Disclosure Lawyer - Family and Crime

About The Role

Working Hours: 35 hours per week, with flexible and agile working.

Contract Type: Full Time, Permanent

Closing Date: 11.59pm, 30 November 2025

Interview method: In person

Role overview

This role is a Disclosure Lawyer within the Children and Families Legal Team. You will provide legal advice to children's services, with a focus on third-party disclosure of social care records to support criminal investigations and prosecutions of serious offences against children. You will also manage a diverse caseload of legal disclosure matters, including third party disclosure to family courts, tribunals and other regulatory bodies, and undertake advocacy before courts and tribunals.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice to children's services on statutory functions with a specialist focus on third-party disclosure of social care records.
• Manage a diverse caseload of legal disclosure matters, including third party disclosure to Family Courts, Tribunals and other regulatory bodies.
• Undertake advocacy before the Court and Tribunals for own matters and in support of other lawyers and legal officers within the team.
• Represent the local authority at regular meetings with key stakeholders (e.g., police and Crown Prosecution Service) and at court hearings and tribunals.

Qualifications and requirements

• Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or CILEX Fellow (with Advocacy Certificate to the specific area of work of the team, i.e. Civil, Criminal or Family).
• DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance required; standard DBS check applicable for appointable candidates. Information provided will be dealt with confidentially in line with DBS Code of Practice.
• Two references (three years' history where possible).

About the organisation and environment

Manchester City Council's Children's Services working in partnership with Police and external safeguarding partners to deliver safe, efficient and effective services. The team provides an innovative, responsive, inclusive and transparent legal service with strong training, mentoring and coaching frameworks.

Benefits and working culture

• Generous holiday allowance: up to 26 days per year, increasing to 31 days after five years, with option to purchase up to two additional weeks.
• New and enhanced pension benefits with life cover of three-times salary.
• Enhanced parental and carers leave and a suite of wellbeing and flexibility options.
• Access to discounts and perks (e.g., MCR+ discounts, cycle to work, health benefits).
• Learning and development opportunities across workshops, training, apprenticeships and onboarding.
• Commitment to fair, flexible work with annual pay reviews and formal union recognition.
• Up to 3 days volunteering leave per year (pro-rata).

Equality, diversity and inclusion

We are committed to creating an inclusive team that reflects the communities we serve and welcome applications from all backgrounds, including Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities, Disabled people and young people.

Support during the process

We offer interview adjustments and accessible formats to support applicants with adjustments needed during the selection process.

Pre-employment information

Applicants must be eligible to work in the UK. The role is not supported for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route; candidates should consider their right to work options accordingly.