Working hours: 35 hours per week
Contract type: Permanent
Working style: Hybrid
Closing date: 6 November 2026
You must already have a valid right to work in the UK documentation, as we cannot offer visa sponsorship for this role.
This is an excellent opportunity for a newly qualified lawyer or an individual with post-qualification experience looking to build a rewarding career in public sector law. You'll join one of the largest shared legal services in the country, providing legal support to both Manchester and Salford City Councils and working on matters that have a direct impact on the lives of children, families and local communities.
About the Team
Manchester City Council's Legal Services team is recognised nationally for delivering innovative, high-quality public sector legal services. The service provides legal support across Manchester and Salford City Councils, as well as a range of external public sector clients, and plays a key role in supporting strategic decision-making and policy development.
The Children & Families Legal Group provides legal advice and representation on all matters relating to the safeguarding and protection of children. The team combines its role advising on multi-agency safeguarding arrangements with strategic support to Children's Services and also provides specialist advice on the disclosure of children's and adults' social care records and education records.
At the heart of everything the team does is:
- The safety and needs of children.
- The legal representation of Children's Services.
There is significant opportunity to contribute to the continuing development of legal services supporting Children's and Education Services, helping to deliver key objectives around permanence for children and locality-based service delivery.
Pre-employment checks
If you are successful, your appointment will be subject to completing the relevant pre-employment checks. These checks will be carried out as part of our recruitment process and includes:
- Qualification and registration: Solicitor, Barrister with right to conduct litigation or CILEX (with practising rights)
- DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance - The post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (amended in 2013). Appointable candidates will be required to apply for a Standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Information provided by you or the DBS will be dealt with in a confidential manner and in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice . We have a policy on the secure handling, storage and use of DBS information, as well as a policy on the recruitment and employment of ex-offenders. Both policies are available on request.
- If you have lived or worked abroad for 3 months or more in the last 5 years or 12 months or more (whether continuously or in total) in the last 10 years whilst aged 18 or over, please refer to GOV UK for details for how to obtain your Police check or Certificates of Good Character.
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