SEND Lawyer

Use your legal expertise to make a real difference for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

The Service and Team

Youll join a supportive and purpose-driven legal team working closely with SEND Education and Childrens Services. Together youll help make sure decisions are fair lawful and focused on whats best for children and families.
Our team provides specialist legal advice across education SEND and aspects of social care. We play an important role in helping the Council meet its duties under the Children and Families Act 2014 and related legislation ensuring children and young people receive the support they need. Youll work alongside experienced colleagues and have opportunities to build your expertise and contribute to improving how we deliver our services.

The Role
As a Lawyer you will manage your own mixed caseload of SEND matters providing clear practical legal advice and representation.

You will:
Provide legal advice on SEND law and related education matters including EHC assessments plans annual reviews and placement decisions supporting the Council to meet its statutory duties
Represent the Council at SEND Tribunal proceedings including preparing case statements working documents witness evidence bundles and advocacy at hearings
Manage your caseload effectively ensuring compliance with Tribunal directions statutory deadlines and Court orders
Advise on complex and sensitive matters supporting lawful fair and robust decision-making
Build effective working relationships with council teams schools external professionals legal representatives and partner agencies
Support the Senior Lawyer in supervising and supporting junior members of the team
Liaise with support staff to ensure the efficient progression and management of cases
Maintain accurate case records and contribute to shared guidance precedents and best practice

This is a public/customer-facing role where the statutory English language requirement for public sector workers applies.

This position will be subject to a basic or standard criminal record disclosure check.

Why You Should Join Us:
Joining Cornwall Council means more than just working in a legal role its a chance to build a fulfilling career with opportunities for growth and progression. We offer a flexible supportive environment with a focus on both professional development and work-life balance. Whether through hybrid working options or flexible working hours we ensure our team members can manage both their personal and professional commitments effectively.

Dont worry if you dont have local government experience as well give you the support you need to excel with us. By joining us you will be at the forefront of building on our excellent childrens legal services for Cornwall working collaboratively with dedicated colleagues while advancing your career in a supportive environment.

As one of the largest unitary authorities in the UK youll be contributing to a wider team that ensures Cornwall has a strong and united voice when engaging with national government regional agencies and partner organisations.

Working Pattern
We are recruiting 2 Lawyers on a permanent full-time basis with flexible working and hours considered. The roles are fully remote for candidates based outside of Cornwall or hybrid working for those living within reasonable commuting distance of our Truro office.

What youll need to Succeed:
A qualified solicitor (or equivalent) with experience in childrens law or an interest in developing in this area
Experience managing a complex caseload
Strong communication skills with the ability to explain legal issues clearly
Good organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities
A collaborative approach and commitment to team working
The ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines

What youll get in return:

Cornwall Councils ambition is to be an employer of choice a high performing Council and a learning organisation. We commit to providing a reward and benefits package to attract motivate and reward our employees. We offer a range of flexible working options to our staff. This helps provide our employees with a greater work/life balance. Whilst still ensuring that service needs are met.

Our core employee rewards and benefits include:
a competitive salary.
a defined benefit pension scheme based on your career average earnings. This includes the option for extra voluntary contributions.
a generous annual leave entitlement.
a national award-winning employee health and wellbeing programme.
Employee benefits scheme giving employees access to a wide range of discounts to local and national goods and services.

Additional Information:
Cornwall Council is unable to offer visa sponsorship or transfer existing sponsorship for this role.

Please see the role profile for full details attached here.
We recommend saving a copy of this to refer to if you are invited to an interview.

For more information or an informal chat about the role please contact Samantha Wright Samantha Wright Samantha Wright and Alison White

Application Process

Please attach a supporting statement to your application you can add your Education & Qualifications details manually using the application form timeline or you can upload your CV. Remember to demonstratewhy you are suitable against each of the points marked as Application on the Role Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work / personal experience which clearly illustrates what you did and the effect it had. Guidance on how to complete your application can be found here The application process.

Please note that applications cannot be edited after they have been submitted please you have any queries or require assistance with your application.