£47,181 - £50,269

A fantastic opportunity has arisen in the Council’s Legal Service who are looking for a lawyer (BG13) to join the Child Protection Team. We are a busy, friendly and supportive legal team who work closely with our client Children’s Services department to ensure positive outcomes for children and support our Corporate Strategy priorities, ensuring Bristol is a city where every child belongs and receives the best start in life, regardless of their circumstances.
 
The role will involve providing legal advice, support and advocacy to the Council and under the direction of the Team Managers, you will undertake all types of child protection legal work, providing legal advice & support to Bristol City Council Children’s Services Department to enable the City Council to meet its legal duties.
 
This is an opportunity to protect and safeguard the most vulnerable members of the city, whilst contributing to evolving policies and decision making about this complex and interesting area of law. The team deals with a wide range of child protection legal work including acting on behalf of the Council in connection with pre proceedings cases and applications to the court for Care/Supervision orders, Deprivation of Liberty and Secure Accommodation orders, Female Genital Mutilation Protection orders, Forced Marriage Protection orders, Placement and Adoption orders.
 
Working for a diverse and innovative Council, you’ll need to be quick-thinking, versatile and comfortable working with a wide range of people. It’s an exciting, intellectually challenging environment that will test your skills and knowledge to the full.
 
You can expect a varied and challenging caseload, and you will need subject area experience, strong advocacy, negotiating and advisory skills together with a good appreciation of risk management and positive approach to problem solving. Above all, you will carry out all duties in a professional and accurate manner with a client focused approach. We work hard to ensure that our people are well supported, given opportunities to develop and able to manage the demands of the job. 
 
Why Bristol City Council?

At Bristol City Council, we go that extra mile for our people; we offer a work environment which is fast moving and supportive, giving you the chance to use your skills and develop new ones within a high-profile organisation.
 
Hybrid working arrangements are available, mixing both home and office working, but time spent at the office with colleagues is encouraged. You will be expected to attend City Hall in person at least once a month to attend the whole team meeting and to appear at all levels of the Family Court at Bristol on a regular basis. Weekly attendance at the office is encouraged to strengthen team connection, create chances to share ideas and to learn from one another.
 
Join us and you’ll receive an excellent rewards package including:

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
• Access to the flexitime scheme
• Membership of the Local Government Pension scheme
• Generous annual leave allowance
• Continuing professional development opportunities
• A range of staff benefits to help boost your wellbeing and help your money go further
• A supportive environment where you’ll have the chance to make Bristol a better place and contribute to its future.

To be shortlisted for interview you’ll need to demonstrate how you meet each of the essential criteria in the Person Specification within the Further Information section of your application. On occasion we will receive high numbers of applications, we may then shortlist against the desirable criteria along with the essential criteria, so if you can, please demonstrate how you meet this in your application.
 
We're a Disability Confident employer which means we value recruiting and retaining disabled people. Any job applicants who consider themselves to be disabled and meet the essential criteria in the Person Specification are guaranteed an interview. We'll make reasonable adjustments throughout the interview process and provide continued workplace support throughout your career.
 
If you would like to discuss the role further before applying, please contact the Team Manager, Caroline Harris (caroline.harris@bristol.gov.uk)

Application closing date: 7 December 2025

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