As a Paralegal in the Childcare Team in Legal Services for Suffolk County Council (SCC) you will have the opportunity to be involved in a wide range of issues and gain a firm foundation for your career as a rounded legal professional.
You'll be providing crucial support to lawyers, advocates and caseworkers by performing administrative tasks such as file and diary management; preparing Court bundles and managing documents for disclosure; and communicating with the courts and opposing parties in litigation.
You will be given the opportunity to develop your legal skills, through research projects; gathering and analysing evidence; attending internal and external meetings and Court hearings; drafting Court documentation and correspondence; and advising client officers.
You'll also be working closely with client officers and gaining the opportunity to build lasting and satisfying relationships that really make a difference to the organisation.
There will be the training and supervision that you need to fulfil the role effectively, and working collaboratively with colleagues., You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (docx). If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The team
Legal Services is made up of teams specialising in Safeguarding (Children and Adults), Education, Commercial, Planning, Property & Highways; Disputes & Employment, and Local Land Charges. Paralegals are enabled to move between the teams, when required by the needs of the organisation, which brings opportunities for building a broad skillset and identifying routes for career development.
Our office days are usually on Tuesdays and Thursdays, though there are times when additional presence in the office may be needed, for example to meet client officers or other parties involved in our cases.

Empowering Everyone
We're big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We're always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report, Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template.
1. Tell us about a time you had to keep up with legal developments and expand your legal knowledge and expertise. How did you go about this, and what was the impact on your work?
2. Describe a situation where you had to work as part of a team to achieve a goal. What skills and qualities did you contribute, and what did you learn from others in the team?
3. Tell us about a situation where you participated in training and development initiatives for staff. How did you contribute to these efforts, and what was the outcome?
Step 4 - Upload a CV (without name and personal details).

functional English and Maths qualifications (e.g., GCSE, etc), or the ability to demonstrate the relevant skills in these areas
- degree, preferably in Law, and/or experience in a legal setting
- excellent organisational skills and attention to detail
- ability to use and adapt to technology to promote efficiency and productivity
- a flexible but rigorous approach to your work
- clear and professional communication
- a willingness and aptitude for learning
- to enjoy collaborating with colleagues and client officers
- to organise your time and resources, and prioritise effectively
- desire to help further the council's objectives and support excellent service delivery
- to bring your own values, experience and insights to enhance the team and help develop the department as a whole., Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to .

£27,711 per annum (pro rata for part time)
- 37 hours per week - Flexible working options available
- Permanent

As a modern, flexible and effective organisation, we're driven to make a positive difference to the environment, the communities we serve and the careers of our people. That's why, when you join us as a Paralegal in the Childcare team, you'll be encouraged to share your fresh thinking and empowered to explore new ideas that will shape and improve our services as well as your career.
Reimagine the possibilities, This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Hybrid
As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We're driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.
In return, you'll enjoy:

up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
diverse and active staff networks
flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

Plus lots more!