Job Description
Salary: £46,162 – £51,356 per annum | Full Time, 37 hours per week | Fixed Term 2 year contract | Preston (Hybrid)
Are you an experienced Education Lawyer looking to do work that genuinely matters?
Lancashire County Council is seeking a skilled and motivated education law professional to join our Legal and Governance Service on a fixed‑term basis. This is a fantastic opportunity to work at the heart of a large, values‑driven organisation, supporting services that make a real difference to children, families, and schools across Lancashire.
You’ll be joining a supportive, collaborative legal team that values expertise, autonomy, and practical problem‑solving. The work is varied, challenging, and highly rewarding, with a strong focus on Special Educational Needs (SEND) and public law.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Providing specialist legal advice on education law, with particular emphasis on Judicial Review challenges relating to SEND provision and funding
- Advising internal clients on statutory duties, education policy, and best practice
- Supporting schools through service level agreements, offering clear, pragmatic legal guidance
- Managing a diverse caseload covering:
- parental and placement disputes
- contact and attendance matters
- disability discrimination claims
- education‑related property issues
- Drafting robust legal responses, court applications, and instructions to counsel
- Undertaking advocacy where appropriate
What We’re Looking For
- Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or Chartered Legal Executive with a current practising certificate
- Proven experience in education law, ideally within a local authority or similar public sector environment
- Confidence advising on complex statutory frameworks and contributing to policy development
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and work with minimal supervision
- A practical, proportionate approach to delivering legally sound solutions aligned with organisational policy
Apply now and be part of a team where your work has real purpose — and where your legal career can continue to grow. For an informal discussion, please contact Ian.Bullen@lancashire.gov.uk.
Closing Date
17/05/2026
Why join us?
By joining Lancashire County Council, you can shape the career path that is right for you, with opportunities to gain personal and professional qualifications, coaching, and mentoring. Lancashire County Council truly is the place where you can have the career you've always wanted.
In return for your passion and expertise, we offer a generous benefits package, which includes:
- A competitive salary and Local Government Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions.
- A great holiday entitlement of 26 days annual leave, which increases with length of service. You will also be entitled to 8 Bank Holidays, 2 additional statutory Bank Holidays, and have the option to buy additional leave each year.
- Our staff discount scheme in partnership with Vivup, allowing you to access discounts with a range of UK retailers, saving on everything from weekly food shops to white goods and cars.
- Access to fantastic development and career opportunities.
Please ensure you upload a supporting statement demonstrating how you meet the criteria for the role.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications.
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