Somerset Council
Senior Lawyer - SEND
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Senior Lawyer - SEND
Senior Lawyer – SEND & Education Specialist
(Grade 8 – Permanent, 37-hour week)
Closing Date: 20 July 2026
Salary: £58,282 per annum (inclusive of a time-limited £9,000 recruitment allowance until 30 June 2029)
Role Summary
The Senior Lawyer delivers high-quality legal advice, representation, and support to Somerset Council, ensuring services remain compliant and aligned to strategic priorities.
As a senior member of the Legal Services team, you will:
- Lead on complex legal cases and projects
- Manage a varied caseload
- Support the development of junior colleagues
- Build strong relationships with clients and stakeholders
- Contribute to service improvement
- Maintain high professional standards across the function
We are seeking a specialist SEND (Special Educational Needs & Disabilities) Lawyer with expertise in procedural advocacy ous before tribunals.
Key Responsibilities
Your core responsibilities include:
Case Management & Legal Representation
- Act independently in managing a mixed caseload of SEND matters (without supervision).
- Provide expert legal advice on:
- Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) law, including:
- Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans
- Needs assessments and placement decisions
- Supporting the Council’s statutory duties under the Children and Families Act 2014.
- Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) law, including:
- Represent Somerset Council in:
- SEND tribunal proceedings, including:
- Preparing case statements and witness bundles for hearings
- Conducting advocacy at tribunal hearings
- SEND tribunal proceedings, including:
- Handle judicial reviews, complaints to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, and other legal challenges.
Advice & Documentation
- Draft and review legal documents, including:
- Settlement agreements
- Policies and internal guidance for SEND and social services teams
- Advise on legal risks in decision-making affecting children and young people.
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Training & Professional Development
- Deliver legal training and updates to:
- Council officers
- Schools
- Elected members
- Share legal developments in SEND law to ensure best practice.
Management & Collaboration
- Supervise and support junior team members.
- Foster effective relationships with:
- Principal Lawyer & Deputy Principal Lawyer
- Social Care Legal team
- Internal departments and external stakeholders
- Align legal strategy with client needs and Council objectives.
Experience & Qualifications Required
Essential Criteria
- Relevant legal qualification (one of the following):
- Solicitor (QCS) or Bar qualification (Supreme Court of England & Wales/English Bar)
- Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives (FICs)
- Substantial post-qualification experience (typically 3+ years) as a solicitor, barrister, or legal executive.
- Specialisation or significant exposure in SEND & education law, with advocacy experience relevant to tribunal appearances.
- Demonstrated ability to:
- Research complex legal issues and present them clearly to stakeholders.
- Drag legal documents (case statements, bundled evidence, policies).
- Advocate effectively in court/hearings.
- Analyse risks and provide actionable solutions.
- Excellent communication skills (ability to translate legal concepts for non-specialist audiences).
- Strong project management skills to coordinate mixed workloads and meet deadlines under pressure.
- Leadership experience (preferably in a legal supervisory or mentoring role).
**Experience in the Public Sector is a PLUS
- Experience of working in local government or the NHS in a legally complex, children-focused role.
- Familiarity with Council governance, FOI, privacy law, and environmental health regulations.
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Desirable Additional Qualifications
- Training or public engagement experience in SEND policy.
- Experience with interpretation of safeguarding and welfare law.
- Legal qualifications or practice specialisms in family law, human rights or equality law.
Personal Qualities
- Empathetic and child/young person-centred – You must understand and advocate for vulnerable groups with sensitivity.
- Judgement and integrity – Ethical approach to lawful decision-making under media/auditor scrutiny.
- Collaborative – Ability to mentor and work closely with solicitors, project managers, and HR services.
- Proactive – Willing to pursue service improvement projects that enhance Council efficiency.
- Negotiative – Talented at resolving high-risk disputes diplomatically.
Benefits & Working Arrangements
- Salary: £58,282/year (inclusive of £9,000 allowance).
- Annual leave: 33 days (plus bank holidays).
- Working pattern: Hybrid, with flexibility based on role demands.
- Relocation package: Available if applicable.
- Skilled Worker Sponsorship: Offered to eligible candidates, or sponsorship transfer facilitated.
- Community impact: Robust SEND legal support contributes directly to life improvement for Somerset’s most vulnerable children.
Next Steps
For more information or informal discussion, contact: Kehinde Awojobi E: kehinde.awojobi@somerset.gov.uk
Apply: Request a detailed job description via recruitment@somerset.gov.uk (quote reference 1024/WS) or apply via [Online Portal] (insert URL).
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