Place your litigation expertise at the heart of government

About us

The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (Ofsted) is a well-respected regulatory body. Tasked with inspecting and regulating children’s care providers and services that deliver education to people of all ages, we underpin our assessments with realistic advice and sustainable guidance, giving each organisation and individual the chance to meet our exacting standards. Our Legal Services team provides legal advice and support across all aspects of Ofsted’s work.

This includes legal advice on a wide range of public law issues, defending decisions to cancel or refuse registration, advising and supporting in relation to complaints against inspection reports and defending any subsequent legal action. The range of work in the team is exciting and interesting, and ranges across the education, early years, further education and social care remits.

About the role

You’ll use your expertise to provide direct litigation support and to commission legal services, primarily in the area of public law. Acting as litigation advisor to senior management, you can expect to provide strategic and high-level support to HMCI and the Chief Operating Officer, as wells as to National and Regional Directors. Your advice on the management of legal challenges will underpin decision-making, ensuring that all legal implications are understood. You will also raise awareness of the risks of litigation within Ofsted and take appropriate steps to mitigate those risks.

In addition, you’ll have line management responsibility for a paralegal, coaching and motivating them, while training and mentoring other members of the legal team, as needed. From time to time, you may be asked to support the Enforcement and Appeals lawyers with their regulatory work.

About you

A solicitor or barrister with at least three years’ post-qualification experience, you will have had significant exposure to judicial reviews, alongside other civil litigation. You are likely to have experience of emergency applications and undertaking including advocacy before courts and/or tribunals. Your track-record will include providing high-calibre legal advice and guidance to senior management, colleagues and stakeholders. You’ll have the ability to identify litigation risks and underlying causes, and to develop effective solutions. Excellent written and spoken communication skills are, of course, essential.  Because of the sensitive nature of the information you will access, you will require a standard criminal record check via the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Benefits

We offer a range of benefits including a generous leave allowance,, learning and development tailored to your role, and a Civil Service pension.

To apply, please visit our website.

Closing date: by 11.55pm on 25 October 2021.