Principal Lawyer - Adult Social Care

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Why you should work for us | West Northamptonshire Council

We're looking for an experienced Adult Social Care lawyer to join our Legal Services team as Principal Adult Social Care Lawyer.

This is a senior role with real influence. You'll provide expert legal advice on complex and sensitive Adult Social Care matters, working closely with senior leaders, Directors and elected Members to support key decisions across the Council. You'll also play an important part in shaping and developing our legal service, helping us deliver high-quality, practical legal advice to services that make a genuine difference to residents.

Alongside managing a varied and challenging caseload, you'll support the development of colleagues, contribute to service improvement initiatives and deputise for the Head of Legal (People) when required.

This is an excellent opportunity for a lawyer who enjoys intellectually challenging work, values collaboration and wants to be part of a modern, ambitious local authority.

Working closely with senior leaders, Directors and elected Members, you'll provide expert legal advice on some of the Council's most complex Adult Social Care matters, helping to shape decisions that support vulnerable adults and deliver positive outcomes for residents.

As a trusted adviser, you'll bring clarity and confidence to challenging legal issues, balancing risk with practical solutions and ensuring the Council can achieve its objectives while meeting its statutory responsibilities.

A key part of the role will be building strong relationships across the organisation, establishing Legal Services as a valued strategic partner and helping colleagues navigate an increasingly complex legal landscape.

Alongside your casework, you'll play an important role in developing colleagues, sharing knowledge and helping to build a high-performing, collaborative team where people can learn, grow and succeed.

The position also offers the opportunity to contribute to the future direction of Legal Services, driving continuous improvement, championing best practice and helping shape how legal support is delivered across the Council.

Experienced Adult Social Care lawyers have options. We think this role offers something genuinely different.

At West Northamptonshire Council , you'll be trusted with interesting, complex work from day one. You'll work closely with senior colleagues across the organisation, influence key decisions and help deliver services that have a real impact on people's lives.

We're an ambitious authority and we're equally ambitious about our Legal Service. We're investing in our people, developing talent from within and creating a culture where lawyers are seen as strategic partners, not just legal advisers.

You’ll join a supportive, collaborative team that values expertise, encourages innovation and gives people the autonomy to thrive. Whether you're looking to deepen your specialism, broaden your leadership experience or help shape the future of a growing legal service, you'll find the opportunity to do so here.

Alongside the opportunity to do meaningful work, this role benefits from an additional 11% Market Factor Supplement, recognising the specialist expertise required and making this one of the most attractive Adult Social Care legal opportunities in local government.

You’ll also benefit from:

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
• Ongoing training, mentoring and professional development opportunities.
• Up to 32 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• A comprehensive wellbeing offer, including an Employee Assistance…