Senior Legal Advisor (Childcare)

Job Details:

Job Reference: HCC624392

Salary Range: £40,643 - £54,423 per annum, plus Market Supplement of up to £7,500 per annum (dependant on experience)

Work Location: Elizabeth II Court, Winchester (Hybrid Working)

Hours per week: 37

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 12 July 2026 

Interview Date: 16 July 2026

The Role:

Supporting the Safeguarding Children’s Team, our close-knit group of 19 enjoy working with Children’s Services to ensure vulnerable children in Hampshire are protected. Join our team with this unique opportunity.

We currently have a Legal Adviser role (Solicitor, Barrister or FILEX with litigation rights) available within our friendly team, with the remit of providing advice relating to all aspects of public children act proceedings including care proceedings, deprivation of liberty cases and adoption, including advocacy. Our roles offer the unique level of support that comes with working within this team and Hampshire County Council generally and provides a valuable opportunity to further your career in our well-respected team.

This post is being advertised at both F and G grades. You will be appointed as either a Legal Adviser or as a Senior Legal Adviser, depending on experience and qualifications relevant to the criteria in the Candidate Pack.

What you’ll do:

As a Legal Adviser, you will hold a complex case load, advising Children’s services directly on legal aspects of this specialised area of law, and how best to present cases to Court. Working with both council colleagues and external third parties, you will take responsibility for these cases, ensuring resources have been allocated appropriately and that statutory commitments are being met.

What we’re looking for:

We are looking for a Qualified Solicitor/Barrister/Filex with litigation qualification. Applications are welcomed from those newly qualified with experience in public law children proceedings.

You need good knowledge and recent experience of providing legal advice on specialism i.e child care law, good drafting skills and understanding of the concept of client care with evidence of having applied this in practice.

The work is varied, important, and fundamental to the County Council’s corporate priorities, so you will need to be highly resilient and motivated.

Why join us?

Our commitment to delivering an exceptional quality of life to our residents also extends to our employees. It is important to us that our staff feel supported in their work.

We offer a variety of benefits, which include flexible working options and furthermore, you will benefit from a competitive salary, a generous holiday allowance and access to a desirable pension scheme. 

Additional Information:

Senior Legal Advisor (Childcare) Candidate Pack

Vetting Requirements:

This post is subject to a Basic Disclosure Check.

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:

Rebecca Butler, Legal Team Leader on [email protected]