
• To be involved in the training and supervision of volunteers and staff.  
• To support the development of the project by contributing to the on-going planning process. 
• To deputise for the Programme Manager as required . 
• To develop legal knowledge and skills, keeping up to date with the Continuing Professional Education programme.
  

Attainments:

In order to be considered for this post you will have to demonstrate that you already have:

Experience

• Experience of providing legal advice to children and young people 
• Experience in supervising, training and development of staff and/or volunteers 
• Experience of working in a team
  
  

Qualifications

•  Solicitor
  
  

Work based knowledge

• Legal issues and legislation affecting children and young people
  
  

Skills

• Ability to communicate effectively with children and young people. 
• Able to lead and work as a member of a team. 
• Clear and concise written and verbal communication skills. 
• Networking internally and externally. 
• The ability to problem-solve and plan in a creative way. 
• One-to-one working and group working. 
•  IT / Word skills able record data and send e-mails. 
• Facilitation and presentation skills including the ability to produce creative publicity materials
  
  

Core Competencies:

In order to be successful in this role you will be able to demonstrate that you have the ability to:

Managing People

Leading Others: 

• Embraces situation leadership ensuring a range of leadership styles are used effectively 
• Recognises and develops the potential of individual team members
  
  

Innovation: 

• Agree and set targets for improvement with others 
• Contribute ideas and suggestions to the development of quality assurance processes, encouraging the contribution of others
  
  
  

Leading Change

Communicating with Others: 

• Communicate others, internally and externally, on matters of longer-term significance
  
  

Building and Maintaining Partnerships: 

• Influence effectively on day-to-day matters with colleagues 
• Build effective networks with colleagues and stakeholders 
• Lead and initiate purposeful relationships across team/functions to encourage partnership working
  
  

Managing Continuity

Managing Resources: 

• Contribute to the setting of budgets 
• Manage budgets and allocate resources within them 
• Aware or work towards legal and safeguarding frameworks/standards
  

Providing Service to Others: 

• Contribute to the development and maintenance of high standards of service to others 
• Values differences in others and respects their contribution/expertise 
• Ensures that others are aware and understand safeguarding requirements 
• Identifies opportunities for children and young people to be involved in the work we do and ensure that others are aware and understand this approach
  
  

Producing Results

Managing Yourself: 

• Generate practical solutions 
• Promote Society’s image and values 
• Confidently apply knowledge and skills
  
  

Agreeing and Meeting Targets: 

• Determine and work to demanding goals 
• Take initiative to solve problems 
• Requires only general supervision
  

Special Job Circumstances:

This post has the following special circumstances: 

• Some residential time away from home for team development and/or training. 
• Able to meet the travel requirements of the post.
  

(Please note: if you have difficulty meeting these conditions because of a disability or family circumstances the appointing manager will discuss it with you in order to consider reasonable adjustments to the job or working conditions)

Relevant Personal Characteristics:

So that you personally can succeed in this role and The Society you will require: 

• To actively promote the values of The Children’s Society in your day-to-day work 
• At all times to carry out your responsibilities with due regard to the Children’s Society’s commitment to keeping children and young people safe. 
• A commitment to ensuring the needs and rights of disabled children and young people are upheld through their active participation in the work of the project and the Society. 
• A commitment to diversity and equality in working relationships and practice. 
• The ability to work both independently and as part of a team. 
• To maintain confidentiality in all aspects of the work of the project and of the Society.
• To be flexible and adaptable and be able to cope with changing priorities and demands.
  
  

Job Description Agreement:

This job description is a guide to the work you will be required to undertake. It may be changed from time to time to meet changing circumstances. It does not form part of your Contract of Employment.