£47,181 - £51,356 per annum

Are you looking to progress your career in Law?  If so, we are looking for a Lawyer working within our Children, Adults and Health Team within Legal Services.
 
WHAT IS INVOLVED? 
You will be responsible for initiating and conducting care proceedings under the Children’s act 1989. You will have experience of running matters within Public Law Outline and advising Children’s Services, generally, on all issues of childcare law.
 
Experience of adults legislation, including mental health, mental capacity and the Care Act would be welcome but not essential as the role will not be undertaking adult work.  You will also undertake high quality advocacy, representing the Council before courts and tribunals.
 
You can contact Julian Wilson via email at julian.wilson@durham.gov.uk or Andrea Fletcher at andrea.fletcher@durham.gov.uk to arrange an informal discussion about the role, should you wish to do so.  
 
WHAT WILL I NEED? 
You must be a Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or CILEx Litigator and Chartered Legal Executive Advocate (Family Open Court) with current practising certificate (will consider those about to qualify having completed all academic stages).
 
REWARDS AND BENEFITS

We offer generous rewards and benefits that are designed to help you perform at your best:

• Competitive salaries and 27 days holiday per year rising to 32 days after five years continuous local government service.
• Option to purchase up to 10 additional days annual leave per year.
• Excellent work/life balance through schemes including job sharing, compressed hours and flexi-time (allowing up to 13 flexi days per year).
• Hybrid working (home and office working).
• Excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). Plus, top up options - Salary Sacrifice Shared Cost AVC scheme and standard AVC scheme for members of the LGPS.
• Wellbeing Portal and access to an Employee Assist Scheme.
• Wide range of learning and development opportunities including professional qualifications, coaching and mentoring.
• Employee Benefits Portal and Lifestyle Savings Scheme (discounts across a host of major retailers).
• Discounted DCC gym membership.
• Staff networks run by staff for our staff, including Race Equality and Diversity, Disability, LGBT+, Armed Forces, Carers, Menopause.
• Trade Union membership.
• A range of other salary sacrifice schemes such as car leasing.

Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions.

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HYBRID WORKING 
Durham County Council currently operates a hybrid working policy where a model of 2 days in the workplace and 3 days at home/remote will apply. This model is pro-rated for part time roles and arrangements are at managers discretion, alternatively you can work all of your contracted hours within the workplace if you prefer. 
 
EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION
We are a proud equal opportunities employer and recognise that a diverse, talented workforce brings new ideas and new perspectives, which will facilitate growth and improvements to services. 
 
We are committed to ensuring that our employment policies and processes are fair and equitable to all.  We welcome job applications from everyone, and successful candidates are considered only on their skills and ability to do the job.
 
As a Disability Confident Leader, we encourage applications from disabled people and provide support throughout the recruitment process.

Closing date: 13 October 2025

For further information or to apply, please click on the 'Enquire/Apply' button below.